CAPTAIN HALSEY'S SPEECH.

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

CAPTAIN HALSEY'S SPEECH.

Upon Captain Halsey rising to respond, he was greeted with royal applause and a haka of welcome by the Scouts. "I. hardly know what to say to yon, Mr Chairman, ladies, and gentlemen, because it has never been my privilege to witness such a reception as you hare given us this afternoon,'* he began. "You and your magnificent harbour have given us a trnly -.magnificent -welcome-, to-day. . "We were met at -Rangitobo- 'by your outposte, so to apeak—(Laughter)—and,: much as we would have liked to stop and.delight in the spectacle tat greeted and delight in the spectacle that greeted and so disappoint the citizens of Auckland. -.. '.{Applause;). •':.■ 'i , "We ""SieriJ " ITowever," what a still more magnificent and epicni did reception awaited us on rounding the Heads into your, beautiful harbour." Continuing, Captain Halsey, said that the chairman had alluded to past naval visits to the port. He could only say that if the welcome accorded to those; visitors was as hearty as this 'one, it was something which* he would have ■thought impossible. (Cheers.) Captain Halsey said he realised thai it was, perhaps, only right of theuTas Xew Zealanders to give euch a hearty reception-mot to. him and his officers', but the fine ship which New Zealand had presented to the Motherland. (Cheers.) He concluded by .thanking the people of Auckland from the bottom of his heart for the hearty reception the ship had received on entering their port. (Loud cheers.) The party then proceeded to the Town Hall for the civic reception. '