U.S.A. FLEET.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 August 1925, Page 1

U.S.A. FLEET.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] EXCITING EXPERIENCES. AUCKLAND. August 23. At least one New Zealand born person is included in the complement of the United States fleet now visiting the Dominion, and his return to bis native country as a petty officer in the navy of a sister nation is tinged with romance. Me is Chief-Quartermaster Richard Eegltie, of the U.S.S. Pennsylvania, at Wellington. Born at Pitkekohe East fifty-four years ago, sou of -Mr and Mrs Frederick Begbi-c. who were among the original settlers there, he went to school in the old Presbyterian Church at Pitkekohe East, a building which bears .scars of the Maori war in the form of bullet marks. A spirit of adventure led him to leave these shores for America on a trading ship when be was nineteen, and not until lie arrived at Wellington with the licet on Tuesday of last week did lie set eyes on Xew Zealand soil again having been absent thirty-live years. lie lots come north to visit lii.s brother and sister at Pukekuhc East and another brother at Mangere, and front what he lias related to them liis many years abroad have brought much of incident and experience of many seas. On bis arrival in America in the first place he was able to Irtue an elder brother, Philip, with whom the family in New Zealand had lost touch for some time, and afterwards look positions on other vessels. He traded to the A\ cst Indies a great deal, and was stricken with malaria fever. An iron constitution, however, enabled him to recover. Oil another occasion bis ship struck bottom, and despite desperate efforts at the pumps .she foundered. The captain. Bichard Begbie as mate and the coloured crew took to the single boat. For about a week they drifted with only a mouthful of water and a morsel of food each as daily ration. They suffered tortures of exhaustion and acute nervous strain. Several ships passed, but failed to notice them despite their desperate efforts to attract attention. They drifted well out of the usual trade route, hut providentially a vessel out of its course came their way and rescued them.

It was on the occasion of the Kpan-ish-Aniei icaii war that the erstwhile Xew Zealander joined the United States Navy. This was twenty-eight years ago, and lie saw .service at that time in the Philippine Islands. Tit tile Great War bis slop was on the China Coast. He now holds the highest rank it is possible for him to reach under the terms of his enlistment, and in two years’ time he will he retiring on pension, having then completed thirty years’ service. AUGK LAND’S EXPERIENCE. WHAT THE MEN OF THE FLEET LIKE. AUCKLAND, August 23. With about twelve tnousand men milled temporarily to Auckland’s population. tile limn in the street lias good rcitsuu to suppose that shopkeepers are doing well, hut expectations generally have not been realised. One great reason for this, and nearly all retailers are ready to admit it, is that at the outset too much trade was expected. The fact that there are stores on Hoard the ships was hardly taken into consideration at all. and these stores Imre prored serious rirals. I his applied particularly to the stile of tobacco. eigareties, stationery, and several lines of small goods. Trade has, however, brightened somewhat during the last few days, and the men will soon lie preparing to buy their parting gifts. Articles in the greatest demand so far have been rugs, but the demand has never appeared likely to exceed the supply. Tito sailors have a surprising knowledge ol various brands, and almost invariably ask for the best. They are also buying a good deal of Irish linen. There have been inquiries for New Zealand floor rugs, and. generally speaking, the licet- men are always on the look-out fur New Zealand made articles. Sailors ill some cases have made unexpected purchases. Some have been investing in gaudy kimonos, while the Filipinos have shown a fancy for gailycoloured evening slmwls. Small articles of mercery such as liandkerchieis have been in demand, and also rubber raincoats. Music people nave suffered defeat at the hands of Sydney tradesmen. Gramophone records were purchased in Sydney, and there is practically no sale for them here. Some music, howeve. is being bought. Tobacconists are greatly handicapped by the very low prices charged a maid ship for cigarettes and tobacco. The men are sticking to their own brands, only about 20 per cent of ihe cigarettes sold being of British make, but they have a great liking for cigars of good quality. In ihe purchase of sweets the American sailor lias shown himself most liberal. Nothing but the Ivost will suit him for the particular Miss Auckland whom he is entertaining at the pictures. and he does not. mind "lmt price lie pays for a big box of chocolates. He is very loyal, and for ihe most part confines himself ’• 11 Ameiicun brands. The souvenir-hunter constitutes a different type from the ordinary buyer, and is generally very keen on floating down tiie price. The men are buy in greenstone fairly well, but one eit\ jeweller sah! : “They come in and spend a lot of time bargaining, and then go oil’ to see if they can buy it nnywhon else for less. This attitude, though, seems peculiar to the confirmed sou-venir-hunter, and the average purchaser is a good and obliging man to deal with. THE DEPARTUREA CORDIAL LEAVE-TAKING WELLINGTON. August 24. The weather was most unpropitious for the. departure of the American Fleet. There had been heavy rain in the early morning but the sun was beginning to struggle through when. juM as the Admiral’s ship and the Pennsylvania were departing clear of tin, wharf, the tail end of a thunu storm swept across the harbour, bringing with it a deluge of rain and hail. Almost instantly, everything "’as blotted out. and many of the sightveers Who crowded the hills and wharves and all the streets giving a view got most unpleasantly wet. The departure took place punctually at ten'o’clock, but well before that hour the destroyers and smaller vessels had got under weigh, and already had proceeded towards the harbour' entrance to bead the procession of the larger ships. There was a great crowd at Pipitea Wharf who threw floods of streamers to the' two ships and called out fare-

wells with volleys of cheers. To tin s the sailors responded with enthusiasm and finally they started flinging their white caps ashore. Some fell into the water, but mostly they reached the decking of the wharf, and there followed a general scramble for these souvenirs. Large numbers of people by ear and tram, went out to the heights above Soatown for a last look at the Fleet but it- was not till the thunderstorm had passed that they got a clear sight, and by then the vessels were well on their way into the Pacific. A great feature of the ■ departure was to have been a simultaneous flight of all the seaplanes, thirty in number, but this was out of question though four managed to make a short farewell flight before the storm came on. The Mayor of Wellington, who was unable to participate in the final farewell ceremonies, sent the city’s official good-bye to Admiral Cobntz in the following letter: “Dear Admiral Coontz: On the eve of your departure from our shores, may 1 be permitted to express on behalf of the people of Wellington an affectionate farewell to Hie entire personnel of your grand fleet. Wo trust that your stay amongst us although altogether too short has given as much pleasure to your people as it has to the citizens of Wellington, and that you will carry away with you many happy recollections and lasting impressions of this visit. We feel that the many friendships formed in the lastten days will enrich and strengthen the tics of kinship between the great Republic and the British Empire of which wo form a small, hut loyal part. The citizens of Wellington, bid you “Koanui To Aroha! Hacro ra ITaero Bui” —Yours faithfully, C. J. B. Norwood. .Mayor of Wellington. The Maori quotation means: “We are filled with love! Farewell! Farewell 1” Airs Coontz and’ the wives of the other American naval officers, through the American Consul-General, have issued it message thanking the ladies of Wellington for the entertainment accorded them and the many pleasant incidents of their slay, which would long he remembered. Roar Admirals .Leigh and Magruder voice warm praise for the manner in which they were entertained during their stay in Xew Zealand, and express thanks for the opportunity of viewing the scenic and other features of the country.

Admiral Magruder said:—“l wish the people of Now Zealand health, happiness, prosperity and peace, and may God bless them all for ever.” Tn a. letter to the President of the Journalists Institute, who wrote on Itelialf of the pressmen, dissociating them from any reflections on the American seamen, published in a weekly paper last. week. Admiral Coontz says that it is inevitable that such prints should appear in every country. Me. however, rarely paid attention to such articles, ft was inevitable there should he a few men misbehave but the Fleet records showed these were very few indeed, and the Navy personnel was now composed of a high type of young Americans. A feature of the visit worthy oT mention is the good relations existing between the. visiting naval men and those of the FLAGS. Dunedin. The Entente was cemented by a smoke concert tendered to the visitors hv the Dunedin's crew.

VERY FEW LEFT BEHIND. WELLINGTON. Aug. 21. Very few sailors failed to join their ships here. Those who did miss their passage will probably he conveyed on a destroyer that was compelled to remain behind to recover two boats which were stranded at Evans Bay fillet, on Hie southern side ol the harbour during the night. One boat got adrift at three o’clock. When the discovery was made that I lie boat had disappeared. in at blinding storm, a motor launch was despatched to recover the first boat. After searching the harbour. the launch located the boat ashore at Evan’s Bay. hadlv smashed. Unfortunately its supply of benzine rail oul before Ihe launch could he brought hack lo a place ol safety. It too grounded and became a wreck. The destroyer’s crew have salvaged the vessel's engines and other valuable porI ions. CTIRTSTCHUBCrr. Aug. 21. A naval patrolman who missed his ship in Lyttelton on Friday missed the ferrv train on Saturday, and. as a result. he will have to he sent on the next mail steamer to Honolulu. The man reported, to the American Consular Agent here on Saturday morning, and he was accompanied hv a friend who promised to look after him lor the day. The next heard of hint was that the man lmd been found by the police, in a waiting room at the railway station at- 1 o’clock mi Sunday morning, he having missed the boat train. As a result he was taken into custody at the Consul’s request, and ho will he forwarded to the Fleet at Honolulu by the first steamer. Two American sailors arrived tn Lyttelton this afternoon, ami they endeavoured to get work on ships. As no work tots offering, they decided to return lo Christchurch. I heir reason for staying ashore was that, they wanted work on a ranch, hut they failed to obtain any. Both have adopted cm!iau dross.

DEPARTURE FBOM AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND. Aug. 21. To-day was a day of farewells between the American naval visitors and the real friends they are leaving behind. . . As a token of their appreciation ot the hospitality extended in Auckland. Admiral Robison has forwarded to the American Consul, for presentation to the Blind Institute, a cheque for one thousand pounds. "Every man in Fleet contributed, and the money is to he used as nit endowment to pay perpetually for the care and education of a child in the institute. Admiral Robison and staff spent a luisv dav in receiving and returning farewell 'courtesy call-. Ho» R. T. Bollard (Minister for Internal Allntrs) was received aboard the flagship California 1 v Admiral R 'bison at 10 o’clock. As the representative ol m Government, he hade farewell to the Admiral and his Fleet. The Mmiste was entertained aboard the vessel, and when he stooped ashore, was accorded a salute of 19 guns. The Admiral and hi* Staff returned the call at the Grand Hotel ai 11-9-m .Several of the officers were tno goests of Arr Bollard at luncheon. Interviewed. Admiral Robtsot, stud : •‘T would have to search my vncabnlniy to find proper ndiectives to express how we appreciate the wonderful w.D we have been received, and entertained It the people of Auckland, and ‘‘ oo a wav with out* hearts full o, good feeling towards you. AYo have had a wonderful time, and I want p™ ln realise that I am not saving the otdinavv P"lite thing.” There was a fervent note in his 'vei’ds that ■ proclaimed sincerity: “AA edo noH.Ue o slosh over.” he continued AA e ate too "rown up for that, ami it » ~so we want yin to understand our true feelings that every officer and man in the Fleet has gladly subscribed towards the gift to the Jubilee Institute for the Blind. AVe hope that this token of our regard will be a permanent reminder of our appreciation. It has

been an entirely delightful visit, and I sincerely hope our hosts have on joyed it as much as wo have. Our filial word is Kin Ora !” All shore leave ends at midnight tonight, and the battle Heel will put to sea at half past nine to-morrow morning. , The Filipino members <4 the crew ot ,|, t . battleship California prosettiod £G 4s to the Auckland Hospital as a token ni' gratitude for the city’s hospitality. OMAHA PATCHED WITH CEMENT. WELLINGTON, August 25. D is - stated that the light cruiser Omaha, dragged her anchor as she lay in the stream and humped into Marhle(ioad. striking a blow that was severe enough to cause a slight leakage. Temporary repairs were executed with cement which are considered to he sufficient till the vessel can he docked.