SPECIAL SERVICE SQUADRON

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 181, 28 April 1924, Page 8

SPECIAL SERVICE SQUADRON

MANY THOUSANDS VISIT THE HOOD AND REPULSE

CONVENIENT AND ORDERLY ARRANGEMENTS No one will be able to complain that he or she could not inspect the two big battleships Hood and Repulse whilst they lay at the wharf in Wellington. Visitors are being made as welcome as the flowers in spring, even though the weather has been disclosing evidences of the approach of winter. The Wellington public have not been slow to take advantage of the fieedom conferred upon them by Vice-Admiral Sir Frederick Field, who holds that every citizen of the Empire should have the right to inspect the ships he helps to pay for. Though it was not made generally known, the ships were thrown open for inspection on the afternoon of Anzac Day, and some thousands of men, women and children went over them, feeling the mountains of armour plate which compose the great gun-turrets, and taking in the hundred and one mechanical marvels which make the Hood the greatest fighting ship ever known. The arrangements for allowing the people through the vessels as they lie at the Pipitea Wharf are excellent. Everyone can get through, and that without undue crowding, but the ships’ authorities insist gently but firmly that one must keep on the move in order that others following may see what is to be seen. So there is a regular “Cookes Tour” mapped out for the two vessels, and it has to be followed rigidly. As everything of interest inay be seen and explained, this is really far better than allowing visitors to wander about for hours, probably never realising the importance or ingenuity of anything that they may see. On Saturday morning a very large party of college members of tho Navy League visited the two ships, and were given an exceptional opportunity of exploring them. On Saturday and yesterday afternoon the ships were thrown open to the general public, and again there was a great rush for the privilege of personal inspection of the ships of which so much has been written and said. FIXTURES FOR TO-DAY The most picturesque and stirring event of to-day will be this morning’s ceremonial march through the city, over the route already announced, ending at Parliamentary grounds. The Governor-General (Viscount Jellicoe), with a guard of honour from H.M.S. Chatham, will taka the salute from Parliamentary steps. With him will be the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers, and military and naval representatives. The ships’ bands will be in attendance. The march will commence at 9.45 a.m. In tho event of this morning being wet, the Admiral advises that the ceremonial march will be postponed, till a date to be fixed. If so, three flags will be flown from tho clock tower of the G.P.O. shortly after 8 a.m., and two flags from the tower of the old Parliamentary Buildings.. Naval sports will fill in the afternoon at the Basin Reserve, and in the evening there will be the Navy League ball at the Town Hall. The Governor-General will attend the sports after the Government luncheon. and two bands will be present. The men will be provided with refreshments. The public are invited to be present. CHILDREN’S VISIT The following time-’table has been approved for visits of schools to. the ships. In all cases the visits are limited to children of the 6th, sth, and 4th standards, with those of Standard 3 who are eleven years of age or over: — To-day.—lt is desired that the following schools be in place on Waterloo Suay before 9.40, so as to witness also le "march of the naval force before going aboard the Repulse at 10 and the Hood at 11 o’clock: Clyde Quay, Kelburn, Thorndon, Te Aro, Mt. Cook Boys. Tuesday.—Repulse 10 to 11, Hood 11 to 12: Mt. Cook Girls, Island Bay, Hataitai, Rosene’ath. A special train will run from Upper Hutt, Lower Hutt, and district, but excluding Petone. Thursday.—Repulse 10 to H». and Hood, 11 to 12; Berhampore, South Miramar, Northlands, Seatoun, Muritai. A special train, at time to be announced, w’ill arrive from Petone. Friday.—Repulse, 10 to 11, Hood II to 12: Brooklyn, Newtown, Lyall Bay, South Wellington. Training College students: Hood 10 a.m. Arrangements regarding the remaining schools will be announced later. In order not to disappoint tho children who have been looking forward to the visit of tho fleet, the Railway authorities will make an effort to meet the requirements of the nearer children. A train will be run to-morrow, leaving Upper Hutt at 9.35 a.m., and arriving in Wellington 10.45 a.m.-, and will carry children from Upper Hutt and the district down to Lower Hutt and district, but excluding the Petone and Korokoro Schools. The train will return from Wellington at 1.30 p.m. It has been found impossible to vary the hours so as to allow a longer time in Wellington. Those who have promised to help to distribute refreshments to the children are asked to assemble at the harbour shed 39 at 9 a.m. tomorrow.