THE GIFT DREADNOUGHT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3831, 14 May 1913, Page 5

THE GIFT DREADNOUGHT.

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND AT LYTTELTON.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME.

[press association telegram.] CHRISTCHURCH, May 13

__ To witness the arrival of H.M.S. New Zealand large numbers travelled to Lyttelton this morning, and were rewarded by viewing the great ship corning np the harbor and berthing at one of the wharves. In addition to the Harbor Board’s invited guests, who went out in the dredge “Canterbury,” and other bodies who went out in small steamers, thero was a largo crowd on the Maori. A flotilla of vessels accompanied the warship in from the"heads, where she anchored at 1 a.m. to-day. About 8.30 the anchors were up and she was berthed shortly before 10 o’clock. At 11. o’clock several official'calls .were made on Captain Halsey, and in the afternoon at the Theatre Roval Captain Hulsey and several of his officers returned the call made upon them by the Mayors of Christchurch and tho surrounding district, the Chairman of the Harbor Board, and the Chairman of the several local bodies. The proceedings were most enthusiastic, and Captain Halsey’s speech evoked much applause. In the evening 200 men from tho warship were entertained at a smoking concert. Speeches were given by ’the Mayor (.Mr H. Holland), Chairman of the Lyttelton Harbor Board (Mr R„ Moore), president of the Canterbury branch of the Navy League (Mr J. J. Donga 1 ,!), and the president of the Veterans’ Association (Mr J. Trimbell). Captain Halsey, on rising to speak, received a great ovation, cheers following applause, and “He’s a-jolly good fellow” being sung. After returning thanks. Captain Halsey said he hoped that the citizens of Christchurch would all come aboard to see the fine ship which the Dominion had given to the Mother Country. They in the Navy had no politics, but he thought it was only right to say that the Government of the day when the ship was given was presided over by Sir Joseph Ward. The gift of tho siiip had been of the greatest value to the Empire in more ways than one. For one thing it had led other Dominions to do the same thing and caused possible enemies to see what Great Britain could produce, in "Greater Britain. There could bo no doubt that the presence of that ship in the Dominion had made a tremendous stir in Europe. Thero was another Government in power now, and lie wanted to give all honor to the present Government, who had so heartily arranged for tho comfort of the New Zealand in Now Zealand waters. It was said—;yid ho hoped it always would he said all over the Empire—that politics had nothing to do with tho Navy, and ho was glad to see that was exemplified so well in New Zealand—(applause). Continuing, Captain Halsey pointed out the. value of the school children’s visits to the ship. So far the ship’s company’- had received nothing but kindness in New Zealand, and he desired to return sincere thanks for all tho kindness shown. Ho would only like to ask that the people would not he over hospitable, for such was quite possible. Ho wanted them all to Jig reasonable—a (The was sure they would be. He was thankful that Lyttelton Harbor had l>een so improved as to make it possible for the ship to come up te the wharf. The credit for bringing the ship into tho harbor so well was due to the chief pilot, Captain Thorpe, and not to himself as the Mayor had said—(loud applause).