CHILDREN OF THE CHATHAMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18592, 28 June 1922, Page 7

CHILDREN OF THE CHATHAMS

WILD BIDE TO SEE THE WARSHIP, : (Fbom Otjk Own Correspondent.) . A; WELLINGTON, June 27.' One of the most interesting- incidents' in connection with the Governor-Genera!’a-recent visit to the Chathams was a wikL' rush made by the children to get on board-’’ H.M.S. Chatham. Lord Jelliooe addressed - the children as early as possible in the after-;--noon, and on concluding told them- they - could all go aboard, but that they would have to reach the landing stage two mileajaway as quickly as possible. The children; ', highly excited, mounted their horses, gave" a. shrill hearty cheer for their Excellencies, jt and then set off at a wild gallop along tbov beach for the wharf. It was a stirring. isight, youngsters on mounts of all. sizea and ages, going helter-skelter for the land-.-* ing stage. A river had to be crossed, the-; water in places reaching over .the knees-t-' of the horses. In the gallop three' chflt&en,-?;' were unseated, but the others dashed on. The three who were unseated, however, - soon set off running along the beach to the landing stage, wading the river as..they ' went. Their plight had been observed from; ' the warship lying in the roadstead. Commodore Hotham and his officers had been watching the stampede through their glasses. The disconsolate three were ultimately seen to reach the landing stage after - the**' launch had brought off the other children, "- so another boat was sent ashore for them;-*-' and Jack Tars took them aboard. For their gamenees they had the proud honour of -’ being shown over the warship as a separate"* party. -.'