THE BATTLESHIP.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 13092, 4 June 1913, Page 7

THE BATTLESHIP.

HOSE TO> KEEP CROWD BACK

TRIBUTE TO SIR. JOSEPH WARD

(Per Press Association.)

INVERCARGILL, last night. [ The battleship New Zealand dropped anchor outside Bluff harbor shortly after 10 o'clock. The first visitors were those of the official party, and welcoming speeches were made by the Mayor of Bluff (Mr Hinchey), the Mayor of Invercargill (Mr McFarlane), the President of the Navy League (Mr P. E. Watson), Mr J. A. Hanan, M.P., and the President of the Overseas Club (Mr Mehaffey). Captain Ha-lsey, m reply, said that the children of the Dominion were receiving an. object lesson which would do good m the cause of the Empire. The officers and men had been treated with the heartiest hospitality, and he was very glad the battleship was to visit Russell, because it was there that the Maoris had signed the Treaty of Waitan,gi. He was very proud to have anchored off Sir Joseph Ward's constituency, because he recognised that the presentation of the battleship was his idea. It was not for the navy to enter into politics, but he thought they should give credit to the Government m power when the gift was made, and to the present Government for having done so much to ensure the success of the cruise.

About 12,000 people from all parts of Southland visited the Blufi to see the battleship. ' Arrangements had been made to enable the school children to he taken out on the tendering steamers, and this worked well for several hours. Early m the afternoon, however, the ci'owd at the wharf burst the barriers and rushed the wharf and steamers. This resulted m a considerable delay, and on the Tutanekai a hose was turned on the gangway to keep the invaders back. The weather throughout the day was showery, but, on the whole, the arrangements made for handling the crowu worked fairly well. The battleship sailed westward through the Straits m the evening, giving a brilliant searchlight' display, which was visible from Invercargill.