READY AYE READY!

Gisborne Times, Volume LX, Issue 9801, 10 May 1924, Page 5

READY AYE READY!

VISIT OF H.M.S. REPULSE TO GISBORNE. CROWDS INSPECT MAGNIFICENT WARSHIP. AN IMPOSING SPECTACLE IN THE BAY. In bright sunshine the battle-cruiser Repulse, the second biggest vessel attached to the Special Service Squadron, steamed slowly into the Bay at ■precisely 8 o’clock yesterday and cast anchor. This modern mammoth of the British Fleet moves majestically and her great form and stateliness , impressed the hundreds of people who watched the entry from convenient • vantage points round the harbor and beaches. Not §ince the visit of the New Zealand and the Renown, the sister ship to the Repulse, has Gisborne seen such an imposing spectacle as the great battle-cruiser silhouetted against the morning sunlight. . Her slim, massive grey form and great guns obtruding against the background reminded one of the might of the British Navy, of which the Repulse is but a unit. The battle-cruiser ‘ is but one of the envoys of the de„ta clime nt of great vessels to assure tho Dominions that the guardian shield of Empire still stands. The visit of the Repulse to Gisborne was a “red letter day” for the children of the district though tinged with disappointment for many of this, country youngsters, who were not able to board the vast fighting machine. Tho pupils of the town schools and those of the public who were fortunate in getting aboard early in the day inspected “the. battle-cruiser from stem to stern, from top to bottom in e\ cry nook and eranney, asking all • manner of questions, intelligent and idiotic —it was a novel experience for many of a modern battleship. f lo thechildren who scrambled over the mimandcr “the children of Poverty Bay lives and in the words of the Commander “the cluldrtii of Poverty Bay will have a lasting impression; the> will bo imbued with a greater sense of patriotism, and they will have a deeper realisation of what ‘Our Naiy means.” The morning broke bright and clout with only a "slight northerly breeze. Long before the appointed hour of the cruiser’s arrival the fringe of the harbor and other vantage points were thronged with people all excitecuv straining to catch a glimpse of tiie vessel. Tho trains and motor cars were all packed and were early on the road to the waterfront. At the groyne, hundreds of children bad assemble^. “Here she is!” yelled a voice and the excited clamor of the youngsters increased in volume and hearty cheers rang out across the waters w the naval visitor as she hove to and cast anchor. There she lay, a majestic form, riding freely and easily. The Anthura passed close by the cruiser on going to her anchorage and passengers had a fine view, while on iue outward tender the Tuatea cruised # round the warship.

HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN PRESENT.

Hundreds of eager, happy children in charge of teachers made an animated scene on the groyne. The three lighters, Matata, Matuku and Eliza to convey them to the Repulse were drawn alongside the wharf and before 8 o’clock the youngsters 'were pushing and shoving to get aboard tho first lighters. The Matuku with 350 passengers was the first to. get away about 8.30 a.m., and immediately the embarking of the children on the Matata was commenced and sin followed the Matuku out to the cruiser. The third lighter, the Eliza Allen,- was reserved for High School children, and tho work of embarkation was accomplished without any untoward incident. The High Sebum children had to wait at the groyne for over an hour until the Harbor Board launch returned from the vessel, and the lighter was then taken out to the bar. As there wore still a large number of the town children waiting on tho wharf the Matata and Matuku returned again to the wharf and made ini ther trips with the children. THE OFFICIAL VISIT.

A party of representative citizens made the official cadi on the Commander, Captain Parker, about 5.30 a.m. Tlie launch Tukitinru left the whan just after 8 o’clock, conveying following members of tho party: The Mayor (.Mr G. Wildish), the chairman of the Harbor Board ;(Mr G. Smith), Canon Paeke and Mi F. J. Rowley (Navy League), Mr T. B. Spence (chairman of the Waikohu County Council), Air C. G. Bloore (prescient of tiio Chamber of Commerce), Messrs R. M. Birred 1, T. Todd, R. I>. B. Robinson, A. xoung, H. Barton, E. Campbell and Appleton. At the head of the gangway tne visitors were received by Captain Parker and iiis officers, the Mayor introducing the other guests. Jn discussing arrangements Captain Parker said that no instructions further than that the Repulse was to visit Gisborne were given him. Under the circumstances ho could nob permit any of the officers or crew to go ashore as lie had orders to leave at 1.20 p.m.

The Mayor on behalf of the citizens expressed pleasure at being able to welcome the Repulse, the officers and crew. The people of the district had been given to understand that they would not see any ships of the Service Squadron, but tlig subsequent decision that the .Repulse should anchor at Gisborne had been acclaimed and tliev were exceedingly gratified at the visit. Tie regretted it was not possible for some of the officers to land, in view of the fact that the Bay was Captain Cook’s first landing place in New Zealand and held an historic interest for naval men. A memorial to Captain Cook had been raised by the district and he appreciated the opportunity to extend a cordial welcome to the men who were maintaining the traditions of the British Navy. Mr W. I>. Lysnar, M.P., spoke appreciatively of the action of the authorities iii allowing the children of Poverty Bay to see such a fine fighting ship. The visit would prove of great benefit to the children and would create a lasting impression. Mr G. Smith cqrdiafiy welcomed the Repulse officers and crew and remarked upon the benefit which would he conferred upon the younger generation by tho visit. Captain Parker in expressing regret that the Repulse could not prolong her stay further than 1.20 p.m. pointed out that tho visit was arranged only at the last minute and tlitj were doing tho best possible under tho circumstances. Tho Repulse, like other vessels of the,- Navy, specialised in looking after the children as their recollections of such a visit were lasting and in later years created a feeling of patriotism and loyalty. The adults had not so long to live as the children consequently the lesson did not last so long as with the youngsters. A number of the officers were told off to escort the 1 party over tho ship and also members of the crew to t-wc as guides for tho children. The arrangements made were excellent and everything possible was done to ensure the visitors’ pleasure and instruction. , . Captain Parker repeated that it was necessary for the Repulse to leave at 1,20 p.m. sharp, as she had a rendezvous 38 miles away at 3 o clock. The Repulse, he stated, was to have a look at Wairoa, and then _ join the remainder of the fleet, which must maintain its time-table, as it was to give a search-liglit display along the East Coast. Delay at Gisborne could not ne considered. JOLLY JACK TAR. Aboard the cruiser “Jack” laughing and happy, was actively engaged in the usual morning tasks generally of > “cleaning up.” The decks were spot-

less and the guns and fittings a mass of shining steel and brass, as it is always with the Navy. ■ The first contingent of. children boarded the vessel shortly before 9 o’clock and an hour or so later there were fully 2000 roaming over the cruiser. The children and adults were divided into small parties in charge of petty officers and men who conducted the visitors to all parts of the ship. The workings of the guns, from the monster “15 inches” to the quickfirers, the torpedoes and the operations of the various units were explained to the youngsters with all the care they used explaining to the adults. • UNLUCKY VISITORS. When it was announced by tho ‘Commander of tho cruiser about 10.30 that no further children or adults would bo allowed aboard after 11 o’clock many expressions of were made by the Mayor, Mr O. G. Bloore and other members of the official party who pointed out that the country children could not arrive much before 11 a.m., and were looking forward to visiting the battleship. But Captain Parker was adamant. There were no lighters or other vessels to take off the children already aboard and the Tuatea and the lighters returned again filled with sightseers. The vessels could only cruise round the warship and return to poj o. At the groyne the children were embarked in an orderly way and as soon as they were transported to the cruiser, tho lighters on the first trips returned empty, and took out more children. Tho arrival of the children from the country who came by train and motor was too late to enable them to be taken aboard, so they cruised round the battleship. Tho members of the public who went out iu launches and other vessels early in the morning were more fortunate than those who followed late in the Tuatea and the Gosford whose passengers were not permitted to board and merely mado a circuit of tho warship and returned home. Those who had been “stung” for their “two bob” waxed very wrath and called the transport officials some “naughty names!”

AN EXPLANATION

MAYOR MAKES STATEMENT. DISAPPOINTMENT OF ADULTS AND CHILDREN. In an explanation of the curtailing of the time of the Repulse’s visit the Mayor (Mr G. Wildish) made the loilowing statement: — ‘ ‘Acting under our instructions from Mr Massey, we made our arrangements to take every child from Gisborne and the surrounding district out aboard the Repulse. We should have carried out the programnfe had tho time allotted been provided. As it turned out, the country children had no opportunity of going aboard the ship. The least that could possibly he done, under the circumstances,’ was to take them out around the warship, and this was done. Great disappointment was occasioned, to those who came into town specially, from as far back as Motuhora. I desire to thank tho members of the committee, who worked so splendidly, Everyone concerned, including botn ladies and gentlemen, are deserving of thanks for their co-operation. I wish to mention specially that no blame for the curtailing of the visit was attachable to Captain Parker, of tire H.M.S. Repulse, who received his orders to sail at 1.20, in order to pick up the rest of the squadron. I desire to express my appreciation of the valuable assistance of Captain Parker and the officers and men of the Repulse, who did everything to make the visit an enjoyable one. Owing to the fact that over 3000 people were on the Repulse, it was found necessary to stop further numbers boarding the vessel after 11 o’clock. In consequence of this order, a large number of adults who journeyed out into the Bay on the Gosford and the Tuatea were greatly disappointed, having to content themselves with such views of tho ship as could he obtained by steaming slowly round her.

Some of the country school children who arrived late in the morning also suffered in this respect, it being found impracticable to allow them all on board. Many of the younger folk were keenly disappointed that their anticipations should be so near realisation and then frustrated. It appears, however, that had all those desiring to go over the ship been allowed to, do so, it would have been impossible for the Repulse to carry out the arrangements with the remainder of the squadron. In tho circumstances the commander had no other course open to him. Even as it was it was impossible for the ship to leave at the time arranged, the disembarkation not being completed until nearly 2 o’clock, the ship sailing at 1.55 p.m.

Hundreds of adults and children had been conveyed out to the warship,, but no method was adopted of transporting them hack to port. A considerable time elapsed before there were any lighters and other vessels sent out to remove the visitors. One lighter returned to port full up, and the next vessel to go out was the Matata which arrived alongside the warship about 12.30 p.m. There was an immediate rush for accommodation and the vessel filled rapidly with many business people who had to return by 1 p.m. They were like “sardines in a box.” Then the John Townley hove alongside . and many transferred, but owing to the' tidal conditions she was compelled to tie up at the western end of the groyne and the passengers had “to get out and walk.” Many of the children who had been out on the warship all morning looked very tired and hungry. Someone had blundered, but they seemed happy on it. By train and'motor lorries large numbers of country children arrived in town to visit-the battlecruiser. The congestion was so great that it was difficult to find means of transport and even then they could merely circle round the warship, as they were not permitted aboard after 11 a.m. 1 LUNCHEON FOR THE CHILDREN.

HAPPY TIME ON WAIKANAE BEACH.

An essential feature in connection , with the visit of the school children, the commissariat arrangements, was run without a hitch, under the supervision of Mr IT. F.' Forster, chairman of the Waikanae Beach Society. At the preliminary meeting the committee authorised the payment for the purchase, of food for the children, and Mr Forster offered the society’s assistance and the loan cf the necessary articles. Other organisations offered their support, notably the Women's National Reserve, the Victoria League and the Navy League. At an early hour yesterday morning willing helpers from the bodies named assembled at the Waikanae' Beach tea rooms, and arrangements were soon in hand to compete with the anticipated crush. Shortly after 11 o’clock the children commenced to arrive., Classes of hoys and girls, all hungry/ were seated round the edge of the paddling pool and the committee provided the children with cups and a large urn of hot the assistants handed out innumerable plates of cakes and sandwiches, which incidentally disappeared like magic. More platefuls were produced from an apparently inexhaustible larder. Then further children came from the groyne and the process was repeated till past 2 o’clock. It is estimated that _ about 700 school children were furnished with refreshments during the day. Yesterday, the Mayor received a telegram from Mr J. Hislop, Undersecretary of Internal A.ffairs, stating

that the Government had authorised the payment of sixpence per head for light lunch to he supplied to country school children visiting Gisborne to view the battlecruiser. The following ladies gave valuable assistance: Mesdames W. E. Gone, W. G. Sherratt, H. E. Hill, Green, J Stevenson, Buckland, J. Webb, E*. G. Matthews, Church (sen.), and Misses Rees and V. Green. DISAPPOINTED CHILDREN. TRANSPORT BUNGLE. Of the transport arrangements, so far as the adult public and the country school children wore concerned, the least said the better. The fact remains that hundreds of joyous school children who came down the line from as far as Motu and Motuhora, and by the Cook country lorries from tho districts on the flats, never went aboard the vessel, much to their sorrow. “The early bird catches the worm,” states the old proverb, and the early visitor to the Repulse got on the vessel soon after her arrival and remained there until within 30 or 40 minutes of her departure. To make tho position worse, many of the children on board having seen enough in an hour or so, wished to get back, but could not do so, while those on the lighters cruising round the vessel ' wished to got on hoard. Surely, it struck the layman, it would ho an easy matter to land the newcomers one side of the ship and then take empty lighters round to the other side. Or, again, a spare lighter could have boon left hv the ship, and been filled by the time the next lighter came out, for each journey occupied practically an hour. The incoming lighter could have been left hv the cruiser while the launch took the filled lighter hack to the groyne. That these problems should have been thought out by Iboso responsible there is no doubt. ’ The Repulse arrived at S a.nt. sharp and the first children wont on board about 8.45. Before 11 o’clock ~tno snip was closed down as far ns the-public were concerned and thence onward the lighters and the other vessels cruised round the Repulse. The passengers on the Tun tea had an unenviable experience. They paid the two shilling fare, went out to the vessel, were informed they could not he taken on hoard, and enmo hack to the wharf. There was indignation which was not 1i id under the cloak of secrecy at -the arrangements, hut still nothing could he clone. The Gosford, which left as the Tuatea was returning, had a full, load or passengers—all at two shillings a head. The noble trawler proceeded, travelling a few hundred yards till near the mouth of the river, and then she stopped, stuck in the mud. After much hard work by strong men—with stronger language—it was found'hopeloss to endeavour to reach the Repulse, and the passengers were landed on the breakwater. Then ensued an exciting marathon, men, women and children, with the prize two shillings a head, for all were intent on getting their money returned, and -the majority did so.

On the Repulse many of the school children had seen enough and wished to come hack to shore Co the luncheon at the Wnikanne beach tea-rooms, hut it was not to ie. The children on the cruiser had a spectacular feast, while tho so on tho land had much more solid and more enjoyable fare in cakes and sandwiches. Perhaps that was as it should he. Still there are many sorrowing little hearts in the country over the hitter disappointment experienced yesterday. BIG GUNS. THE GUNNERY OFFICER, TALKS ABOUT THE BIG ’TINS. A quiet, unassuming follow the gunnery officer of the Repulse. Lie speaks calmly of the destruction dealing monsters under his care and pats the breech caressingly ns lie tells you that these enormous loin, guns would reduce Gisborne to ashes in five minutes. “Yes?” said the reporter in a querulous tone, which he took as moaning incredulity. He looked quite fierce for an instant then seeing the reporter was genuinely interested the gunner continued. There are three turrets, he said, each with two loin, guns, which exclusive of the breech fittings, weigh 1)7 tons. With the breech each gun is over 100 tons, fcfo pushed a lever over and there was a hiss of hydraulic pressure as the breech swung open, and on the pressure on another button the gun reared itself to a new elevation. ‘•Yes, it is nil worked by hydraulic pressure,” he said. Fuither hissing, noise from the depths of the slop and the shell case—an enormous thing—clanged into position. Each of tlfe shells weighs over a ton, and costs the taxpayers £220, when one of the To inchers” is fired. This quite cheerfully; it wasn’t his cash, so why worry? “We use a smaller gun at practice,” he said, “blit the “big ’uns have to be fired one every quarter to keep the chamber and lining 1 of the gun in order and then wo use seven or oight shells.” Tho armour plating? asked the reporter. , Oh. the belting in front of the turret is 0 inches thick, on the roof about 6 inches and in the rear 11 inches. Each of the guns can he operated separately, each' loading and firing two high explosive projectiles over a ton weight, at the rate of two a minute. If the turret is splintered and there are casualties, one man can operate both guns from a central control, loading and firing them in If minutes. “You see the clock tower? Yell we could lav 21 miles off and blow it and the‘Post Office to smithereens with one shell,” and he gazed at his 58ft. monsters.

“Strawth !” muttered the reporter, beneath his breath. “Yes, all the guns could be trained on your town, and with one broadside every gun being fired simultaneously, could reduce your town to dust. Well, young fellow, I think I’ve said enough. Cheerio!*' SEARCHLIGHTS ON EAST COAST. brilliant" DISPLAY. Yesterday evening, true to pro mise, the Special Service Squadron gave a display of searchlights on the East Coast. At 6 o’clock sharp the giant vessels hove in sight off Tokomaru Bay. The Squadron slowed down until there was just sufficient way on to steer tho ships; in fact, it appeared to onlookers as if tho men-of-war had stopped. The outline of the ships was made visible hv tho ordinary lights. Nothing else could he seen. Then, in a flash, the heavens wore lit by piercing beams of light, which shot across sky, sea and land, bathing all iri their bright glow. Every detail of tho landscape was clearly shown. The ships were on tho course taken by the Arahura some threo or four miles off. So powerful was the light that even from this distance it was possiblo to read small print. All the buildings stood out in clear outline as the light swept ov.er them. All the hills were clearly visible wherever the light touched them, and the whole of the foreshore was visible from Koutunui Point to Mawhai Point. Four ships, led by the Hood, each vying with one another in the brilliance of their light, took part in the display, which lasted a quarter of an hour. All along the shore people were waiting for the ships, and when the searchlights came into play there were laud cheers. Reports from inland

townships show that the light was seen for many miles. Everywhere great excitement prevailed and haruiy a soul remained indoors. Tokomaru Bay residents were almost as gratified over the display as if the leviathans had paid a visit to the port, and the marvellous exhibition will long be remembered in Coast annals. From Toko man! Bay the ships went on to Waipiro Bay, where the night was again turned into day; The reflection of the lights at Waipiro Bay lit up tho clouds’’ at Tokomaru Bay like some new aurora, though noth ing of the actual beams could be seen. The hills between Tokomaru ana Waipiro are' some hundreds of feet high, and the straight line distance is some seven or eight miles.* Some idea of tho marvellous effects may be obtained when it is remembered that the beams from H.M.S. Chatham could be seen for some miles. These four modern ships together gave an incomparable display. Later the residents of Hicks Bay were treated to a similar exhibition.—Special. DUNEDIN AND DAUNTLESS SAIL FOR NORTH. DUNEDIN, May 9, H.M.S. Dunedin sailed at 6.30 this morning. The plan to join the Dauntless off Otago Heads has been abandoned. Each cruiser is proceeding independently, joining outsido Auckland Heads. —P.A. SQUADRON AT NAPIER, IN HARBOR FOR ONE HOUR. NAPIER. May 9. The squadron, excluding the Repulse, arrived at 9 a.m. and departed at 10- a.m. The town was full of visitors, and the roads leading to the breakwater j were blocked by traffic for over a mile, traffic being impossible for two hours. About 5000 children were hakiAn round the warships, which anchored a mile out from the shore, enabling fairly close inspection by 40,000 people.—P.A.