VISIT OF THE SQUADRON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13207, 14 February 1905, Page 5

VISIT OF THE SQUADRON.

The members of the Otago Harbour Board and their friends paid a visit to the ships of the Australasian squadron at Port Chalmers yesterday, leaving tho Eattray street .wharf at 10 a.m. in tho ipaddlo steamer Koputai. Tho members of tho board present were tho Hon. H. Gourley and Messrs Mackcrras, Barclay, Ross, and the Hon. T. Fergus, and they wero joined at Port by Messrs D. A. be Maus, J. Watson, N. Dodds, and E. G. Allen, M.fl.R Captain Strang and Mr'T, W. Whifcson, of the Ii.S.S. Company, were also on board. After starting again -from Port Chalmers, a pleasant run down tho harbour brought the party to the flagship about 12.45, and the guests were transhipped in the flagship's boats. Tho visitors wore met and welcomed by Captain Napier, in the absence of his Excellenoy l the Admiral. The Hon. Mr Gourley expressed the gratification of tlio Harbour Board at the visit of the squadron, and trusted that it would not be long cre it paid another visit to Otago waters. Eo proposed tho health of Captain Nnpior. Captain Napier briofly responded, and then tho members of the party wcro kindly shown over tho vcssol. Particular interest was taken in the exposition of the working of the 9.4ineh 38-ton gun, which is stated to be one of tho largest in tho service About threequarters of an hour were spont very pioasantly on board, and then n. return was made to Port Chalmers. Tho outing was altogether most interesting and onjoyable to all who participated in it, : During; tho afternoon his Excellency the Admiral was entertained at a earden party in tho of Fernhill Club by tho members of the club, and there was a very large gathering of representative people.