H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND GREAT RUSH OF VISITORS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 93, 21 April 1913, Page 2

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND GREAT RUSH OF VISITORS

TREMENDOUS CROWDS ON THE WARSHIP. Saturday and Sunday last should long be remembered by the officers ahd crew of H.M.S. New Zealand. On Saturday afternoon the vessel' was black with people, but it was as nothing to the crush on Sunday afternoon. The crew had a respite on Sunday morning, the only visitors being some friends who attended the church service and a contingent of tramway men, but from 1 o^clock onwards the city folk and country people took charge of the Vessel. The Ferry Company had all its steamers engaged and in each run the little vessels took the full complement allowed them. There was a tremendous crush at the Ferry Wharf, thousands of people struggling to obtain tickets, and many Sunday raiments bore testimony of the struggles of the people. It is estimated that there were 12,000 people on the wharves endeavouring to obtain transit to the warship, but only about half of this number could be taken on board. If the warship could have held any more the ferry steamers could have carried them across, but there is a limit to all things. The press was so great that the ticket boxes were carried bodily along the wharf. The scene on the warship was a notable one, and the crowd was a record one. Locomotion was an extreme difficulty, and those who were aboard tho warship for the first time were sadly disappointed in not seeing all they wished to see. The members of the crew were consideration personified, and under the circumstances did all they could to give information about and practical instruction of the guns and other interesting objects. The people crowded into every space, and the more daring made expeditions Up the masts to the fire control Btations. Several women and children were severely crushed in the crowds, and there were a few fainting cases to be (attended. In view of the great press of people it was little short of wonderful that there were no serious accidents recorded. TRAMWAY MEN ON BOARD. On Sunday morning, by the courtesy of Captain Halsey, as many men employed in the traffic department of tho city tramway© a» could be spared paid a visit to H.M.S. New Zealand. About 250 men were taken to the warship on board the Wellington Ferry Company's steamer Admiral. Councillor Fletcher had interviewed Mr. Zohfab,' the manager of the company, as to means of transit, and the company very kindly gave the services of the Admiral free of charge. The party had an interesting hour on board, and were shown as many wonders of the ship as time permitted, by the ever courteous seamen. On returning to the Ferry Wharf, Councillor Fletcher, on behalf of ,the tram men, thanked Mr. Zohrab for his kindness in allowing the free- use of the steamer, which was endorsed by hearty cheering from the tram men, and the playing of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow, ' by the Tramway Band. Cheers were also given for Councillor Fletcher. It was the intention of the members of the band to have entertained the crew by playing a few selectiojis, but as Divine Service was beihg held at the time of the visit, this could not be done. This morning Captain Halsey entertained the members of the Wellington and Wellesley Clubs and the members of the various reception commitees. This afternoon " children from the Catholic schools of 'the "city, and frdm the public schools from Hukanui and Masterton, visited the vessel. The Mayor of Miramar (Mr. M'Leod) this morning took a party of officers for a motor ride round the borough of Miramar. The Wellington Ferry Company is entertaining a large number of the crew at a picnic at Day's Bay to-day. This evening a party of 150 officers and men are to witness the performance of "The Blue Bird" at the Opera House, at the invitation of J. C. Williamson, Ltd. The final trip for members of the Navy League was made on Saturday, when about 600- members visited' the vessel. To-morrow evening the Wellington' Branch of the Australasian Institute of Marine Engineers will entertain at dinner the officers and engineers of the warship, This afternoon a football match is being played at Newtown Park between ♦ team from the ship and the Tramways Club team. Te Heu Heu, the well-known Maori chief, has presented Captain Halsey with an ancient piece of greenstone— a Kuritangiwai. The gift was on view on the warship yesterday and attracted much attention.