ENTERTAINED BY SAILORS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3802, 25 January 1927, Page 9

ENTERTAINED BY SAILORS.

AUCKLAND, January 18. Gay scenes were witnessed on H.M.S. Diompde <bis afternoon, when Captain J. S. M. Ritchie and his officers gave an enjoyable children’s party to about 80 of their young friends. The visitors were taken to the cruiser by motor launch, and "thev found that great preparations had been made for their arrival. Special awnings had been erected on several decks, and the guns, hatches, cranes, and other ship’s gear had been, most successfully camouflaged with bunting, flags, and evergreens. From the bridge to the fojedeck an aerial railway was constructed, the motive power one way being provided, by gravitation, and. the Thompson sounding machine being utilised for the return journey. This attraction was well patronised by the young folk, and even some of the officers were seen in a specially-built carriage. Two other popular attractions were an- electric merry-go-rcund built on a capstan on the after-deck, and carrying gaily-coloured hobby horses, geese, and motor cars, and a “slip on the mat” from the bridges to the foredeck.

The ship's band played lively music. After tea a Christmas tiee was disclosed, * and Father Christmas appeared in a cloud of smoke from a hole in the deck. He gave each child a present. vv Commodore G. T. P. C. Swabey and several officers from H.M.S. Dunedin were present.