THE JAPANESE WARSHIPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11986, 7 June 1902, Page 5

THE JAPANESE WARSHIPS.

! The Japanese warships Hiyei and Kon-go I were thrown open for public inspection . yesterday afternoon, and a large number | of visitors went off in the ferry steamers • during the hours that the warships were . open to visitors. The officers and crew | were most courteous in showing visitors over the ships, and explaining . the work- . ing of the guns, etc. Both ships will be : thrown open again to-day and to-morrow, between the hours of one p.m. and five p.m., and steamers will leave the Ferry j Tee at frequent intervals during that time. About 40 of the officers of the two ships, ! at the invitation of MXi Gunson, chairI man of the Auckland Harbour Board, paid J a visit of inspection to Calliope Dock yesterday morning. Mr. Gunson, who was j accompanied by Mr. Laird (acting-secre- ! tary) and Captain Duder (harbourmaster) took the visitors over to <-"e dock in the Harbour Board launch Kuaka, landing at the Dock Wharf. 'I he whole of the fine machinery in the workshops, and the elec- | tric light plant was set working, and ! was critically examined by the visitors, ! who took a very keen interest in what was ! being.shown and explained to them. A ' the conclusion of the visit they expressed i themselves as surprised and delighted with the dock and its equipment, and also thanked Mr. Gunson for his courtesy and attention on the occasion. General Babihgton; Commandant of the New Zealand Forces, accompanied by Cap- ; tain Campbell (staff officer), and Lieu- } tenant-Colonel Reid (officer commanding i the district); paid an official visit to the, Hiyei and Kon-go yesterday afternoon, and were received and entertained with the usual courtesies. A number of the officers of the warships ! were taken for a drive round the city and | suburbs yesterday afternoon by Mr. H. W. | Wilson (town clerk), and Mr. James | Stichbtiry, one of the councillors. This • morning a number of officers from both ships proceed by train to Rotorua, oh a i short visit to the Hot Lakes district. A large number of the crews of both ' ships were on shore on liberty leave yesI terday, and visited the Museum, Art GalI lery, and Free Library, and other places of interest, whilst not a few made the rounds of the shops, making many purchases. The men as a whole are very ! courteous, and fire keen seekers of information on all subjects relating to Auck- ! land. The Maori curios at the Museum | proved a source of much interest to the j men. At the Art Gallery the v visitors book has been adorned with a number of ! names, which will puzzle our citizens. j One of the men put a few hieroglyphics, ! followed by the words " Japan Navy" in ; beautiful old English text. • Altogether ; the " Japs" are having a good time during I their stay in Auckland, and generally the 1 citizens have extended every courtesy to , them, and as far as possible given them j the information which they are seeking.