Visit of H.M.'s Ship Sappho.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2638, 22 June 1877, Page 2

Visit of H.M.s Ship Sappho.

, — '— , •.- ■ ■ BANQUET TO THE OFFICERS. Captain Digby and the officers of the man of war Sappho were entertained at dinner .at the Governor Bowen Hotel last night By Major Cooper and the officers of the various volunteeit corps on the Thames. The visit of a. man of war of Her Majesty's fleet was looked upon as an event not likely to occur often, and as soon as it was known that the visit was intended there" was an almost unanimous desire to do something in the way of entertaining the naval visitors. Owing to the weather the visit lias been curtailed one day, but the numbers who visited the Sappho yesterday show that the people of this district feel a large ' terest in the navy, and if it Were possi' c for a ship of war toapproach within reasonable distance of the township, we feel assured that there are few who would not •avail themselves" of the. .opportunity : of inspecting such vessel. However, as the Sappho had to lay far out, and as her stay was short, the cuizens of the Thames were deprived of the opportunity of showing how hospitable they could be, and the means of entertaining the officers; of the navy were circumscribed, owing 'to the fact that it impossible to crowd into a few hours a programme that would have extended over days. ; , Private and publ' arrangements were therefor^ abandoneu in favor /of a dinner by" the officers of volunteers to their brethren of a regular, arm of the service,which took place last night, and although hurriedly got; up, to b& a very successful gathering. There was no time for a public demonstration, and the committee determined to limit the issue of tickets to officers of volunteer and colonial forces and honorary .| members of the same, and a few* guests besides the officers of the. Sappho, so that about thirty was the hum-, ber that sat down last night to the spread at, the Bowen. Major Cooper, officer commanding the district, occupied the chair, and Captain Fraser, R.M M the vicechair. On the right of the chairman were Captain Digby, the Rev. Father Chastcgnon, Captain Goldsmith, and Hon. Surgeon Kilgour ; on the left, His /Worship the Mayor of Auckland, W^.; J. Hurst, Esq., the Rev. V. Lush, ancLCaptain Macdonald, Mayor of Thames. f On the right of Captain Fraser were L. Ehrenfried, Esq., and Captain W. H. Taipari, Native Volunteers; on the left, Bore ugh Councillor John Read and A. Brodie, Esq., ; County Chairman. There were alsos present of the officers of the Sappho, Lieuti-' F. Henderson, Navigating Lieutenant Perm, Staff-Surgeon P. Keelan, Paymaster J. Ashton, and Sub-Lieutenant A. Kempe; of Volunteers besides those above mentioned and citizens—Captain Murray, Lieut. Johnstqne and, Captain Mennie, Thames Scottish ; Captain Best, Naval Brigade ; Captain Paul and SubLieut. Denby, No. 2 flauraki Rifles. Captain Power,, N.Z. Militia ; Captain . Schoficld; Messrs Hopcraft, Woodward, and. Cameron. The hour fixed for the banquet was six o'clock, and viiry shortly after that hour, the company having assembled, and grace having been said by Rev. V. Lush, the banquet was commenced^ Considering the short notice Mr Symington had had, the bill of fare was most satisfactory, and after that had been disposed of the Chairman proceeded with the toasts. He proposed the first toast of "The Queen," which was loyally responded to. Then followed " H.R.H. the Prince of Wales and the rest of'thy Royal Family," by the Vice-chairman, which was also responded to right loyally. In proposing the toast the Vice-chairmr ' said that all would regret • the causes which had prevented the Prince of Wales from carrying out his projected visit to the Colonies this year. The next toast was " The Navy, Army and Auxiliary Forces," proposed by Dr Kilgour in a happy speech, and, after full justice had been done to it, responded to by Captain Digby for the Navy, Major Cooper for the army, and Captain Murray for tho auxiliary forces. " The Governor,'' was proposed by the chairman, and cordially received. The next toast was " Captain Digby and Officers of H.M.S. Sappho," by the chairman, and it is needless to say , liat this, the toast of the evening,

was received with the utmost cordiality. It was resj Dnded to by Captain Digby, who returned thanks for the courtesy shown to him and his officers, andexpressed the: hope (bat he-would be able to visit this port on some future occasion, when he hoped they would be able to get over the bar and come a little nearer to the town;. He said be Cully appreciated the kindness audifcourtesy that had been extended to hi'ni and his officers. In his iour-"of.the;goldfield that day.he had been interested, instructed and amused, and he hoped next time he came to get inside the bar. He did not feel safe lying off so far. Lieutenant Henderson also returned thanks,' during which he said "thailf their reception had been most kind and unexpected. Captain J. E. Macdonald propojed, in- a characteristically-humorous speech, " The. Mayor of Auckland," which was duly honored, and responded to by W. J. Hurst, Esq., in an excellent speech. "The Ladies" was proposed by Mr L. Ehrenfried. ;in •appropriate' .-terms; and ..was responded-to by Lieutenant Kempe arid Mr Woodward. " The Mayor of Thames " was proposed by Mr Hurstj arid frank: with great cordiality, Mr Macdonald replyinfi; in a speech in ; which brevity was-the prominent feature. ;■ Captain Digby: then/returned thanks for! the hospitality■ j which, had been extended to him and his officers,; and again expressed the hope^that he would be able to pay; another visitto the Thames. "The Host and Hostess " was the last toast, and;it was well received, great credit .being- accorded to Mr Symington "for his success in preparing a spread at such a short, noiice". .The band of the Thames Scottish was in attendance and played appropriate airs during the dinner, and in honor 1 of the various toasts;