THE SQUADRON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8928, 17 December 1887, Page 5

THE SQUADRON.

THE NELSON AND RAPID.

BOTH SHIPS EXPECTED - DAY.

REOEPTION OF THE ADMIRAL.

THE ARRANGEMENTS.

H.M.S. Nelson, the flagship of the Australian fleet, and carrying the pennant of RearAdmiral Fairfax, is due here to-day, having passed Russell at noon yesterday The Rapid, a vessel of about the same size as the Diamond, left the Bay of Islands at three o'olook yesterday-afternoon, and consequently is also due here early this morning. She will no doubt put in an appearance simultaneously with the Nelson. .

The Calliope was to leave Sydney for Auokland during the course of the present week, and her arrival in these waters may be looked for during the course of the coming week, while the Raven, now visiting Lyttelton, is also expected to return here at an early date. .

It is stated that H.M. s. Opal, whioh, at last accounts, was at Tonga, is to come to this port, arriving here before the end of the present month.

Yesterday a number of the men belonging to the Diamond were on shore, and they conducted themselves in a most orderly and quiet manner. 9

RECEPTION OF ADMIRAL FAIRFAX.

The arrangements for the reception of Admiral Fairfax to-day have been agreed upon by Major-General Whitmoro and the Mayor, and, subject to the pleasure of the Admiral, will be as follows: The Navals will assemble at the new ferry tee at half-past ten. The time of landing will be fixed to suit the convenience of the Admiral, probably about eleven o'clock. Major-General Whitmore, as a representative of the Governor, will probably receive the Admiral at the ship's side. Upan arriving at the wharf, he will be saluted by the Navals, who will be drawn up as a guard of honour. Major-General Whitmore will then introduce Admiral Fairfax to the Mayor, who will in tarn introduce him to tho chairman of the Harbour Board and other gentlemen who may be present. Upon the conclusion of these ceremonies, the Admiral and his party will be driven to Go* vernment House in carriages provided by the city authorities. There they will be received by Mrs. Fairfax. Under the direction of Major-General Whitmore, a salute of 13 guns will be fired from tho 64-pound guns at Mount Victoria as the Admiral leaves the Nelson.

We print on page six a portrait of Admiral Fairfax, 0.8, As this distinguished naval officer will arrive in Auckland to-day in his flagship, the Nelson, • few personal particulars may prove interesting to our readers aB giving an insight to the Admiral's previous oareer, and the characteristics of the gentleman we are to becomo acquainted with. As Captain Fairfax, he was for a long time private seoretary to the First Lord of the Admiralty, and afterwards assumed command of H.M. s. Volage in 1874; a vessel purposely fitted out to convey a select party of scientists to Kerguelen Islands, in order to observe the transit of Venn*, and safely piloted his ship amongst those dangerous reefs in the continuous violent storms that prevail in those seldomfrequented regions, returning to England witn his vessel at the conclusion of the observations. In 1878 he was appointed, at the solicitation of His Royal High* ness the Prince of Wales, to take command of H.M. s. Britannia, the training ship for naval cadets at Dartmouth, the two young sons of the Prince of Wales being specially entrusted to Captain Fairfax's supervision to be trained as naval cadets. Captain Fairfax was in charge of the Britannia for the whole of the time the Royal cadets were in that ship, the Prince and Princess of Wales occasionally remaining on board for a few days as guests of the Captain. On relinquishing his command of the training ship, he was awarded 'Jhe decoration of Companion of the Bath, and sub* sequently oommanded an ironclad at the bombardment of Alexandria, and lately he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Squadron. The Admiral is nearly six feet high, of burly build, with fresh complexion, fair beard and moustache cut close. He speaks with a marked Scottish accent and slightly hesitating, nervous delivery. Ha is rather reserved in manner, and, though not an eloquent publio speaker, is regarded as an able diplomatist. The Admiral is an ardent sportsman by "field and flood," and an adept with the fly-rod. He is married, but has no family. He possesses a considerable private fortune, in addition to his professional income.