VISIT TO DUNEDIN.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13738, 2 June 1913, Page 4

VISIT TO DUNEDIN.

INSPECTION FROM STEAMKHS BY

LARGE CROWDS

THE CIVIC WELCOME

[United Press Association.]

Duneciin, May 31

Tho battleship New Zealand, sitter spending a night at sea, came in irom tho east this morning soon alter daylight, and anchored a mile and a haii from Taiaroa Heads

At ten o'clock an official party, comprising tho Mayor of Dunedin,. the president'of the NoA-y League, the president of tho Overseas Club, and the chairman of tho Otago Harbour Board,! went on board and welcomed Captain Halsoy to Otago. Arrangements were made for a contingent of marines to come ashore on Monday to tako part in tho military display in the forenoon. A large number of school children, many of whom were from Central Otago, made a trip outsido the heads in steamers during the day, but none of them were taken on board. At 3 p.m. Captain Halsoy and several officers came ashore. They were welcomed at Port Chalmers, where n\ party of Maoris aiso met thorn and gave them a cordial greeting, besides presenting Captain Halsey with an -.iddress of welcome. '. Tho visit of tho school children to tho warship was carried out most successfully. Four thousand five hundred youngsters were taken by train to Port Chalmers, and thence to the spot where the ship was anchored outside the heads. Tho sea was beautifully calm, but it was thought inadvisable by the captains of the excursion steamers, with whom the decision in the mattorj was left, to attempt to board the ship j of war. The steamers therefore circled round H.M.S. New Zealand, tho.oxen r-j sionists having an excellent view of the j exterior of the vessel, arid then re-j turned to port, AU day long therd was

a continual stream of youngsters on. them to and from tho war vessel, and the greatest interest was manifested by everyone taking part in the excursionsin the incidents of the day The arrangements were well conceived and excollently carried out. No accident occurred, and there was an almost total absence- of" sea sickness among the passengers. Tho trip was confined to pupils above the second standard. The comforts of the children were well looked' after, a large number of citizens coming forward most genorously with donations of such things as find special favour with the young. The youngsters wore all in high spirits, and seomod to think that their special function for tho day was to lustily cheer everything, and when the warship was sighted their cheors, intermixed with tho singing of "Rule Britannia," was redoubled. Some sense of chilliness was experienced on board the last boats to visit tho ships, but the children were too busy skipping about the steamer to notice. Tho exhibition of animal spirits, thorough enjoyment and enthusiasm throughout tho day were tho dominant notes of the. part thechildren, played in tho first appearance of the warship in these waters.

Captain Halscy, and the officers, were accorded a civic reception in tho Early Settlers' Hall at 4.30 p.m., thebuilding being crowded to the doors. The Mayor (Mi- W. Downio Stewart) who presided, extended a cordial welcome to Captain Halsey and his officers. Captain Halsey, in replying, expressed regret at the climatic conditions, which prevailed off Timaru and Oamaru, and which prevented him from anchoring at tho.'-o places. He had intended un\filing a mommiont at Oamuru in honour of Captain Scott, but ho Ava.s 'prevented. He hoped, however, to unveil it on the morrow if ; arrangements could bo made. \ Captain Halsey was cheered at the. ; finish, and the crowd rose and sang the ! National Anthem.