THE SQUADRON.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 3438, 20 May 1898, Page 2

THE SQUADRON.

ARRIVAL OF THE FLAGSHIP. The flagship Royal Arthur, with RearAdmiral Pearson, Commander-iu-Ghief of the Australian squadron aboard, paid her fir#6 visit to this port yesterday morning, and was moored at the usual raan-o’-war anchorage. The arrival of the vessel was watched by an interested crowd, ani her substantial but at the same time shapely and spick-and-span appearance evoked comment on all sides, while comparisons between the vessel and her predecessor. H.M.S. Orlando, were freely made, greatly to the Royal Arthur’s advantage. A detailed description of the Royal Arthur has already appeared in these columns Rear-Admiral Pearson, the now Oommander-in-Chief, has had a felicitous career. B .rn in , 1843. he attained post rank in 1879 by promotion from the Royal yacht. He gained his flag in 1895, From 1892 to 1895 he was Aido-do-Camp to the Queen, and in 1895 and 1897 he was second in command of the reserve fleet in the annual naval manoeuvres. The principal officers of the new fiigship are. besides tba Admiral, secretary Charl'-a J. Ferguson ; assistant paymaster, 0. E. Batt; captain, C. G. Dickon; commander, R. P- Kitzarcrald ; lieutenants. A. C. Stewart, V. H. G. Bernard, S. S. Hall, J. D. Kelly, F. G C H France-Hayhurst, M. E. Lacey: fl?et surgeon,A. Patterson; fleet paymaster, W. C. Boxer; fleet engineer, G. F. Laird; engineer, Walter J. Westbrook. Admiral Pearson made his official lanamg shortly after noon in the presence of a largo assemblage of citizens, and to the acoomnaniment of a salute of 13 guns fired by the Permanent Artillery from the battery on the Thomson Esplanade. He was accompanied by Staff-Captain Dioken, Flag - Lieutenant Stuart, Mr Ferguson (private secretary), and. being received at the waterman’s steps by Captain Ward (the Governor’s A.D.C.), was dr.ven to Government House in Lori Ranfurly’s carnage, two mounted constables acting as outriders,. A r - Government House the City and Kelburne Rifles “were drawn up as a guard of honour, under Giptaln Davis and Lieutenants ■UoDonaM and Bacholz, the Garrison Band also being p*esent. Lord Ranfurly then received his ’guests, but t"0 visit being purely a formal ono. lasted only a quarter of an hoar. In the afternoon His returned the call, bis departure from the flagship being the signal for a return salute from that vessel’s gnus The Premier and Hon T. Thompson, Alinister of Defence, accompanied by Sir Arthur Douglas, R Undersecretary for Defence, paid a visit to Admiral Pearson shortly after his arrival, and Hie Excellency returned the call at Mr Seddon’e office in the Govcrnmmt Buildings during th" afternoon. The gunboat To ch arrived in the harbour during the morning and took 93 tons of coal on board. A thousand of coal were placed on board the flagship by the Westport Coal Comp my. The Mavor and Councillors n f <hocitvand the chairman and members of the Harbour Board will visit Adniral Pearson on board the Roval Arthur at 10 o’clock this morning. The Commandant of the Forces will also officially visit the flagshipAdmiral Pearson has accepted an invitation lo bo present at the native gathering at Panawai on Wbda a sda7 next. Their Excellencies Lord Ranfurly and Admiral Pearson and suites will ba entertained at dinner by the members of the Wellington Club on Monday.