THE WARSHIP VISIT.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 1892, 10 April 1913, Page 7

THE WARSHIP VISIT.

ARRANGING FOR THE PAL MERSTON CHILDREN.

A combined meeting of chairmen from Palmerston School Committees met yesterday morning to discuss the proposed trip to Wellingtn to visit the battleship New Zealand. Mr Nash (Mayor) said that about 70 children from Terrace End and 250 from Campbell Btreet were prepared to make the trip. As some of the members of committees could not manage to get away on Wednes day, he considered it might be advisable to alter the day to Thursday. He thought it was a good idea to have the excursion confined to children, teachers and members of committees only as the children would be under better supervision. He had mentioned to the Premier the advisability of the trains running to the wharf. Mr Massey thought tne matter could be arranged, but could not give a definite answer. Mr Clausen objected to the early hour of running the train. It did not effect Palmerston schools so much as the schools in the surrounding district. He had been informed that the hour was too early as it would necessitate getting some of the children up at 4 a.m. Under these circumstances it would be better to alter the time if possible to 8 o'clock. They also required some definite arrangements to be made at the other end.

Mr Hodder thought Wednesday would be the most suitable day, but if Thursday was selected he personally would fall into line. He would like to know what arrangements were made at the other end and a definite statement obtained regarding the cost.

Mr F. E. Watson said it was no use saying that they would go if no arrangements were made to receive them. He related how on a former occasion he had an anxious time with the children in Wellington, and he did not want a repetition of that sort of thing. Mr Hodder said he had written to Wellington for information, but had not yet received a reply. He considered this united meeting should submit a number of questions to Wellington. It was decided to wire to the Minister of Railways asking whether the day could be altered from Wednesay to Thursday, the train leaving at 8 o'clock instead of 6.25 a.m., and whether the train will convey the children to the wharf. In the event of the train not running to the wharf, what arrangements would be made to take the children to the wharf and from the wharf to the ship. Also, whether arrangements could be made to entertain the children to lunch at a cost of about 6d per head. The Mayor considered the children should be paid for by the school committees.

Mr Watson did not agree with Mr Nash as his experience had taught him that the children were generally well supplied with money to buy refreshments by their parents. It was a rranged to meet at 10.30 on Saturday morning to make tne final arrangements for the excursion. Mr Clausen considered that the children should be solely under the control of the teachers and not have aunts, uncles, etc., taking them away. Mr Watson agreed that this was a good suggestion, as it was impossible for teachers to control children when the parents were dropping along and taking them away. TO BERTH AT KING'S WHARF It has been arranged by the harbour authorities that the battle cruiser New Zealand, which arrives on Saturdny next, will berth at the King's wharf on Thursday, April 17, and probably remain there till the following Monday. It was originally anticipated that to berth the man-o'-war would be impracticable, because space would be required at the time for sixteen vessels working cargo. The difficulty has been overcome, however, and the King's wharf will provide a commodious berth, with sufficient depth of water. Some barricading for the safety of women and children will be necessary, as a Home steamer will probably be loading general cargo at the side of the wharf opposite to that where the warship will be berthed. This part of the wharf, which would be dangerouus to the public, will need to be kept clear. The berthing of the big battleship will permit visitors to make a close inspection of her guns, barbettes, and other interesting mechanism above deck.

Advice has been received by Mr J3. M. Wilson that the New Zealand will arrive in the harbour at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Towards Worser Bay she will be met by ferry and other steamers, and yachts, which will foim into lines to escort the visitor to her anchorage.