H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 13, 21 May 1913, Page 5

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

THK DUNEDIN CHILDREN. [Per Press Association.] Christchurch, May 20. The twelve hundred children from the South are having the time of their lives to-day. The weather is fine and warm. The children visited Lyttelton this morning and were shown over the Xew Zealand by a special detachment of the crew. They were given refreshments and returned to Christchurch and were taken in hand by the Tramway Board which gave them an/outing to Xew Brighton. This evening the Xew Zealand was to he closed to visitors, but Captain Halsey will receive an Oamaru contingent.

SOUTH CANTERBURY CONTINGENT. , Timaru, May 20. A ■ large crowd of children from South Canterbury schools, requiring three trains, visited the battleship today. They were favoured with fine weather, but arrived home tired but cheerful. LETTER FROM CAPTAIN HALSEY. TO THE CHILDREN. A letter from Captain Halsey to the children of New Zealand is reproduced in facsimile in the May number of the 'School Journal. The letter is as follows : “H.M.S. New Zealand. “To the Children of the Dominion of New Zealand. “U is with great pleasure that the officers ami men of this ship have been able to already receive so manv of you on hoard the great battle-crui-ser, which hears the name of your own Dominion, ‘New. Zealand,’ and it is tl.-’ earnest wish of all of us that the visit of you who have yet to visit the ship will show you what a vitally important duty you all have before you in life to uphold the great traditions of the glorious Empire to which we all belong. “Whether wo are living in the Mother Country or in any dominion or colony, we all belong to that Empire, and it is the duty of every one of us to be ready to defend that Empire. “Your fathers and mothers have given that great ‘battle-cruiser’ to the Empire in order to make that Empire strong and united, and, therefore, safe. “You children, as you grow up, must always bear in mind that you have to, also.- in some way or another, do your duty to your Empire by your actions; and to do this very little is required of you. It is only this:—

“First.—Always remember that youi first duty to your King and Country is allegiance and loyalty.. “Second.—Refrain from doing any act which you know is not straight and right.

“Third.—By every act of your life, endeavour to uphold that great heritage which your ancestors fought for, died for, hut won— namely, Honour.

“In conclusion, I should like to sa - , to you that every one of you who does not lead a straight, clean life, and who does not do his or her duty in life to the utmost possible, is. helping to endanger our grand Empire and i,o tarnish its honour. “LIONEL HALSEY, “Captain Royal Navy. “Wellington, April 20th, 1913.” THE VISIT TO NEW PLYMOUTH. A meeting of tho executive appointed to make arrangements in connection with the visit of the H.M.S. New Zealand to New Plymouth on dune 17 met last evening, states the News. Tho Mayor reported that he had seen the local agent for the Northern Steamship Company and ascertained that the Rarawa would he available on the day on which the warship arrived, and ho understood that the Union Company’s Tavinni would also he here then. Between these two boats they could deal with about 1600 or 1700 people per trip without the service of the Tutanekai, which in all probability would also ho here. The Mayor. Messrs Johns and List were appointed 4. sub-committee to interview the agents of the shipping companies, as wdl as the railway authorities, and report to next meeting. Tho East End and West End Seaside Committees are to ho asked to undertake the providing of hot water, milk, tea, etc., and generally attend to the requirements of the “inner man.”

The matter of the safety of the roadstead for the warship to lie in, mentioned by Captain Halsey in a recent wire, was discussed at length, the feeling being general that ho was labouring under a serious misapprehension regarding the position of the port, but no action was taken, it being understood that the . Harbour Board would probably be taking stepr to disabuse the mind of the Captair of the doubts bo bad expressed.

The Mayor said it bad been suggested that the district should combine and purchase a Maori curio as a. present to the officers and crew of the warship, but so many presents of a like nature had already been giver them that be thought they might wit! advantage vary tin' form of the present and make it more practicable and in keeping with the district. r lo that end, be suggested they should approach the dairy companies and ask them to give a few boxes of butter and crates of cheese, to be banded to the warship. The suggestion was approved, and Mr Trimble and Mr A. Morton are In be asked to approach the companies on tbo matter. The action of the Railway Department in making arrangements for the

people of South Taranaki to visit Wanganui instead of New Plymouth was roundly condemned by the meeting. It was stated that the Department should provide the facilities for the public%to visit New Plymouth if they desired, it being pointed out that even if all could not go aboard the vessel in New Plymouth they would, at least, he able to have a much better view of the vessel at New Plynninth than off Wanganui. It was felt that the whole movement to divert the people southward was engineered by the town of Wanganui, and it was deeded to join with the Member for the district in protesting to the Minister for Railways against the action of the traffic manager at Wanganui and to request that the special trains nm from Hawera as originally plan-

TJi r , question of accommodating visiting school children who would be

unable to return home on the same day ('.icited a good deal of discussion Members thought that the town should take in hand the accommodation of the children and give them the best l i.ne possible. It was mentioned that King George’s Hall, the Drillshed, the Jockey Chib’s buildings. Messrs. Nolan and Co.’s store and other places had been offered for the purpose cf providing sleeping accomrnodatio" for the children, whilst many private people had expressed their willingness to billet a number of children. The Recreation Grounds Sum's Committee were desirous of entertaining the children in the sports ground. Mr Trimble undertook tr ascertain by telegram from the school® off the railway line tho number likeIv to make the trip. Messrs. List and Weston were deputed to attend to thr children’s housing arrangements.