INTERESTING EVENT.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 925, 19 September 1910, Page 2

INTERESTING EVENT.

THE GOVERNOR AND SEAMEN. TURAKINA'S CREW. ENTEE-TAIKED. There was a goodly assemblage of seamen in port and their friends at the Missions to Seamen on Saturday evening, on the occasion of an entertainment given by Her Excellency Lady -Islington to the officers and crew of the Turakina, the steamer by which she and other members of the viceregal household travelled,to New Zealand... After a substantial repast' the ship's company and visiting friends were treated to a musical evening, organised by that indefatigable worker in the seamen's cause, Mr.- Janies Moore, their missioner, and. contributed to'by Mesdames Cachemaille and Donne, the Misses Kennedy (2), and Lloyd-Hassell, and Messrs. . J. F. ' Carr, -Alec. . Newton, Cohen, and Kennedy.- , The fine amusements' hall, had been tastefully draped and decorated for the occasion, and everything made in keeping with the occasion of the first; visit of the N6w Zeaium. Governor. ...... An interesting, and approprialo feature of the function was the presence in the forefront of the array of happy faces of the founder, of the Seamen's Institute, Mrs. ■Williams, who, despite, a recent indisposition,: braved the , tempestuous. elements to add zest,and interest to the occasion. , Her. Excellency' Lady Islington, the hostess of the evening, was unavoidably absent, owing to a chill,' but Governriient House was represented by His Excellency, ~who .was: accompanied by/his. daughter, the Hon. Joan' Dickson-Poynder r Miss Cotton, Captain Hamilton, A.DiC., and Captain Greenstreet. (of the Turakina). -.. Mr.. Hoore was assisted ■-'in ■•'irereceiving- visitors by Dr. H. Pollen, (Port Health Officer), and ;Mr. E. Balcombe Brown.- . . . ::. •., > . Mr. ■ Moore,'in ,a short address, vrel-' coined His. Excellency ..and party to; the Missions to :Seamen, whi6h, he said,, was the first occasion on which'the. institute had been .similarly honoured—although Lord .Ranfurly : had frequently, invited parties of mariners, to Government House it. was an honour which,,he- felt sure,".would be apnreciated not only, by the seamen but would be spoken of 'with ' gratification throughout .the. length and breadth of the world.. They all regretted the cause of Lady Islington's absence.'•(Applause.)... ... ' : ■.■.'.■.■•,:,' .•A,member'of the crew of the Turakina presented the Hon. Joan Dickson-Ppynder with a;.beautiful ..bouquet, amidst applause.; Mrs. Williams was the recipient of a similar distinction;.. 1 '; His, Excellency's Speech. ..; His Excellency, who,' on- rising; was greeted with'hearty cheers ,and the' singing of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow;"' desired- in the first place: to express,, his , gratitude 'and gratification at -tne kind'ness, and .cordiality "of: his, reception.; His > pleasure had been lessened to "a large,extent by-the. fact that through indisposition her .Excellency.had been uhable: to. accompany him. On her behalf especially ho wished.to-thank the captain, offi'cers, .and. crew of viie - Turakina ■ for.'-. the'. attention .:and.,''courtesy uninterruptedly enjoyed.throughout the long voyage from '.Homo hi, that- ship...', The- other members of the; party \yere present on the platform, withthe exception of the cow, chickens, parrots, dogs and. canaries—(laughter)— some of \vhich were at the present time .enjoying the serenity., and. seclusion,, of' quarantine.". (Laughter and applause.);lt was a ..pleasure to him-to be present at a 'gathering, of .that kind, and splendid'accommodation provided for the conifort;.df. visiting, seamen through the .generosity", of their, great' patroness;, ! Mrs, .Williams, whom he was delighted.to see .present." ..(Applause.) '.. He ' -ventured toM ,sayr fhiit- df -all kind, generous gifts' made. :in > recent year's.which weire thoroughly ap■prebiated by.an:,important section of the •community, noho' could exceed the gift of :that ..Jiome by: Mrs.' dwelt upon ■ the. hardships, dangers," and monotony of . the -seaman's, lot,, the. welcome fact that .the institute ,was open to ''suaiueu' of;-all'-tiatiorialities,, and-Athei'iuc-,cessful'.work,of.;Mr. Moore, his, Excellency rcohcluded .-by.'Sayifig that during his;stay ■ in .New,Zealand,,such.;ins,titutipns. as-the ; Missions to Seamenwould find hiriiawill- ■ ing and 'active'. supporter. (Applause;) - •■!'.;, Captain Greenstreet.'' , ' .Captain Gfreenstreei, on hehalf of "the officers and , crew;;of.- ; the...Turakina,: pro;- ; posed a hearty vote',of .thanks to . Lady, Islington r for her kindness- in'/providing them with such-a charming entertainment, and expressed gratification at the. fact.;that all the members of. the Government House party had arrived at New r Zealand;: after; a: pleasant voyage, .in perfect health;'" (Applause.).'. ~' . ..-: ■-.■'■; . :Tihe' v vote of tlianks was seconded - bythe spokesman of the crew, and carried' bv acclamation; ','. .! . •■■•'"'".-•' .-'■ Three-ringin- cheers for ,the Governor' and Lady Islington followed, and a very enjoyable' evening .was spent, with songs, choruses, -instrumental music, and an amusing conundrum contest,, in which-the prizes-were'a case'of pipes and a pair of mittphs donated'hy Lady Islington.