SCHOOL CHILDREN'S VISITS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 102, 30 April 1913, Page 5

SCHOOL CHILDREN'S VISITS.

FACILITIES FOR COUNTRY SCHOLARS. COMPLETE ARRANGEMENTS. A special feature is being made of the facilities for the country school children to visit the ship, and 'Mr. J. Hislop, the Under-Secretary for Internal Affairs, has made most complete arrangements in thi3 idirection. This morning about 600 children from Henderson and the intermediate stations were taken on board, and swarmed all over the ship. The officers and men were extremely kind ki looking after the youngsters, who thoroughly enjoyed their visit to the battleship about which they had heard so much, and ahout which, no doubt, every one of them will be required to write an essay during the next few days. They were shown all over the enormous fighting machine, and, although it is hard to impress the modern child, this morning's visitors certainly seemed to appreciate the stupendousness of the battleship. To-morrow the Onehunga children will go on boaTd at 9.45, and the Mercer children at 10.30. A number of children from Rotorua, Waihi, and other out districts, to the number of 485, who are arriving this evening, will also go on board to-morrow. In the interest -of the children's own safety, it is desirable that no children of tender years will be taken on board. No matter how excellent the supervision of teachers and others, it is extremely hard to make children realise the need ■there is for the greatest care in going to and from the ship, and it would not be fair for parents to hamper the supervisors with very young children. The Devonport Ferry Company has kindly offered to carry school children free to and from the ship, and the offer has been gratefully accepted by the Government. Mr. Hislop has engaged the Masonic Hall in Princes Street for the children to lunch in, after which they will be taken to the Park or the Museum, according to the weather, so that while waiting for their trains they will be under the supervision of some responsible persons. In their visits to the warship the children are accompanied by teachers and members of the committee. The Education Board to-day decided to take a favourable opportunity to convey in person to Captain Ha-lsey, the officers and men of the New Zealand a hearty welcome to Auckland from 15,000 school children and their parents, of the Anckland Education Board district. Headmasters wishing to communicate with Mr. Hislop will find him at the office of the Education Board.