A MOTOR OUTING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1735, 5 September 1919, Page 8

A MOTOR OUTING.

LITTLE RIVER VISITED. This morning a happy crowd of 180 petty officers and men from H.M.S. New Zealand were disgorged from the 10.45 train, where they were met by members of the Canterbury Automobile Association with some 70 cars. The clerk of the weather appeared to have relented after his effort of the earlier part of the week, and the party was welcomed in the brightest of sunshine.

By 11.5 a.m. the last of the cars, loaded with a cheery cargo of smiling bluejackets, moved off from the station, en route for Little Eiver, where,a sports programme will be gone through. The entertainment of the party is iu the hands of the ladies of Little River.

THE TRAIN SERVICE. The Mayor is endeavouring to arrange for special trains to leave Christchurch daily for Lyttelton, at 1.30 and 2 p.m., and to return from Lyttelton at i and 4.30 p.m., so that citizens may have every opportunity of seeing the battleship. He telegraphed yesterday to Mr R. W. McVilly, General Manager of the* New Zealand Railways: "On Sunday most people will be able to visit H.M.S. New Zealand. Kindly arrange for some passenger trains. People here are incensed at no specials being put on. Kindly advise. Urgent." Dr Thacker last evening received word from Mr B. M. Wilson, of the Government Tourist Department, that Mr W. Stringleman, local traffic manager, had written stating that provision for special trains would be made but further arrangements could not be made until the hours on which the warship would be open had been ascertained.

BILLETING ARRANGEMENTS. The new draft of liberty men from H.M.S. New Zealand, who have to-day journeyed by motor car to Little River, will be billeted in the city to-night. Mr R. A. Kenner, secretary of the Christchurch branch of the Y.M.C.A., this morning informed a representative of The Son that arrangements for the accommodation of the men were going ahead very smoothly. All the billeting would be done from the Y.M.C.A. Inquiry Bureau in Cathedral Square, whence the sailors will go to the homes of their allotted hosts, hotels or the Y.M.C.A., as the case might be. JOTTINGS. ■ Yesterday afternoon, Admiral Viscount Jellicoe, in mufti, motored with the Mayor (Dr 11. T. J. Thacker, M.P.) to. Mount Pleasant, where the Admiral had a good view of the Estuary, the channel, and the Canal Reserve. The Mayor gave the Admiral many details regarding the proposed port, and pointed out its advantages. At Mount Pleasant maps and charts were shown to the Admiral who manifested great interest in the scheme. H.M.S. New Zealand will be open to

visitors tomorrow from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Canterbury Officers' Club will entertain the Admiral's staff and the officers of H.M.S. New Zealand on Wednesday evening. v > A large number of people, unaware that the cruiser was closed to the public yesterday proceeded to port by the 10 a.m. train from the city, and were greatly disppointed at not being allowed to board the vessel. As many of them: had come from country districts to inspect the ship, the visitors were ulti- - mately allowed to make a tour of the vessel. The New Zealand Sea Scouts were conducted over the cruiser yesterday by the gunnery instructors. Another, shooting party from the New Zealand were the guests of Mr and Mrs Harold Gardiner at Purau this morning. A banquet will be given to the sailors of H.M.S. New Zealand on Monday evening in the Seamen's Institute, Lyttelton. The Mayor of Lyttelton (Mr W. T. Lester) has requested the citizens to observe Saturday as a^holiday. Lady Jellicoe, accompanied by Mrs "VVigram paid a visit yesterday to the Christchurch Karitane Baby Hospital. The ladies were met by the committee and escorted over the hospital, Lady Jellicoe being very interested in the babies, and admiring the hospital surroundings. The Mayor has to-day issued an appeal to citizens to observe Saturday, September 6, as a whole holiday. • In accordance with a resolution passed by the Returned Soldiers' Association to the effect that, if it were impossible for firms employing,returned soldiers to close premises to-morrow, thny would release returned men, without loss of salary, to take part in the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new club, the following firms, whose premises and factories will remain open have decided to comply with the association's request:— Christchurch Retail Drapers' Association ; Christchurch Grocers' Association; Christchurch Wholesale Clothing Manufacturing Association; Christchurch Furniture Trade and Engineering and Agricultural Implement Association, and the Master Printers' Association.

At 10 a.m. on Sunday, previous to Matins, the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral will he presented by Admiral Viscount Jellieoe with a White Ensign. The congregation will enter through the north or south door. The west door will not be open to tho public. The Mayor of Christehurch (Dr H. T. J. Tbaclcer, M.P.) makes a strong appeal for all employers to observe a whole holiday to-morrow. VESSEL CLOSED ON SUNDAY. Owing to the fact that officers and men of K.M.S. New Zealand will attend divine service at the Anglican Cathedral on Sunday, the vessel will not be open to visitors on that day. The general public will be admitted on Monday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. ENTERTAINMENT FIXTURES. The following are the remaining fixtures of the official programme in connection with the visit of H.M.S. New Zealand:— SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6. The Admiral will lay foundation stone of the Returned Soldiers' Association Hull at 10.30 a.m., and attend the Savage Club's korero in the evening. Some 300 sailors will attend in the morning. They will-be entertained at lunch by the trotting clubs, and later will attend the trottfng meeting. Tea nnd supper, the entertainment being provided by the Returned Soldiers' Association. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7. The Admiral will present one of H.M.S. New Zealand's flags, flown at Jutland, to the Anglican Cathedral, at the morning service. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8. Canterbury Club ball. Motor run to and lunch at Oxford; afternoon tea by Rangiora residents on the return journey. Tea and supper. Smoke concert. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9. Tea and supper—entertainment provided by Mrs Burnes-I-oughnan and party. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10. Rugby and Association football matches at A. and P. Grounds, Addlngton, 2.15. Canterbury Ofllcers' Club entertains Admiral's stuff and ofllcers of H.M.S. New Zealand. Tea and supper, smoke conceit, and tug-of-war, H.M.S. New Zealand v. team from C. Hunter and Co. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11. Rifle match at Cashmere with Christchurch Defence Rifle Club. Tea and supper—entertainment by Mr R. A. Home and party.