VISIT OF CRUISER

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18331, 24 February 1934, Page 16

VISIT OF CRUISER

DIOMEDE AT WAIKOKOPU WARM WELCOME GIVEN (Special to the Herald.) WAIROA, this day. Glorious weather conditions favored the residents of the Wairoa district thin morning, when a huge crowd gathered at the railway station for transport to Waikokopu, intent on welcoming the first vessel of His Majesty’s Navy to pay an official call at the port. HALS. Diomede anchored in the roadstead not far from tlie wharf at Waikokopu, and in accordance with previous arrangements, hundreds of visitors were received aboard the warship, the visitors including a large number of school children who were seeing a naval vessel for the first time.

The enthusiasm of the occasion was almost unparalleled in the history of the district, and it will live in the memory cf Wairoa adults and 'children alike as an outstanding event. The warmth of the district welcome to the officers and men of the Diomede was effectively voiced- by Mr. H. L. Harker, Mayor of Wairoa and chairman of the Wairoa Harbor Board, who intimated that district residents had long awaited such an opportunity for closer acquaintance with the ships and personnel of the silent service. It was a matter of general regret, Mr. llarker said, that the visit of the Diomede was not to be of greater duration, and that the vessel could not have berthed at the town wharves. However, all present deeply appreciated the willingness shown by Captain Cosmo Graham and his men of the Diomede in falling in with all the arrangements made by Wairoa authorities. The kindness shown towards the children of the district was a matter of particular gratitude among the adult population, he added. Captain Cosmo Graham, in the course of his response, emphasised the view held by all naval men that the children should be given special facilities, whenever possible, of extending their knowledge of tlie work of the navy. livery rating aboard the Diomede appreciated thoroughly the enthusiasm shown by Wairoa district people, and the many kind offers of hospitality on this and on future visits to their port. In response to a radiogram sent to H.M.S. Diomede on Friday inviting the captain and officers to attend a ball in Osier’s Hall to-night, the Mayor, Mr. H. L. Harker, has received a radiogram from Captain Graham stating that, weather permitting, they will be pleased to attend.