CRUISER’S VISIT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18258, 29 November 1933, Page 8

CRUISER’S VISIT

INSPECTION BY CHILDREN THREE TRIPS THIS MORNING COUNTRY SCHOOL PARTIES Evidence of the keen interest aroused by the visit of the cruiser Diomede to the Gisborne roadstead was not wanting this morning, when, despite the discouraging weather signs, large jiumbeiS of children in the town and suburban schools were prepared to visit the warship. The improvement in the weather during the morning was naturally hailed with delight by the prospective visitors to the ship, and three trips were made by the Harbor Board launch Takitimu before midday, carrying parties of school pupils under the charge of teachers. The children were welcomed aboard the cruiser with typical naval warmheartedness, and under the leadership of the petty officers, various groups wore taken on tours of the vessel, to see the quarters of the men, the details of armament, and the other points of special interest. The engine-room hatchways were among the main centres of interest, and the boys in particular must have carried away some wonderful impressions of the equipment of the cruiser. Many of the visitors followed an old custom of the port, carried over from years long prior to the war, and exchanged gifts with members of the crew, who should have good cause to remember the visit of their ship to Gisborne. IN SPECTION .A 11. KAN CEMENTS It is intended to continue tiie transportation of school-children to the cruiser by shore vessels as long as parties are available, and in this connection the teachers of country schools are advised to make arrangements with Mr. 0. Rigby, of Gisborne Central School, who has co-operated with Captain A. Carson, harbormaster, in organising the schedule of visits to the cruiser. Doubtless the children of country areas are as keen as those of the town and suburban schools to see the vessel, and it is the desire oi the officers of H.M.S. Diomede and ot the port officials that every encouragement should be given to this interest. Transhipment naturally will be dependent upon weather conditions remaining favorable, and the meteorological lorecasts will be studied witli more than the usual degree of attention, in consequence, in connection with the transhipment of school children to the cruiser, the Gisborne Lightering Company lias undertaken to co-operate with the Harbor Board officials, and at intervals between the working of the Home boat- now in the roadstead will place its tugs at. the convenience of school teachers, making as many trips as possible between the wharf and the cruiser, and transhipping sponsored parties of school pupils within the hours specially made available for them by the captain of tiie Diomede, viz., between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. No charge will he made for this service, tiie directors of the company appreciating the importance of catering for the interests of the younger generation in the current naval occasion. During the hours set aside for general public visiting aboard the cruiser—4.lii p.m. to 6.15 p.m,—the Lightering Company’s plant will undertake transhipment of adults at a small charge. The Home liner now in tiie roadstead will complete her loading to-morrow, and during the remaining period of the cruiser’s stay in the roadstead the Lightering Company will do its utmost to ensure, by co-opera-lion with the Harbor Board officials, that every adult or child interested in the Diomede will have an opportunity of hoarding the vessel. SPORTS FUNCTIONS

Participation by members of the Diomede’s crew in the various sports functions arranged in connection with the cruiser’s visit has been assured, and the Gisborne Publicity League announces in this issue the details of to-morrow’s programme, tiie main feature of which will be the river carnival in the afternoon, followed by the colored water and searchlight display at tiie Waikanae Beach in the evening. At the river carnival, several events will he contributed by tiie sailors, who will participate also in competitions open to mem bers of tiie general public. The cutter and whaler races will be of special interest, and on til© humorous side the greasy-boom and water ludo events will he tiie main features. Oarsmen of the local clubs will provide sprint races as a part of the celebration, which’ will be staged at the junction of tiie Wairrlata and Taruheru rivers. Tidal conditions will favor the function in the afternoon, the full tide being at 5 p.m. On Friday evening a concert is to be given at the Opera House under tiie patronage of tiie Mayor, Mr. John Jacksou, and tiie Gisborne Publicity League, the programme being mainly recruited from tiie talent among tile Diomede’s complement. (Leading Gisborne entertainers also will take part, and tiie concert should pack tlie theatre to capacity.

Throughout the week-end, other attractions will be offered for tiie joint amusement of tho public and tiie visitors from tiie man-o’-vvar, and tiie gala spirit evoked by tiie presence of the sailors should do much to pave the way to a brisk and merry Christmas season for Gisborne. A suggestion offered by a prominent townsman is that tiie colored lamps festooning tiie streets for the, occasion of tho Diomede’s visit should be left in situ throughout the Christmas season, and doubtless tiie Power Board will consider tiie proposal favorably. SWIMMING HANDICAPS Handicaps for swimming events included in tiie programme of to-morrow’s carnival have been announced as under* 50vds. Handicap.—T. Wituchop, .7. Crawford 3sec., R. Cederwail ssec., L. Sherriff, B. Foote 7see. Bridge-to-hridge Race, about 220yds.— J. Beckett Bsec., G. Henderson, L. Sherriff 18sec:., W. Varloy 21see, Post entries will lie received for the greasy-boom and diving competitions. Entries already in hand for tiie firstmentioned of these competitions are: Beckett, D. Miller, B, Irvine, R, Cederwail, and L. Sherriff.