H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15262, 28 March 1913, Page 8

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

A FORTNIGHT AT AUCKLAND.

ENTERTAINING THE CREW.

THE BIG SPORTS MEETING.

A telegraphic message was received yesterday by the Mayor (Mr. C. J. Parr) from His Excellency 'the Governor,* containing the information that H.M.S. New Zealand would arrive at Auckland on April 29, and leave the port on May 11. " Arrangements are going on satisfactorily with regard to the reception of the warship," said the Mayor when seen by a TTctat.ti representative yesterday. "The expenses," he went on, " of lunching 1000 men, providing sports, illuminations, tramway excursions, etc., will run into quite £IQOO. It is a fair thing that the suburban and other local > bodies near Auckland should bear a portion of the cost, so that it, should not fall entirely on the City Council, which represents only about 47,000 out -of 100,000 people living in the city. I have made an appeal to each of the local bodies concerned to assist us with contributions to the entertainment fund, and suggest that they might contribute on the same basis as some of them now contribute to the Drainage Board, but no doubt the City Council will be pleased to receive any suitable assistance that may be proffered by its sister local bodies." Now that the date of the battleship's arrival at Auckland has been definitely fixed, the official reception will take place, if possible, at noon on Tuesday, April 29. After the reception, Captain Halsey, the commander of the warship, and his officers will be entertained at luncheon by the members of the Northern Club. The executive committee,, which has control of the arrangements for the celebrations during the stay of the • battleship at Auckland, met . yesterday afternoon, when it was decided, subject to satisfactory arrangements being made with the Chapman-Alexander Mission promoters for the use of the Town Hall, to entertain squads of the New Zealand's men at luncheon on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, April 30, and May 1 and 2. A letter was received from the general manager of the Tramways Company (Mr. J. J. Walklate) offering to provide cars at £3 each to take the men round the district. . A sub-committee, consisting of Messrs. S. J. Nathan, W. J. Napier, and R. T. Michaels, was appointed to wait upon Mr. Walklate to suggest that better arrangements should be made. The executive considered that it would be far more satisfactory if the company issued tickets or passes to the men, rather than that they should have to make set trips through the district. A suggestion was made that Thursday, May 1, would be a suitable date for the citizens' ball to be given in honour of the battleship's arrival. This question, however, was left over for the decision of the ball committee, which will meet nextMonday. It has been decided , that the ball shall commence at 9 p.m. on the date fixed.

The executive is to meet the Amateur Athletic Club committee and yachting and motor-boat representatives on Tuesday to discuss the part that thesft" clubs will take in the approaching celebrations. It is likely that Saturday, May 3, will be fixed as the day for holding athletic sports in the Domain. The public will be charged a small fee for admission, and the whole of the proceeds will be spent in prizes. There will be. at least half a dozen events for the men on the battleship. .•*" Nothing. has so far been decided on with regard to the second week of the battleship's stay in port. , During that week the Government will probably take a large number of the men to Rotorua, • A large influx of people from the.couri-. itry districts is expected while H.M.S. New Zealand is at Auckland, and the battleship will probably be visited by thousands jof people. No doubt the Government will make arrangements by special train facilities and otherwise to give the country people an opportunity of inspecting the historic battleship. It is hoped that hundreds of children from the country, as well as thousands in the town, will have the chance of seeing H.M.S. New Zealand, as such an opportunity would be an admirable object lesson to them. *

WELCOMED BY WIRELESS. ,

MESSAGES FROM AUSTRALIA. By Telegraph.—Press Association.—

Melbotjene, March 27. Numerous messages have been exchanged between the cruiser New Zealand and the wireless station at Williamstown Naval Depot. Lord Denman (Governor-General) received a message yesterday, and replied welcoming the ship. The Prime Minister (Mr. Fisher) sent the following message to Captain Halsey: —" Welcome to Australia. We must live

together. I believe we should work together for peace and happiness, and to that end, if necessary, fight together." Captain Halsey replied "Many thanks for your cordial welcome."

NEW ZEALAND . ITINERARY. [BT TELEGRAPH. —rSESS ASSOCIATION.] Welunotok, Thursday. The Governor has approved of the proposal that H.M.S. New Zealand remain in Wellington from April 12 to 22, leaving that day for Auckland, visiting Napier and Gisborne en route, arriving in Auckland on April 29, and remaining till . May 12. These proposals require Commander Halsey's consent. ' The warship's further itinerary will be settled after her arrival.