A Peep at the Blacks' by Ian Clark

Author:Ian Clark [Ian Clark]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: De Gruyter Open
Published: 2016-02-21T16:00:00+00:00

4.14 The British Squadron and Members of the Methodist Church, March 1924

In 1923–24, HMS Hood and the Special Service Squadron sailed around the world on ‘The Empire Cruise’ visiting ports of call of all the countries which had fought together in the First World War. The ships involved were battlecruisers under Vice Admiral Sir Frederick Field: HMS Hood and HMS Repulse and light cruisers under Rear Admiral Sir Hubert Brand: HMS Delhi, HMS Danae, HMS Dragon, HMS Dauntless, and HMS Adelaide . In March 1924, The Argus reported on their visit to Healesville:

Healesville, Thursday. Never before has Healesville presented such a gay and festive appearance as it did today, when 80 officers and men of the British Squadron, accompanied by clergy and members of the Methodist Church, visited Healesville. Other visitors accompanying the seamen numbered more than 100. … The visitors were then entertained at lunch by Mr. F.J. Cato, a leading member of the Methodist Church. Several toasts were honoured, after which exhibitions of boomerang and spear throwing, and fire-stick kindling, given by Coranderrk aborigines were witnessed. Pleasure trips over the Blacks’ Spur and other places of interest were made, and shortly before 5 o’clock the parties returned to Healesville, where tea was served in the Memorial Hall (The Argus, 21/3/ 1924).

The Healesville and Yarra Glen Guardian (29/3/1924) added that after the official speeches in the Memorial Hall, the ‘gathering then dispersed and were entertained outside with exhibitions of fire-stick kindling, boomerang and spear throwing by “Lanky” Manton and “Billy” Russell.

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