THE BOYS IN BLUE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 201, 20 May 1919, Page 6

THE BOYS IN BLUE

WELCOME FOR MEN OF H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND NAYY LEAGUE TO THE FORE A deputation, consisting of Mesdames Hall-Thompson, Earle, Darling, Coleridge, and Messrs. J. B. Harcourt, C. fi. Smith, and B. Keesing, representing the local branch of the Navy League, waited on tho Mayor (Mr.' J. P. Luke), who happens to be president of the league this year, yesterday afternoon in connection with the early visit to this port j)f H.M.S. New Zealand, whoso visit again to these waters is bound to create marked enthusiasm. It was fitting that the first notion of doing something to mark tho ocp./ision should come from tho local branch of the Navy League, which has kept before tho public the deeds and' needs of the men in blue right through the war, now so happily ended. Speaking for the branch, Mr. Keesing pointed out that. H.M.S, New Zealand was duo to arrive in. New- \ Zealand waters, most probably in Wellington, about the middle of June, with Admiral Jellicoe. on hoard. .Something had to he arranged to givo the officers and men a fitting welcome and proper entertainment whilst they were in Wellington, and, .unfortunatoly, the, local branch had not the funds to carry out wlint was projected, so they had come to ask Ihe assistance of.His-Worsbip in reeking the lively co-operation of tho citizen's, whom he was finite sure would be only too eager to join with them in making the occasion a memorable-one. Tho vessel would _be hero in the middle of winter, which mado it almost impossible to hold one of those jolly sports meetings that the men'revelled in,' unless the weather was very fair, so they must devise other means of entertaining tho /visitors. He did not know what the, Government intended to dd, but (hey felt it was incumbent upon the league to take tho, matter up, and, in doing so, to seek the hearty co-operation of tho citizens of Wellington. ',

A general discussion followed, during which several suggestions were made. The Mayor snid that ho thought they should entertain the men at ft luncheon, give them a big dancfe in the Tqun Hall—every sailor liked a dance—and the City Council would, ho felt sure, place observation cats at the disposal of tho visitors for excursions (o (ho various suburbs. . What he would propose to council would be that during the visit of the warship, the big Town Hull shot/Id lie placed at. the disposal of the. local 'branch of the Navy. League, and that the league should act in connection with all the. entertainments—it would be a' kind of Naval club for the time being. Liter the Mayor promised that he would call a public meeting, at which the programme of entertainment for the officeitfynnd men of H.M.S. New Zealand could be discussed.

The Mayor also mentioned thai when Admiral JeHicoe cani.e to Wellington in August lie should bo made the guest of honour at a ball to be given in the Town Hall. -