AMERICAN FLEET.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 21 July 1925, Page 6

AMERICAN FLEET.

ENTERTAINMENT OF SAILORS

PUBLIC MEETING HELD YESTER-

DAY

In view of the forthcoming visit to New Zealand, of the American Fleet, a public meeting, convened by the AI ay or (Mr G. J. Wallace), was held in the Municipal Chambers yesterday afternoon. The attendance was disappointing. The Mavor, who presided, said the meeting had been called to ascertain what arrangements should be made for the entertainment of the American sailors, when visiting Timaru. He had two suggestions in mind, one of which was to endeavour lo obtain a destroyer to call at Timaru. The other was to arrange for an excursion train to be run from Christchurch. Mr AVallace read a letter received from the American Fleet Entertainment Committee, asking the Borough Council to entertain the visiting sailors. The South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce forwarded a resolution asking that one or more destroyers should be invited to come to Timaru or that an excursion train be_ run from Christchurch. The Mayor said if an excursion was promoted they would get, at least 500 officers and men. The question for the meeting to decide was the advisabiity of inviting a destroyer to come or not.

Mr AV. T. Ritchie said that if they did not get a destroyer they should run an excursion. As a member of the Harbour Board he informed the meeting that there was a shortage of berthing space in the harbour at present, owing to one of the wharves undergoing repairs. He did not know "whether it would be possible for a ship to remain for a period of ten days. There was always shipping coming and going. Personally, he would like to see a destroyer visit Timaru.

Captain D. McDougall, harbour master, said a destroyer could be berthed for the period mentioned by Mr Ritchie, hut such a visit would have its disadvantages. If dirty weather was experienced, as was the case last week, the range in the harbour woud result in the majority of the ship's complement being told off to remain on board to be ready for emergency. There was always a range in the harbour, and naval craft wore not built to lie at wharf nioorings.

Mr Ritchie said he was sure the Harbour Board would be in favour of inviting a destroyer.

Captain McDougall said he did not wish to convey the impression that there was any danger, but seafaring men, when lying at moorings, did not like to have to watch their ship. Mr Ritchie moved that one destroyer be invited to visit Timaru.

Mr G. Andrews seconded the motion, which was carried-unanimously. Mr Andrews proposed that in the event of a destroyer not visiting Timaru, that a portion of the Fleet assigned to visit Dunedin, should anchor off Timaru lor a few hours. Captain McDougall did not think there was a hope of getting the Fleet to anchor olf the harbour. ; Mr G. Benstcad seconded Mr Andrew’s motion, which was carried. The Mayor said that the arrangement of an excursion would be a better advertisement for Timaru. Mr Eenstead said that excursion arrangements should go ahead independent of the proposal in regard to the destroyer. ' -

On the motion of Mr M. J.. Doyle, it was decided that those present be appointed a general committee to make arrangements, and that Mr Benstead be asked to carry out the secretarial work. 1

It was decided to appoint another committee consisting 1 of two deler gates from the Borohgh Council; two lrom the Automobile Association two from the Chamber of Commerce; and two from the Harbour Board.

NO LIQUOR AT MASTER TON. By Telegraph—Press Association. MASTERTON, July 19. A meeting was held to-night iC arrange for tho reception of America*, sailors, 35U of whom ,aro to spend at day here on August Li. rive u«> a later 50 officers will spend a, day and a night as guests of the citizens. At a subsequent executive meeting tho matter of supplying liquor at the public luncheon was discussed. Opinion was divided on the matter, but a resolution that no liquor bo provided for either sailors or officers at any public function was carried without dissent.