CRUISER SQUADRON.

Gisborne Times, Volume LX, Issue 9797, 6 May 1924, Page 6

CRUISER SQUADRON.

SOUTHERLY GALES AT WELLINGTON.

HOOD STILL PROVES MOST POPULAR SHIP.

CROWDS OF CHILDREN EXPECTED TO-DAY.

WELLINGTON, May 5. A long lasting bitterly southerly has come as a sudden and sharp, contrast to our Indian summer. A high ivind has been accompanied with rain and hail. As a matter of fact the bracing weather is welcomed by the majority of healthy people, and by none more than the officers and men on the battle cruisers in port. As is usually the case such people are glad to get away from a long spell of hot weather such as the fleet lias experienced in the tropics and in Australia. As in Australia, here also it is the Hood that has the greatest fascination for the '•crowd, but as a matter of fact the average person ■will get more attention on the Repulse and there generally the crowd is not so great and with two such big ships as the Hood and the Repulse, in port the Adelaide oi the Australian) Is aw has naturally been neglected but all the same many New Zealanders have a warm corner in their hearts for tlie“Aussies,” and the latter are enjoying themselves. On the Repulse, great preparations are being made to entertain the crowds of children expected tomorrow, and on Wednesday. Jack iars have! been busy and there will be rounld-a-bout, jazz ladders, chutes, etc., to amuse the youngsters, tonight a squadron officers dance was to have been held on the Hood, hut owiim to continued boisterous weather it will _b:< held at Government House which his Excellency, Lord Jellicoe, has placed at the disposal of the officers for the purpose. —Special.

DAUNTLESS AT THE BLUFF

ENTHUSIASTIC! WELCOME

INVERCARGILL, May 5. H.M.S. Dauntless arrived at Bluff this afternoon- and the officers and men were accorded a most enthusiastic reception. Official calls occupied the remainder of the afternoon and this evening a social function held at the Bluff. The Dauntless remains here till Thursday, and a comprehensive programme of entertainment has been'drawn up.—P.A.

BLUEJACKETS AT MASTERTON

AN ENJOYABLE OUTING

MASTERTON, May 5. Though dirty weather prevailed, pronounced success met the efforts cf the civic reception committee which entertained a detaclifent of 400 men and petty officers of the Service Squadron,, who visited Masterton today. A sumptuous spread was laid out in the spacious municipal hall, where the bluejackets were waited on by members of the Navy League. A drive round the countryside occupied the earlv portion of the afternoon and, later, th'e Wairarapa soccer reps, played a Hood team at Park Oval, the Navy men being defeated, by 2 to 1. The company repaired to the Municipal Hall for tea and entrained at dark for. Wellington.—P.A.

GISBORNE'S FLEETING GLANCE. HOOD WILL PROBABLY BE FIVE MILES OUT. CRUISERS TO ENTER BAY. Numerous representation* have been made to Admiral Fuad and Mr Air. ssey that the speei il sen ice squadron should visit Poverty Bay, even it for a few hours only. _ln all cases the reply has been unsatisfactory, and yesterday yc-t another refusal was received in Gisborne. It now appea.s extremely unlikely that the residents of Poverty Bay will have any opportunity of obtaining a close view ui thc-so monster ships. A telegram sent to the chairman of the Harbor Board (Mr G. Smith) reads as follows: “Battle-cruisers will pass three miles to east Tuahine Point Light. Cruisers will enter Poverty Bav, passing as close as practicable to Gisborne at 4 p.m. on May 9.”

A well-known skipper discussing the message last evening stated that it apparently meant that the Rood and the Repulse would not enter the Ba\ at all, but would steam across from the direction of Mahia following the Ai nhura’s usual courso to Auckland. In dus opinion the vessels would ue piobably four to five miles off the Gisborne breakwater. Undoubtedly the best spot to view these ships would he from Waiimi beach.

The cruisers, which apparently meant the light cruisers attached to the squadron would, ho thought, steam in fairly close to the shore, nearer perhaps than the Arahura anchorage. The public therefore should obtain a fairly good view of these vessels from the gioyne.

WELCOME. THE BRITISH NAVAL SQUADRON NEW ZEALAND—ABRIL, 1924. Here’s welcome the Fleet, arise on your feet, With cheers for the flag they sail under, Grip well by the hand, the men as they land From ships that have voices of thunder. Our visitors saw how, during the war, We proved our fidelity loyal, The goodwill they bring from our much-beloved King, Assures a reception that’s royal. The aid which they gave, both arduous and brave, Was such to be ever remembered, The victory attained would not have been gained But through service the British Fleet rendered. Still let us all pray, for the glorious day That will give to the world lasting peace. God grant this ■with haste, then the terrible waste Oi brave lives and rich treasures will cease. But unt.i that day, ’twero foolish to soy That cruisers with guns are rot needed. Our line of defence must not be prate nee, Lest the enemy enters unheeded. Then here’s to the Fleet, stand up on your feet Give cheers for the brave British icon. Which keeps fees at hay, and finds here to-day Worthy sons of a noble old scion. —PATRIU3. Brisbane.