THE PORT RECEPTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 101, 29 April 1913, Page 5

THE PORT RECEPTION.

SCENE OF ENTHUSIASM. Long before the time appointed for the Harbour Board reception of Captain Halsey and his officers, in welcoming them to the port, Queen Street wharf and all other coigns of vantage were occupied by an enthusiastic crowd o"f sightseers eager to catchy a glimpse of the gallant captaiff and the staff. The fluttering pennantsjbiimming multitude, and general enthusiasm all' combined to the verve and spirit of the occasion. A military touch was lent by the presence of a large detachment of boy scouts, with their company banners, who were formed as ■ a guard of honour around the dais at which the visitors received their port welcome. It was 2.30 p.m. before Captain Halsey left the bridge, and he received a number of representatives of the Koy&l JiTaval Association before leaving the; ship to receive a welcome from the port authorities. He was also visited, before leaving the ship, by the Harbourmaster (Capt. Sargeant) and the secretary (Mr. Burnett). During the lull f hour that preceded Captain Halsey"s departure for the official reception ashore, hundreds of small craft ' cruieed round and round...the ■battleship, the band .aboard the ship meanwhile playing inspiring music. A feature bf the procession past the ship was the inclusion of two boats filled :by scholars from St. Stephen's 'Maori School, and they gave those aboard the fighting snip a typical native welcome, much to the amusement ancl apparent interest of the men' aboard. The chip was brought to anchor at five minutes to 2, and the "Star" representatives, who at once proceeded aboard, were informed by the ofScere that the trip from Uieborne had been in every way a pleasant one. The actual Stay at Poverty Bay had I>een- marred ■by bad weather, hut the run up the East Coast to Auckland' proved to be most thoroughly enjoyable. Their flret vnrpreFsione of the Waiteniata they described ac being quite unlike anything they had hitherto experienced on their tour. The beauties of the harbour, and the enthusiastic welcome had received from the thousands of people who proceeded out into *he Gulf to meet them, had, β-aid one young ■ officer, surprised and delighted them.. "It was a magnificent reception,' , he declared, '"and we have been made to feel ac if our welcome to Auckland 4»-iad*ed * hearty tmr ..:.- ■■-■■' - '■ J