THE CHILDREN'S VISIT TO THE WARSHIP.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13752, 18 June 1913, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE CHILDREN'S VISIT TO THE WARSHIP.

i The arrangements for tho children's visit to "the1 warship were complete, and reflected credit on those who had thorn in hand. Two thousand and eighty-three children- uero taken on the vessel, and 275 of tendoror ages were taken for a cruise round the warship. Inspectors Harkne&s and Crawford, and Messrs. Gibbe and Kmipp (tho head teachers) with their assistants were in charge'of the juveniles, and tho systematic manner in which the arrangements were carried out was an object lesson. Through the courtesy of Mr. Edwards, the railway manager, the children from tho country wore taken in the trains close to the Haven road school, whore a staff of day and Sunday school teachors was in attendance under the charge of Mr. T. Pottit. On their arrival the children were regaled with buns and hot tea. The children from Wakapuaka, came to town in a large express, Messrs. Corder and W. H. Alborough accompanying them. The 2,358 children were taken to the Port in four detachments. On the children approaching the warship they ea-ng "liulo Britannia," and on leaving the vessel they sang the National Anthem. The excellent bohaviour of the children was commented on by the onlookers. Before leaving for their homeward journey the country children were provided with tea and buns. Yesterday two thousand persons came into town by' the railway, and of these between 500 and 600 wero .school children. The train facilities gave every satisfaction and Mr. Edwards and his staff are to be congratulated on the success of .their labours. The Government steamer not being able to leave- Greymouth, entailed a lot more- work on ..those making tho arrangements for tho transit of the children to the warship. Eventually at 10 p.m. on Sunday satisfactory terms were made with the Anchor Shipping Company, ,and the owners of the s.s. Duchess, the Government authorising the committee to do the best they could under the circumstances, Mr. Hull acting in -the absence of Mr. Wilson. We have not heard of a single mishap, and tho children seemed well pleased with their visit to the warship. In the afternoon a matinee was arranged foT tho children at the Theatre, which was largely attended. The children greatly enjoyed the programme of excellent pictures.