The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY THURSDAY, MAY 8, 1924. A HAPPY COMPROMISE.

Gisborne Times, Volume LX, Issue 9799, 8 May 1924, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY THURSDAY, MAY 8, 1924. A HAPPY COMPROMISE.

The people of Poverty Bay will be delighted to learn, that it has been possible to secure a re-arrangement in connection with the itinerary of the Imperial Service Squadron so as to enable this district to participate in its reception to the extent of having a comparatively lengthy visit on the part of H.M.S. Repulse, the second largest unit, and, in addition, to have a glimpse of the monster warship, H.M.S. Hood, and her escort on route to Auckland. It may be recalled that the original intention was that the main vessels of the touring' squadron should enter the Bay and make only a very short stay. Unhappily, the time scheduled for the visit, as then planned, would have been so. inconvenient, on account of it being low water, tiiat the public would have been unable to go out to the visiting vessels and. consequently, any such visit must have been, in great measure, a failure. When the awkward position was put before Admiral Field, he suggested an alternative, which ’was, however, disappointing to a degree, viz., that the fleet should not stop at all here, but pass at a very slow speed. Naturally, the acute disappointment that arose ill regard to the matter led to a widespread movement, aiming at enlisting the kind offices of Mr Massey in an effort to secure much better treatment for this district. And the further revision of the matter that has now to ho recorded shows that the appeal was not unavailing. It is, seemingly, impossible to persaude an Admiral of the Fleet to make drastic alterations in his time-table for punctuality is one of the watchwords of the Royal Navy. On his part, Admiral Field has not, therefore, agreed to delay Ids fixed time of arrival at Auckland a single moment. But, thanks to the interposition of Mr. Massey, ho has arranged to get over £he difficulty by detaching H.M.S. Repulse from his squadron and sending her on ahead to Gisborne, where she will arrive at S o’clock to-morrow morning, rejoining the main squadron as it passes Poverty Bay in the I middle of the afternoon. In the circumstances the public must feel that a very happy compromise has now been arranged. Poverty Bay is now ito he honored, whereas its people I would, rightly, have regarded it as a slight on its historic associations, | as well as on their intense patriotism, | if they had had to he content merely i with a glimpse of the, Service Squad- ; ron as it passed by. ' But the brief | period allowed for completing the ari rangements for the visit of H.M.S. | Repulse will make to-day a very busy | one for all who are in a position to I assist. "Whether it will' he possible to I arrange for Captain Parker and a ! contingent of his officers and men to i land and he entertained is not yet | known. Let it he hoped that such [ will be the case. But this can he i said with certainty: every endeavour i must lie made to* enable as many of j tho country children, as well as the j town children, to go aboard this important vessel of the Royal Navy. In Wellington, H.M.S. Repulse proved a veritable, if novel, play-ground for the young folk and her visit here, too, should long he remembered. To on able her visit to he made a complete success, much, however, requires to he done to-day, as well as to-morrow. Many .volunteers will fee needed, but the people, of Gishorno can he depended upon, as in tho past, to arise to such an important occasion.