ADMIRAL JELLICOE

Otago Witness, Issue 3419, 26 September 1919, Page 28

ADMIRAL JELLICOE

RECEPTION IN AUCKLAND

AUCKLAND, September 23. Admiral Jellicoe made an official landing this morning. He was welcomed on the wharf by the chairman of the Harbour Board, und presented with a handsome souvenir book containing an address and water-colour sketches of the harbour. The Admiral simply expressed his acknowledgments.

After an inspection of the Boy Scouts and Veterans, Lord Jellicoe proceeded to the Town Hall, where a civic reception was held.

The weather was showery, but the streets were lined with crowds of people. Speaking at the reception. Lord Jellicoe said: "I want to say, on behalf of the officers and men—especially the unmarried ones, —thrt the more we see of the New Zealand ladies the more we want to see.— (Applause.) Indeed, in the minds of some of us—especially in the mind of the captain, of the New Zealand, —there must occasionally come the thought as to whether he will have anybody left to man the ship by the time she arrives Home in England, because we are constantly meeting with requests from various portions of the ship that ' urgent, business' —(laughter) —has arisen which necessitates the presence of such-and-such an officer or man in New Zealand or some other part of the Empire which the New Zealand has visited. We do not know any special reason, but we can guess it. Occasionally the truth is revealed when the banns are' published on Sunday morning—(laughter) ;—but, at any rate, what we want is to see as much as possible of this great dominion." Lord Jellicoe also said: "There are problems in these waters of the Pacific which are' unknown, but which may in future lead to trouble. "We devoutly hope, as everybody in the Empire must hope,_that.the League of Nations will minimise, in future, uny possible danger of war; but I do not think that there are many members of this great Empire who arc prepared to stake their all upon the efficacy of a body which has not yet really come into being. I cannot but think that, at any rate, until that body has proved itself, the British Empire will be wise to trust in the future as it has trusted in the past to the of the British navy.—(Applause.) The arm of which you were reminded just now has never been raised e,xcept for defensive purposes and for the furtherance of justice and civilisation in the Empire. The navy is but an insurance for safety, as a wise man insures his goods, his house, and everything he has. I believe that it will be the common opinion in the British Empire, that it is wise to insure the Empire—(applause); —and insurance, if judged by the expenses of this late war, demands a very small premium when one comes to think of the seven to eight millions a day that were spent on the war. The small sum required to ensure safetv, by the aid of a supreme navy, is as nothing, and it is not a matter that admits of any great delay. I would remand you that it takes nine years to make a lieutenant in the Royal Navy, and it takes about five, years' before a boy, entering a training ship, is fit to become an able "seaman and a gunlayer. Therefore, naval affairs do not admit of procrastination, and if the nation, or a portion of the Empire, desires to help in naval defence, I Bay it should help now."—(Cheers.)

MEMORIAL UNVEILED.

AUCKLAND, * September 24

Thousands of citizens visited the NewZealand today, and the officers and crew were entertained, at various functions. A naval and military ball to-night was a brilliant function, Lord and Ladv Jellicoe and staff attending. Admiral Jellicoe inspected . the Calliope dock to-day, and unveiled a memorial to the late Lieutenant-commander Sanders, V.C., D. 5.0., at the Takapuna School. A striking tribute to the splendid valour and leadership of the late Lieutenant-commander Sanders was paid by Admiral Jellicoe. Three Victoria Cross winners were present at the ceremony —Lieutenants Bassett and Judson and Private J. Crichton. Admiral Jellicoe said Lieutenant-commander Sanders was promoted to his rank within 12 months of joining the service, and this, as far as he was aware, was almost a record. He detailed the last gallant fight made by the Prize when torpedoed out of range. That, said the admiral, was the end of as gallai.t a craft and as gallant a captain and crew as ever sailed the seas.

NAPIER, September 22.

Jti.M.S. New Zealand visited Napier yesterday for about an hour. The warship did not come alongside the -breakwater. A large crowd watched her from the marine parade

GISBORNE, September 22

Glorious weather favoured the visit of tho New Zealand, which called in at the roadstead en route to Auckland yesterday afternoon. Crowds lined the beaches and hillsides. A large number of schoolboys were taken out in the tenders, and they cheered the New Zealand as she slowly steamed by. The acting chairman of the Harbour Board gave official greetings to the Admiral, who expressed regret that the stay was_ so short. As the warship departed the ship's band played "Auld Lang Syne."