Mount Vernon (AP 22) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 67 text:

, . ftj 1m 1 fe? ' Wj Til ES iiu ' ' ' V J mug i The best place to get coffee is the American Bar was the word whispered around, and all hands managed a stop there betore return- ing to the ship. Movie theatres booked each performance. Each show was sched- uled and shown as if it were a stage production. The short subjects came first, then the interval during which tea, coffee, ice cream and biscuits were sold. Then the picture. The streets were packed for the next half hour as the down towners hurried to catch the last tram home. At the dance hall in Albert ' s Park could be found the men of the ship. Tours out to Mount Eden, an extinct volcano, were made by tram or bus. The town across the bay attracted many, but the ferry trip caused most of the men to remain in the Auckland area.

Page 66 text:

Purchasing greenstone rings, and the Maori Ticki (their good luck charm) carved boxes and other articles made from para shells, the crew found the shop keepers showing the half penny with the Maori ticki em- bossed on it. These cut out, made bracelet charms. Several of the many restaurants were serving the evening meal. A five course dinner could be purchased for thirty-five cents. The wait- resses always asked the sailors if they wanted lettuce and tomato. Des- sert and beverage always came extra. The room space in all shops was small. The restaurants were crowded with minute tables, and the waitresses had to do a great deal of careful maneuvering. Carrying their trays of steak and eggs or fish and chips, they looked in complete bewilderment at the food desires of the Americans.

Page 68 text:

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