CHILDREN'S DAY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18903, 19 January 1927, Page 8

CHILDREN'S DAY.

ENTERTAINMENT ON H.M.S. DIOMEDE. [THE PRESS SpecUl Service.] AUCKLAND, January 18 Gay scenes were witnessed on HM.S. Dioniede this afternoon, when Captain J. S. M. "Eitchie 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 they found thai great preparations had been made for their arrival. Special awnings -had -been erected on several decks and guns, hatches, cranes, and other ship's gear had been most successfully, camouflaged with bunting, flags,', and evergreens. From the bridge to the foredeck an aerial way -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 spe- ;■ cially built carriage. Two other popular attractions were an electric merry-go-round built on a capstan on the afterdeck and carrying gaily-coloured hobby horses, geese, and motor-cars and a "slip on the mat" from the bridge to the foredeck. The ship's band played lively music. After tea a Christmas tree Tvas disclosed and Father Christmas appeared in a cloud of smoke from a hole in the deck. He gave each child a present. Commodore G. T. P. C. Swabey anrl several officers from H.M.S. Dunedin were present.