BUSHELS OF FUN

Evening Star, Issue 20132, 23 March 1929, Page 8

BUSHELS OF FUN

PARTY OH H.M.S. DUNEDIN OVER SOO CHILDREN ENTERTAINED Big Brother Bill’s recent picnic for the'children of Iris radio family was nearly outclassed by the children’s party on board H.M.S. Dunedin yesterday afternoon. Over eight hundred children clambered on board the cruiser after being marched from the Triangle to the wharf by the ship’s band, and were met as they boarded the gangway by the special committee set up to make "the necessary arrangements for the parly. Straightway the children proceeded to investigate, poking their faces into every corner and crevice to see, what would meet their gaze. And some of the things they saw were worth having a second and even third look at. Many children there were who stood outside the door of the Haunted House trying to pluck up enough courage to enter the darkness within. Those who at last plunged into tiie depths of the unknown were certainly] given the thrill of their lives, for winds blew in the darkness, lights flashed on and off, revealing skeletons and peculiar-looking men, and reflections of the children themselves. So groat was lb© thrill that hundreds of t.he children could not resist a second trip through the haunted regions. Those who were fortunate enough to hear the music from London and New York stood in open-mouthed wonder Irving to imagine how such beautiful melodies could be made audible in a small pair of phones. As one child remarked, “The wonders of wireless are honzer.’’

The- merry-go-round at the stern of tho ship was nearly overworked during the afternoon, for all the children were anxious to have the pleasure ot a ride. Jt was indeed an amusing sight to see the children endeavouring to pick pennies off the bottom ot a tin basin filled with water. To look at the basin one would imagine that it was the easiest, of tasks to lift the pennies, hub those who tried found that they received an electric shock for their trouble in a most mysterious way. When one little girl was trying her best, but iu vain, to remove the money she said in a loud voice: “ Jt hurts my fuunybone.” That gives some idea of what tho feeling was like. J.f His Majesty King George V. could have scoii some of the sailors in charge of the shooting alleys or the skittles Jio would certainly not have been able to recognise in them members cl the Navy, for they were dressed in all manner of weird costumes as females, clowns, cowboys, etc. There was great fun among tho children who tried to break pipes nr throw a ball into the mouth of a peculiar-looking man. The prizes for the successful competitors in the games fully compensated for the trouble the children went to—that is, if they looked upon it as a trouble. To see the kiddies in an endeavour to sink a U boat was worth a walk down to the wharf alone. Then there was a chute rigged up from the bridge to the deck of the sliip. and the children and sailors alike were undoubtedly filled with joy at the sensation experienced in sliding down. The boys and girls could not reach the top quickly enough to be the first to glide back to the deck. No sooner had each j;hild been to every amusement on board about half a dozen times than lie or she was eager to start right at the beginning again. The school children and parents who were pref-ent made themselves thoroughly at home, and obviously enjoyed themselves as well as the young hopefuls. At half-past 4 every child was sent off the ship, but not for good, for they were, taken into Q shed on tho wharf, where tremendous-sized tables were laid neatly with all kinds of good things to eat. The children did full justice to what was put before them, and by the time the evening meal was over there was hardly a crumb left to tell the talc. The crowd then returned to the ship for a, final “flutter.” so to speak, and the laughter and shouting of delighted children rang out afresh.

As each child went on board he or she was presented with an apple and some sweets, while every kiddie as he prepared to wend his way homo received a present and a memento of the afternoon in the form of a photograph of the ship. In. addition every' child was given a number, and during the afternoon the commodore selected six of the numbers ,at random, the owners later receiving special presents. It was not until after 6 o’clock that the ship was deserted by its young visitors. Before the party a willing band of workers busied themselves in decorating the ship, the wharf, and the shed with bunting, Tags, streamers, and balloons and greenery, the whole presenting a very pleasing appearance. It seems as if the cruiser’s party is becoming rui annual event, for it will be remembered that a similar function was held on board when she was in port a year ago. Credit certainly' falls to those who thought of the party 7 and carried it through in such an admirable fashion.