AUSTRALIA'S NAVY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1873, 6 October 1913, Page 7

AUSTRALIA'S NAVY.

WELCOMED IN SYDNEY. CROWDS LINE THE COAST. AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE. Br Telegraph—Press Aesociation—OonxrieM (Reo. October 5, 5.5 p.m.) Sydney, October 4. • Australia, has torday been celebrating a notable event—welcoming the nucleus of her first war fleet to its liomo waters. Tho declaration of a public holiday, combined with brilliant weather, greatly assisted tho efforts of the authorities in making the function an impressivo red-lottor day in tho history of tho Commonwealth. From tho city itself l , aglow with bunting and greenery, from tho widespread suburbs and country districts, people commenced pouring in at an early hour to tho harbour frontages and outer cliffs and massing at tho parks and other points of vantage until, by tho time tho first warships, moving in stately procession off tho coast, mado their appearance in tho distant offing, tlio wholo line of coast harbour from beyond Bondi to the anchorage ground at Farm C'ivo, was black with humanity. The waters of the harbour were alive with decorated craft of all descriptions.' Thero was intense enthusiasm everywhere. Bands statiohed at intervals enlivened proceedings. It was a fine sfjoctaclo a& tho line, headed by the flagship Australia, followed by tho Sydney, tho Melbourne, tho Encounter, tile Warrego, tho Yarra, and the Parramatta at regular intervals swung round, entered tho heads, and slowly steamed down tho harbour to tho ancho'rago. Thoy woro greeted with wide-wafted cheers from the multitude, strains of hands and bell-ringing. A largo clioir of public schoolchildren, stationed near tho Heads, sang patriotic songs, and the deafening chorus of hundreds of steam crafts' welcoming whistles stopped whilo tho singing was in progress. Tho fleet entered at 10.30 a.m., and tho steamers conveying tho Federal and Stato Ministers and other distinguished persons, met tliom outsido tho Heads and followed in. As tho floet proceeded down tho harbour thoy saluted' with big guns, H.M.S. Cambrian replying. During tlio afternoon many of tlio officers and men visited tlio Randwick raccs. Groat crowds viowed tho city and harbour illuminations. Public and many private buildings were.ablaze with many fino designs. There was a Venetian carnival in tho harbour, tho warships being beautifully outlined, and a great searchlight display was especially effective. . Tho Governor-General (Lord Denman) presidwl at a brilliant representative gathering at tho Federal Government banquet at tho Town Hall at night, in honour of Rear-Admiral Sir Georgo Patoy and his officers. ' The proceedings nnd tho speeches wero, marked with loyal enthusiasm. PARKING OF THE WAYS. POSITION OF~~COMMONWEALTH. WARDEN OF THE MARCHES. (Ileo. October 6, 0.40 a.m.) . . Sydney, October 5. Tho_ speakers at tho Town Hall banquet included tho State Governor (Sir Gerald Strickland), Mr. Cook (Fedoral Premier, Mr. Andrew Fisher, (Leader of tho Minister of Defence, and Admirals Patey and King-Hall. The keynote of tho speeches was Aus : tralia's pride in tho possession of her own fleet and tho importanco of the duty involved as a unit of the Empiro in defonco. Lord D'cnman said that on that day they liad reached tho parting of the ways, because tho Australian station had been handed over by the Imperial authorities to tlio Commonwealth and Australia took up her own burden in naval matters. Admiral King-Hall, whoso flag was hauled down for Admiral Patoy's to bo hoisted when tho fleet arrived, bid an affectionate farewell to tho people of Australia. A historic and uninuo period had 'arrived in tho life of tho Commonwealth, ho 'said. Sho had now to act as Warden of the Marchos to protect tho outposts of Empire in tho Pacific. The time would como when statesmen of tho Empiro must ovolvo a method whereby the Dominions would bo brought into closer relationship in tho councils of tho Mother Country, especially regarding naval dcfence of tho Empiro. To-day largo sections of tlio crows of tho fleet attended church parades, marching through tho crowded itreets. Tho ships were opened to tho public and crowds visited them. CONGRATULATORY MESSACES. ! NEW ZEALAND ADJURATION. By Tclesrapli—Woso Association—CopyrieM Sydnoy, October 4. Admiral King-Hall, who has been Commander-in-Chief on tho Australian Station since 1910, .in a farewell message, thanks all who have served under him for loyal support, and wishes success to the Royal Australian Navy. Congratulations on tho arrival of the fleet include messages from tho Prime Minister of New Zealand (Hon. W. F. Massey), Sir Joseph Ward, and Mr. R. L. Borden (Canadian Prime Minister). Mr. Massey says: "New Zealand admires and congratulates tho Commonwealth on tlio.patriotism and self-sacri- ! flee of its peoplo in assisting the Empire by undertaking so splendid a contribution to naval defenco of tho Southern Soas New Zealand looks forward to an early opportunity of welcoming the fleet." Mr. Borden says: "Bo assured that Canada stands snoulder to shoulder with Australia and tho other Overseas Dominions in the firm .resolvo to safeguard 'our common heritage. 1 ' Sinco an early hour thero has been a snaky stream of people to the outer cliffs and foreshores of the harbour to await tho arrival of the ships.