U.S.A. FLEET.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1925, Page 3

U.S.A. FLEET.

BLUEJACKETS ATTEND TROTS. CHRISTCHURCH, August 12. The American repair ship Altair nr rived in port this morning. The destroyer Chase is not due till to-morrow. A large number of men attended the trots at Addington. THE LUNCHEON. WELLINGTON, Aug. 12. A State Luncheon was tendered Admiral R. E. Coontz (Commanding Oflicer of the United States Meet) and the officers of the squadron visiting Wellington, at the Town Hall this afternoon. It was a highly successful function. Altogether there were 525 guests present, anti the proceedings were marked by lively enthusiasm. 'The Governor-General presided, and besides the mem hers of the Cabinet of l>otli legislature, there were representatives of the city and country local governing bodies present, with Sir .Joseph Ward and other men prominent in public or official lift'. The guests were received by the Prime .Minister (Mr C’oatesi. At. the conclusion of the luncheon. wliicTi was marked by great good humour and fellowship between the visitors and the New Zealanders, the Governor-General proposed the loyal toast of “The King” and “The President of the United States,” both of which were drunk with musical honours. Here, it may be remarked, there was some speculation beforehand as to whether the function would he “wet” or “dry” in deference to conditions ruling in the visitors’ home land. li. was “wet,” Imt this fact, did not in any way put a damper on the harmony of the proceedings or the ilow of good humour. PREMIER’S SPEECH. The Prime Minister then rose to propose the toast “Our Guests” and was received with loud and prolonged applause, and the singing of “For lie’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” Before beginning lias own remarks, Mr Coates read a letter from Mr T. M. Wilford. Loader of the Opposition apologising for bis absence, owing to indisposition. The letter stated that Mr Wilford “joined with the members of the Government in extending a hearty welcome to our kinsmen. I know, and have appreciated the hospitality of Americans to New Zealanders in America, and I believe the American Ambassador to the Court of St. .fames spoke truly a year or two ago when he said: “ff George the Third had spoken to America as George the Fifth bad spoken to Ireland, we would never have been apart.” It or the prevention of war, and for the peace of the world, f consider this tour of the Aemrciau Elect of the utmost importance.” THE ADMIRAL’S SPEECH. There was a renewed outburst, of enthusiasm when Admiral Coontz rose, and be bad to wait a moment or two for it to subside. He opened with a word of praise for Wellington harbour and the weather which bad favoured the Squadron's arrival. In passing, lie declared that this city reminded him of San Francisco by reason ot its situation and of the amount of land which its people bad found necessary to reclaim along its sea-front. Very many people in America imagined New Zealand was a long way down, somewhere near the South Pole. Admiral Coontz pointed out that the greatest cities of the United States were along a belt of little above the fortieth parallel, corresponding with the latitude ol "Wellington in the Southern Hemisphere. He and his men found it nowhere near the South Pole (Laughter). “You’ve a wonderful country,” said Admiral Coontz. “When they read of the wonderful wealth per capita and the health of New Zealand people, they understood what, a splendid country it was. New Zealand was a country in which the mail who wanted work could make a success of life. The L nited States was going to grow yet, and here New Zealand, with its wonderful stock, would grow to untold millions. lliey must, however, be prepared to work, and an examination disclosed that they

were suffering from hookworm. Som<~ times it seemed to him that other ■ people must he iifflictcd with hookworm too. Perhaps. if measures wore taken to eradicate that, trouble, other troubles might cease also. I lie t idled States, in 1876 had a population of three millions. Nmv it was 110 millions. He believed tlie prosperity of the country was due to the influx of white peoples from Europe. but it- was the sturdy type of its pioneers Hutl laid the foundation of that prosperity. .Admiral Coon tv, said lie admired the pioneers who fared iorth and adventured into unknown limits and waters, and established new countries. New Zealand and Australia Imd the same experience in this respect as America. Even in his own day, pioneers had gone out ill"slow-moving ships, on long voyages, living on “hard tack,’’ and knowing often what real privation meant. Hero the Admiral let fall ail aside that fairly brought down the house, when lie remarked, with a twinkle in his eyes, visible even through a thick smoke screen going up trom hundreds of cigars, that “conditions have so changed in some parts of the world that laird tack has Itecome a very scarce commodity.” - The Admiral continued that he liked the look of New Zealand, its people, and of Wellington Harbour, adding quizzically, that good harbours were also getting scarce. (Laughter). People had not looked ahead enough. Even the Panama Canal barely allowed the battle cruiser “Hood” to pass through. New Zealand was interested deeply in refrigeration, and as ships grew in size to carry her produce only the best harbours would be of use. Admiral Coontz said the Premier had spoken highly ol the United State-'. Well, he felt proud of the United States’ motto, which was “A Square Deal for Everyone." This had been her aim in freeing Cuba from local tyranny, and in Nicaragua. She hoped also to secure better conditions for Havti in the near future. America only desired to see all the nations of the' world dwelling together in peace and unity. New Zealand has already overwhelmed his men with the hospitality olfered, and all would take away wonderful memories of their- sojourn here, which would he told over and over again when they g"t home. He thanked New Zealanders for the welcome extended, and the entertainment provided, which exceeded their highest anticipations. The proceedings closed with the British and American National Anthems.

sailors get stranded. GALE ON AUCKLAND HARBOUR. AUCKLAND, Aug. Iff. There was a fierce easterly gale all last night and the sea was so rough that the warships’ boats were able to carry a comparatively small number ol officers and men alxiard. Nearly two thousand officers and men. in addition to those on shore leave, bad to be accommodated, but the emergency was well met at the Y.M.C.A. and the shelter sheds on the wharf. The men slept, on chairs, window ledges, piano tops, the cold concrete door, or anywhere else where there was a fiat surface a foot or more wide. Supper sup- , pii es were exhausted long before midK night later arrivals resorting to the inevitable chewing gum. Blankets were issued.