U.S.A. FLEET.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 August 1925, Page 2

U.S.A. FLEET.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] INSULTS TO AMERICANS. CHRISTCHURCH, August 15. As the result of the insults to the American sailors yesterday evening, tho police arrested two country youths named William Jelfcrs Harrison and Jack William Green. They were charged to-day with disorderly behavioui while drunk. They pleaded guilty, and were fined £2 each, or, in default, seven days. CiIRISTCHUHCH EXCURSIONS. CHRISTCHURCH, August 15. The week-cud has been quiet so 1. as the Fleet visitors are concerned. Yesterday a larger number of the men than usual attended the races, and n. the evening were entertained at lug tea and a dance. To-day many hundreds of them were conveyed in motors to Ashley Gorge, and very many were the guests ol private people, hour thousand people visited Lyttelton Yesterday, and ten thousand to-day. ten extra special trains having to be put on. OAMARC, August 15. In fine weather nearly three hundred officers and men of the American Fleet arrived here by special train at mid-day. Alter a welcome by Mayor McDairnikl, the party were entertained at luncheon. Later they marched ti the snorts ground to see a special lootball match. They returned hv train in the evening. AT DUNEDIN. DUNEDIN, August 10. Saturday's cold weather militated to it certain extent against the open air enjoyment ol the sailors !>elonging to the visiting American Squadron, but 000 of the men enjoyed outings to Milton. Mosgiel, ami Oainaru. Dances and private entertainments in the evening kept all ranks well pro vidod for. During the morning the Rear Admiral and staff visited the Exhibition grounds, and they expressed their as tonishmont at the scope ol the undertaking. Last night a searchlight display was given. To-day’s weather was glorious, and thousands inspected the destroyers uliile the men ashore saw Dunedin at its best. Many excursions were nuuU into the country. AT WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, August 16. Regard! ing the death of a seaman here, it is stated that a patrol were compelled to use their batons to escape an assault during the melee. The weather, which for a couple of days had prevented any extensive outdoor entertainment of the officers and men of the IPS.A. Meet improved for the week-end, to-day (Sunday) being ideal. As a result many excursions proved most enjoyable, while Navy League dances and other social functions were largely attended, and wort great successes. More of the men are now finding their way into the homes ol the people. a. form of hospitality for which 1 hey display considerable eagerness, as distinct from a purely set formal gatherings. Motor drives for the officers and men and nurses have also been enjoyed. Tin children’s parties at. tho Town 1 were crowded, and the Commereia travellers also gale an enjoyable entertainment. RUMOUR DENIED. WELLINGTON. August 17. The rumours that the American sailor who died aboard the hospital ship Relief, had succumbed to injuries received during a street brawl, are denied by the authorities. Uominaiiilcr Adams, of the Pennsylvania declared that Dale, had never 1 been in any brawl am! had never given any trouble at any time. It was desired to dear bis name and the iuqoin "liieli was held by a court of officers showed the deceased, Eirst Beaman Wallace Leigh Roy Dale, aged twenty-one. die. with haemorrhage, lie fell while working on deck on Thursday, skinning his nose, and, as lie seemed in a had way he was removed to the hospital ship. While there Dale said lie had fallen over a pile of gravel near the I’ipitea . u half, iu the darkness while return- . ing to his ship, hut as he felt 110 il .effects at the time he took no notke. iiml went about hi.s duties ill the ordinary way. After his removal to the hos--1 pital ship it was seen his condition was serious ami on Thursday night he begun to sink rapidly.

Commander Adams states that Dale’s death was not due to any brawling ashore. He was never arrested by the patrol as had been reported, and he could not understand how such a statement came to he circulated. The man's death is sincerely regretted by all. The body will be taken home to Salem, Ohio, for burial, in accordance with the custom followed, in every ease, "here possible, with men of the American Navy who die abroad. ROTOR FA .MAORI DANCERS. ROTORUA. August 15. Tiie Arawas bare 1 tiered the Chairman of the Harbour Board to send 11 troup of poi and liaka dancers to Auckland on Thursday to entertain the men of the Fleet lo witness the entertainment on Friday. CROWDS AT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, August 16. Glorious weather was enjoyed by the visitors of the fleet during the weekend. and though there was a keen bite in the air. brilliant sunshine brought thousands of people outdoors. A special train from Waikato brought l hundreds of country visitors into tf 10 ' city yesterday morning, augmenting the thousands of visitors who arrived last week. The hotels, hoarding houses and restaurants were besieged at luncheon and dinner hours yesterday, many people having to U- turned away. There "ere record attendances of the public on the warships yesterday.

The football matches on Saturday afternoon were fairly well patronised by both the officers and men. while hundreds of the visitors spent the day at Ellerslie races. Five hundred petty officers and men from the battleships paid a flying visit to Rotorua on Saturday. A special train left Auckland in the morning returning yesterday afternoon. Although the 'actual time spent iu Rotorua was limited, the men enjoyed the experience immensely, and had few dull moments. Admiral Robison, and 200 officers, who spent two days in Rotorua, returned on Saturday evening, ufter a memorable experience in the Thermal regions. The Admiral and his staff were present later in the- evening at a Savage Club Korero at the Scots Hall, where together with 100 officers, he was entertained by a score of members attired in Maori mats and war paint.