JAPANESE VISITORS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2815, 5 July 1916, Page 6

JAPANESE VISITORS

REAR-ADMIRAL MATSUMURA AT BELLAMY'S RECEPTION ON IWATE TO-DAY Interest in the officers and men of the Japanese training squadron now in Wellington continues unabated. The two warships nt 'the Clyde Quay Wharf were not opened to Hie public yesterday, and to-day the wharf will "be closed to all except those who have cards of invitation to tho recep'tioa to be given by RearAdmiral Matsumura on tho Iwate this afternoon. Owing to the limited accommodation, the Rear-Admiral has had to limit 'the number of invitations to 200. As theso will include membei'B of Parliament and their wives, military and Government officials, it will ba seen that the scope cannot be extended very far to members of tho public. The Admiral would have liked to invite everyone who has treated his officers and men so hospitably dnrimj (heir happy stay in Wellington, but the limitations of deck space made that impossible. Elaborate preparations have been mado for the afternoon's function. • Lunch at Bellamy's, Rear-Admiral Matsumura, his 6taff, and twenty of the chief officers of the warships, were entertained at luncheon at Bellamy's yesterday. The function was marked by tho utmost enthusiasm, the complimentary speeches both from the Ministers and the Admiral being of the happiest character.

Visit to Feathsrston Camp. About ono hundred officers and cadets irera conveyed to Featherston Camp by «pecial train yesterday. They were accompanied by Colonel Tate,, AdjutantGeneral, and other Headquarters Staff officers. 'i'he special ran straight through to the camp siding, where the visitors were met by Lieutenant-Colonel Adams, Camp Commandant, Captain Newcomb, Adjutant, and other officers of the camp Staff and Reinforcements, who showed the visitors round the camp. Luncheon was served in the Soldiers' Club, the' usual national toasts being honoured. Tho Japanese and the British National Anthems were sung and played, the camp band being complimented by several of tho visitors on the playing of the national hymn. After lunch some fifty motor-cars, provided by the Waiirarapa Automobile Association, took the guests for a spin in the direction of tho lake, n roturn being made in time to catch the special train to leave for home about 3. o'clock. Tho children of the Featherston and South Featherston Schools turned out to cheer tho officers and midshipmen, who replied with banzais and waving of hands. One of tho youn<j officers asked if the yellow flowers growing by the roadside were' the saino as tho Australian national flower. On being told that it was gorse, and not wattle bloom, he said it was just as pretty. A display of;sheep-dog work was given at Pigeon Bush by Sir. Howard Booth, and here, again, great interest was shown, one of the midshipmen dashing out into the paddock to photograph the mob of sheep when it was mustered'

General Notes. Bear-A<lmiral Matsumura and a party of officers were entertained at the Wellington Club at dinner last evening. The men of the squadron are not being forgotten. This afternoon and this evening the Mayoress and a party of ladies are to entertain as many of the crews of the two warships as can get shore leave. Tho band of the Iwate, the Trenthara Band, and the Wellington Tramways Band, are to assist in the musical jirogramme to be provided. The Hons. A. Myers and G. W. Russell are to proceed to Auckland on Friday to do honour to the visitors during their visit to that port. Major Sleeman, of the Defence Department, has teen appointed military attache to the visitors whilst they are in New Zealand, and he will proceed to Auckland at the week-end in pursuance of those duties. The band of the' Iwate (under Bandmaster Sayo) played a programme of music in the.grounds of the Wellington Hospital yesterday afternoon, and were cordially thanked for the fine music they provided, and were entertained at afternoon tea by the matron and her Staff.'

■Another'squad of Japanese sailors were takon for . a trip round tho City and ■suburbs in the tramcars yesterday morning.