THE BRITISH FLEET.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1924, Page 1

THE BRITISH FLEET.

fIV TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT.

FLEET AT DUNEDIN

DUNEDIN, May I

The Dauntless and Dunedin were visited by several hundreds of country school children specially brought in by Government arrangements. The captains of both, warships and ten officers were taken on it motoring trip to Waipori this morning. In the afternoon a soccer team from the vessels • meet Otago. To-morrow the Mayor and Councillors tender a garden party in the liotanieal gardens, to bo attended hy officers and men of both ships. Three hundred men will make a route march to the., party. Interesting figures amongst the officers are: Capt. Jlon A. L. Ramsay D.S.O. (Dunedin), who is the husband of Princess Patricia, Paymaster Lieut.- Commandei Lewis A. Da C. Rica (Dunedin), weli known as the sea- stur.v writer, Baitimeus.

NAVALS VISIT PALMERSTON NORTH.

PALMERSTON N., -May 1

A naval party of -100, including ‘IP officers, in charge of the chaplain of tiie licet, tile Rev Llovd, were entertained here to-day after lunch on the Show Grounds. Several motor parties wore organised and driven round Uu* district. Fifty visited the Flock House Estate acquired by the woolgrowers tund to train as farmers the dependents oi sailors killed in the war. A novelty sports programme was enjoyed and dancing was also provided. A Soccer match, Navy v. Manawatu, resulted hy 5 to 4 in favour of the visitors. The party afterwards entrained in the evening for Wellington, alter a delightful informal day out. Them was no civic reception, and the speeches were of l lie briefest.

VICE-AD.M IR A L’K SPEECII

CHRISTCHURCH, May 1

Rear Admiral Sir Herbert Brand and the officers of the light cruisers were tendered a civic reception in tin* Theatre Royal this afternoon. The Mayor presided and other speakers were Judge Adams, and Mr »). *l. D.iugall (President of the local branch of the Navy League).

fn the course of his reply Admiral Brand said that one of tin* objects of the cruise was that the navy should know the people of the Dominions bettor and that they should know each other more and appreciate each other's difficulties. Another object was to give the oiltcers and men an opportunity of seeing the trade routes and to see what the men and ships could do under all conditions. It was not their only object to (line and dance. (Laughter). lie was sure the people ol New Zealand were aware of the importance of a navy. An island people must realise that. As to what New Zealand could do in assisting in Imperial defence, Admiral Brand said New Zealand had a -mall population, and the time had net arrived when they colild build their own ships here, and keep their own navy, lull he leit certain that that, time was not distant. What could lie done here was to show an interest in the navy, and supply some

of the personnel. When they lmd trained Miftnienl officers and men (hey could think ol having their own navy.