LORD JELLICOE'S VISIT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17276, 27 September 1919, Page 10

LORD JELLICOE'S VISIT.

JOURNEY TO EOTORUA.

ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOMES.

INCIDENTS BY THE WAY.

CHILDREN GREET THEIR HERO [BY TELEGRAPH.SPECIAL REPORTER.] ROTORUA, Friday Admiral Jellicoe, accompanied by Viscountess Jellicoe. his staff, and officers of H.M.S. New Zealand, journeyed from Auckland to Rotorua to-day, and the reception he received at almost every stopping place showed how deeply he is esteemed by the people of the country. There is no question that the griicioue manner in which the admiral and his wife received the greetings of the people won for them a very warm corner in the hearts of those who congregated to greet them, farucul&rly is this so & regard to the children. School children at each place ossein in force, and the distinguished visitors appeared to win the youthlul Hearts immeuiateiy. Both ha\e tne smile which banishes snyness in children, and the response of the young people was remarkable. Everywhere they had something cheerful and humorous to say, and the tihouts, laughter, and cheers of the little people matte glad music to everyone on tne train, i* requentiy the children struggled to get nearest to the admiral, whoso smile was an all-powerful magnet. At Morrinsville, the only place where Lord Jellicoe was persuaded to address the crowd, a pretty tiny tot, dressed like a fairy, presented a beautiful bouquet of flowers to .Lady Jellicoe. She was very brave about it, but rather shy. But when the admiral stooped and kissed her she was at home immediately. At Rotorua the manner in which the visitors conquered the .hearts of the children wile most apparent. When they were being taken to their hotel in a motor-car drawn by soldiers, dozens of children crowded around the car, all striving to reach the side of the admiral, who " joilied " them most of the way. When the destination was reached four or five of his young admirers were sitting on the step, and others were holding the side rf the car. Chats With the Veterans. Like all distinguished sailors and soldiers, Lord Jel.icoe was a*ways anxious to meet veterans, sometimes inquiring if there were any in the crowd. At Mercer a naval veteran boarded the carriage, wearing a bag apron, and he spent some minutes talking to the admiral. When the train was moving out the old man led the cheering, and the last the passengers saw was a heavily-braided arm shake him warmly by the hand. At Ngaruawahia a veteran of over 80 years was brought forward, and the appreciative remarks of the great sailor should cheer him for many a day. At Huntly some miners, (Straight from the p.t, and come returned so.diers, received hearty hand-shakes. Animated Scene at Rotorua. By the time Rotorua was reached, about 5.20 p.m.. Lord and Lady Jellicoe had bad a'very busy day, but there still remained the great-eat ovation of the day. A large crowd was at the station, a troop of boy scouts forming a guard of honour. After" the usual inspection the visitors boarded a car, which was drawn by soldiers to the hotel, a brass band leading the way. A very large crowd accompanied the procession, and cheer after cheer was given. The admiral and his wife smiled all the way, the only member 1 of the party who appeared to be ill at ease being the aide, who probably could not forget for the moment, as did his chief, thoughts of the report, against the early completion of which the enthusiastic welcomes, no doubt, are militating.

Ceremony at Morrinsville. The only place where Lord JeHicoe addressed the crowd during his journey to., Rotorua was at Morrinsville, where the school children hid formed a square on the platform. Mr. F. Warner, a Royal Navy veteran, welcomed the admiral on behalf of the Navy League, and under the circumstances there was no escape from a reply. I "It is a great pleasure to be welcomed by an ex-service man," said the admiral. "Although I hate making speeches! more than anybody in the world, I feel I must comply with the request of an ex-service man to say a few words." He remarked that a branch of the Navy League was not often found in an inland town. They all knew, and particularly the soldiers present, that the Empire depended on the supreme navy for its existence. If it bad not been for the navy the great military effort could not have succeeded. It was the power of the navy which took the troops to the war, helped them there, and brought them home again. Right well had New Zealand done its partas well, if not better, than some other parts of the Empire. "We all hope there is not going to be another war, but? I believe that yon will agree that for the present,- at any rate, we should trust in our own strong right arm, which is the Royal Navy. This is what the Navy League Reaches. I wish the people of Morrinsville, and the kiddies in particular, the best of luck." RECEPTION ON WARSHIP. FUNCTION ON THURSDAY. Invitations have been issued to a reception or. H.M.S. New Zealand on Thursday afternoon by Admiral of the Fleet Viscount Jellicoe, the Viscountess Jellicoe and the officers of the snip. They will be " At Home" from 3.30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

INSPECTION OF BATTLE-CRUISER. SECONDARY SCHOOL GIRLS' VISIT. Yesterday was a memorable day for the girls of the Auckland secondary schools, to whom H.M.S. New Zealand was thrown open for inspection during the afternoon. The schools represented were the Epeom Grammar School, Technical School, Diocesan and St. Cuthbert's. The girls and their teachers went on board in parties of 250 each. Once on board, they made the most of their time, and thoroughly investigated every portion of the ship. The younger members of the crew were detailed to show the visitors around, and they took to the business of the afternoon with great goodwill and courtesy, esplaining in minutest detail the mechanism of the guns and intricacies of the inner workings of a battleship. During the afternoon about 1000 girls visited the battle-cruiser, which was thrown open for their inspection a little more freely than for the general public. The admiral's quarters were the central point of interest for most of the visitors, who were also greatly impressed with the evidences of the warship's North Sea engagements. A party of about 300 King's College bovs also visited the New Zealand early in the afternoon. Special pel-mission has been given for all secondary school bovs to visit the vessel on Mondav afternoon » The "enera public will have an opportunity of again visiting the New Zealand to-day and to-morrow, when she will be open for inspection from 1.30 p m to 5 p.m. '