H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND AT TIMARU.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3945, 30 May 1913, Page 6

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND AT TIMARU.

A DAY OF DISAPPOINTMENTS

HEAVY SWELL AND A NASTY SQUALL.

LPHESS ASSOCIATION TELEGHAAn TIMARU, May 29. a A very fine mormug induced a large number of country people to visit Tima.ru tc-dav to inspect the battleship. Four special trains were run from Orari, Fairiie, and Waimate (2), these bringing -in big loads. Unfortunately thero was a heavy swell in the roadstead where the New Zealand was anchored, about two miles out, and this proved too big to allow the Government steamers or any tiling else except small launches to lie alongside. Consequently, the school children could not be put aboard. They were, however, taken in parties round the ship and given a good close view of her.

The Coriima and five smaller steamers and some of the bigger fishing launches busily plied kail day from 10 to 4, taking parties to see the ship and thousands must- have gone. A few—very feu - —got aboard with difficulty from the small launches, and had great difficulty in getting off again. An official party of between 30’ and 40 people went off in the small steamer Cygnet at 8.30, accompanied by a party of Maoris. The Mayor formally welcomed-Captain-Halsey and his officers and men to Timaru, and the welcome was acknowledged. Mr. H. Kailiu, Mrs Rickers, and others made presents to Captain Halsey, and Mr. Kailiu spoke a welcome in Maori.

In the course of Ids remarks he contrasted the New Zealand with the native canoe in which lie had made trips up and down the coast, and said it was remarkable ewe great-.change that had come about in these few years. Mrs. Rickers added a welcome on behalf of the Maori women.

Captain'Halsey made a- suitable reply. Elaborate preparations had been made for luncheons to the officers and men’s sports in connection with the men’s sports in cenneotion with the presentation of a silk Ensign 24ft by 12ft and a Union Jack to match from the women’s branch of the Navy League, but to everyone’s disappointment a strong southerly squall came up at- 11.30 a.m. and a strong breeze continued throughout the afternoon, making a choppy sea on top of the swell, and consequently Captain Halsey deemed it. prudent to remain on ’the ship. General Godley had come down with the ship from Akaroa, and intended to Land here and go north by the first express, but at Captain Halsey’s request, he cancelled his engagements and attended the lunch and received the flags on his behalf, and the programme was generally adhered to, except the sports. The flags, which were enclosed in a neat oak casket, were presentedby Mrs Edgar Jones (late of Mt. Nessing), president of the women’s branch of the Navy League (Timaru Centre) on behalf of the women of New Zealand.

Mrs Jones made a short address appropriate to the purpose and General Godley, in accepting the gift on behalf of Captain Halsey, expressed the latter’s regret that lie was tillable to be present and his own pride in having the honor to act as substitute in so interesting and patriotic a ceremony.

But for the unfortunate squall upsetting the official arrangements, the day passed off well. It is considered that there have.never been so many people in Timaru before—certainly never so many on and about the bay. The New Zealand left about 6-30 p.m. for Oaniaru, going very slowly.