CIVIC RECEPTION

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21373, 18 March 1941, Page 6

CIVIC RECEPTION

CROWD’S ENTHUSIASM THOUSANDS LINE STREETS CONFETTI AND STREAMERS (By Telegraph.—Press Association) AUCKLAND, Tuesday With showers of confetti, streamers spanning the street, enthusiastic handclapping and cheering, many thousands of Aucklanders today expressed their gratitude for the United States’ help in the war against aggression wnen 250 sailors, representing the six American warships in port, marched up Queen Street to the Town Hall, where they were accorded a most enthusiastic outdoor civic reception in the presence of a dense mass of citizens. The tall, well-proportioned sailors created a fine impression by their general bearing and efficient marching. The parade was commanded by Lieutenant Firth, of the cruiser Brooklyn. The warmth of the reception was obviously appreciated by the guests of hopour, but true to the tradition of the sea they revealed their feelings only by smiling countenances. The most piquant scene of the memorable civic reception was when Captain Stone was cheered to the echo by the large crowd in front of th* Town Hall as he stood up to respond to the greetings extended by fihe Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, and Commodore A. Parry, Mr Hendry Luke. Chairman of the Harbour Board, and Mr Tai Mitchell, of Rotorua, representing the Maori people. Visits of Goodwill Captain Stone stood erect. He was an impressive figure in his naval uniform bearing about his shoulders a kiwi mat, and in his hands he carried the patu and the taiaha of a chieftain, presented to him by Mrs Mitchell on behalf of the Maori people. With a courtly gesture Captain stone bent forward and kissed Mrs Mitchell’s hand. Addressing the citizens, Captain Stone expressed the thanks of the officers and men, and on behalf of the American people extended their thanks for the manner in which Auckland had entertained and cared for the American women evacuees from China, when they called recently. That had made a profound impression in the United States. Captain Stone referred to the previous' naval visits on missions of goodwill. Speaking of the visit of the Great White Fleet in 1908, he said that the very far-seeing gesture by the then President, Theodore Roosevelt, established friendship with the British Dominions in the Southern Pacific.