H.M.A.S. CANBERRA.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 851, 26 August 1933, Page 9

H.M.A.S. CANBERRA.

Entertainment of Warship’s Officers and Men. Arrangements for the entertainment of the officers and men of the Australian cruiser, H.MA.S. Canberra, -which will be in Lyttelton between September 12 and 18 were discussed at a meeting of the entertainment committee yesterday afternoon, but as no reply had been received to the letter outlining the programme to the admiral for approval the dates for the various functions could not be determined definitely. Mr J. W. Beanland, who presided, said that he had discussed the holding of a motor drive for the men .on Sunday. September 17, with the secretary of the Canterbury Automobile Association, who thought sufficient members of the association would offer the services of their cars for the drive, but in the event of their not doing so, he (Mr Beanland) presumed that the City Council would engage a few buses to ensure that no man would be left on the ship. It was decided to endeavour to hold the run on the Sunday to Ashley Gorge,! and to invite 250 men. In the event of the weather being unfavourable, the run will be held to the Oxford Public Hall. The Young Men’s Christian Association’s offers of hospitality to the men and the use of the association’s building were accepted, and it was decided to ask the association to provide tea for a number of men after the motor drive. An offer of the use of the club rooms during the ship’s stay in Christchurch was also received from the Christchurch Working Men’s Club. The chairman reported that the manager of the Civic Theatre had offered the free use of the theatre to the men any time during their stay in Christchurch, and it was decided to ask the managers of the other theatres in the city to extend the same privilege to sailors in uniform. On the motion of Mr Neville it was decided to ask the Christchurch Returned Soldiers* Association to co-oper-ate with the committee in endeavouring to arrange a smoke concert. Citizens’ Ball. After the meeting of the entertainment committee, Mr J. J. Dougall presided over a meeting of the committee, which is making arrangements for the ball at which the officers of the ship will be entertained. It was decided to call tenders for a band to play at the ball, which it was hoped would be held at the Winter Garden on September 16. The prices of tickets were fixed at 7s 6d single and 15s double. Mesdames H. Wyatt, C. J. Treleaven, and C. Bell were appointed a sub-committee to make arrangements for the supper.