VISIT OF H.M.S. PEGASUS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 14135, 15 February 1910, Page 7

VISIT OF H.M.S. PEGASUS.

CIVIC RECEPTION. As briefly stated ini yesterday’s Herald the officers of thofH.M.S. Pegasus came ashore during the afternoon and were accorded a citric reception on arrival in town. AT THE OIL WB'LLS. The commander and officers did not proceed direct to town, Vut called en route at the No. 2 bore of Hhe Taranaki Petroleum Company, where drilling operations were in progress. The visitors were keenly interested in all they saw, but the greatest attraction was the boiler house, where the* waste petroleum is being used instead of coal. Commander Home was particularly interested, ‘ and described it as “am exhibition of stoking made easy.” PUBLIC RECEPTION. On arrival in town tliO'jPbrrty at once proceeded to the Kia Oca tea rooms, where a public reception was held. A large number of the leading citizens of New Plymouth and theiif, wives accepted the invitation of hit Worship to afternoon tea, and a very enjoyable little gathering eventuated, Mrs. Kirkby catering in an exceedingly satisfactory manner.

At tho conclusion of afternoon tea, Mr. Tisch expressed the pleasure it afforded him in being able to welcome on behalf of the townspeople the commander, officers and caew of tho H.M.S. Pegasus to New Plymouth. During their short stay here everyone would endeavour to make the visit as enjoyable as possible. New" Plymouth, since the war time, had not. had many visits from war ships. Theiy had been like angels’ visits, few, and flar between. A war ship was very naturally a great attraction, and he hoped that in future New Plymouth would have more frequent visits —at least annually. There were several reasons for this). One was ; that recently a branch of, the Navy League had been formed in; New /Plymouth, and the presence of /a war ship occasionally would have tho effect of encouraging its members and also of bringing new members along* Another reason was that the country schools of Taranaki had made New Plymouth beach their picnic ground, and in the past ten days there had boon several thousands -of happv youngsters visiting the beach, and there were still more to come. Many of these children had seen the sea for the first time, and the presence of a war ship during their visit would make their trip’ far more interesting and enjoyable. Jt would not only add more interest to the picnic, so far as the children themselves were concerned, but also to the adults. Continuing, his "Worship referred to the fact that the rulers of this grsmd young country had shown their appreciation of the Navy by increasing its nyival subsidy from £40.000 to £IOO,OOO per annum. and to-day New Zcalamd was. building a Dreadnought at a,‘ cost of two million pounds if necessary. The Taranaki settlers had a particularly warm corner in their hearts for the Navy. Many years ago, in 15ie time of the troubles with the Many is. the Navy came to the assistance . of the Taranaki settlors. He referred to the historical battle of Waireka. wlaen men from the H.M.S. Niger, under Captain Cracroft, came along just in tibe nick of time and rescued the settlers out of a very tight corner indeed. In conclusion, his Worship spoke of the German menace and said that it was the proud boast of our German cousins that they gave an opportunity at least once a year to the million members Of their Navy League to visit one of the war ships. Mr. H. Okey, M.P., also made* a few remarks, and expressed the hoyie that the stay of the commander and his officers and men in the district would be enjoyable, and that they would Lave a real good time.

Commander Home, on rising to respond, was very heartily received. Ho thanked all most heartily for the very kind welcome that had been extended to them. The Mayor had pointed out that it was not often a war ship visited these parts, but he assured them it was not from lack of appreciation of the efforts of the citizens to encourage the Navy, or lack of warmth-in the welcome to the ships that had been here, but rather to the lack of facilities for anchorage which he was very glad to see were rapidly being overcome. One of the greatest inducements that could, bo givcnin getting the Admiralty to send war ships both regularly and frequently to the port would be the development of the oil wells, which he had been glad to see spouting so well that afternoon. For naval purposes oil was a most important factor, and if the Admiralty could only rely on a constant supply Mem within the ■ Empire at a reasonn* P r * ce / then it could do with anything up to one million tons a year. He was very glad to hear they had a flourishing branch of the Navv League here, and that so many of the' children on whom the future hope of the Empire rests were enthusiastic members of the organisation. He hoped that in tho future every man and 'woman out the Empire would be a loyal and! enthusiastic supporter of tho Navy,, upon which, in the language of the amble of the Naval Defence Act, “under! the good providence of God, the wealth,, strength, aud safety of the kingdom" depends.” Without command of thp* seas the wealth and safety of the Emi?ire would bo very much jeopardised n concluding his remarks, Commander'Homo said ho hoped to see a largo’ contingent of tho Navy League children!' on board the Pegasus to-day, and al-f though she was not a very large or modern war ship, there would no doubt be much to interest them. He hoped! to see a large number of the citizens, for he was sure that although they" may not have joined the League, they! were supporters of the Navy. The( Mayor had referred to the incident of< the Niger, when she came to the assistance of the early colonists. The; Navy had frequently rendered similar! services of the kind, and would always! be delighted to do, and even under l ' more strenuous conditions the Navy would do its best to help the outlying) portions of the Empire. He hoped, | should it ever be our misfortune to boj engaged in a naval war, to see New I Zealand Dreadnoughts and New Zea-, land men working side by side withthem in the defence of the Empire as a whole.

Subsequently the officers paid a visit! to St. Mary’s Church and inspected the hatchments there, and afterwards climbed Marsland Hill and inspected the monument erected to the memory of, tho veterans. The Recreation Sports Grounds and Pukekura Park were also visited, and in the evening they were the guests of the local branch of the Navy League at dinner at the White Hart Hotel and tho Taranaki Club. SMOKE CONCERT. Some sixty sailors from H.M.S. Pegasus and a large number of local volunteers'made a happy party in the

Drill Hall lost evening, when the man- ■ o’-warsmen were entertained at a smoko concert. During the evening a varied 'programme was gone through, composed of a number 9f items by the visitors, interspersed with contributions by New Plymouth singers. Messrs. J. Haslam, T. Woodard and Guy sang songs to the accompaniment of Mr. E. A. Golding. Billiards and other amusements provided at the hall were indulged in, in fact all entered into the proceedings in a manner characteristic of bluejackets, and so passed a very pleasant evening. ELECTRIC LIGHT SPORTS. The cricket match which was to have eventuated this afternoon has been abandoned, the Pegasus finding a difficulty in raising a team. The principal attraction provided for tho entertainment of the bluejackets to-day will be the electric light sports at the Recreation Grounds this evening, commencing at 8 o’clock. A procession will be formed at Egmont Street-prior to that hour, consisting of the men from the Pegasus, local volunteers, and fire brigade, and headed by the Taranaki Garrison Band, will march to the grounds. A largo attendance is. anticipated. Splendid entries.-hnve been received for the running and cycling events. Still further entries ‘ for the latter events will not be available until to-night and the Waitara contestants hot yet handicapped will be handicapped on arrival. Sixty men will be on leave from the war ship and a number of events will be put on the programme for them. RUNNING EVENTS. The following handicaps have been declared for,, the amateur running events to be decided to-night: 220 440 i . yds. yds. M. Ward scr. scr. L. B. Webster 5 • 12 A. V, Stohr 12 18 J. Stohr 14 20 lan Grant 16 22 W. A. Boucher ... 16 22 C. B. Webster 18 35 L. Hill 18 35 B. Clarke 18 35 N. M‘lsaac 22 40 C. Arnold 22 40 . S. Burgess 22 40 L. Tressider 24 40 W. C. Weston 24 40 C. H. Weston 24 40 A. H. Johnstone ... 26 45 The handicaps declared for the cycle races have already been published in the Herald. The officers will again be entertained at dinner by the local branch of tho Navy League. ■ Commander Home has informed the Mayor of his intention to have the vessel illuminated to-night. It has been decided not to play the Association football match between the Pegasus team and New Plymouth under electric light,'owing to the danger of accident. The match will commence at 5.30 o’clock- this evening., The following are the events <Bnd entries for tho sailors’ rapes at the sports meeting this evening:— 150-Yards.—First heat; 0. F. Edwards. J. Davidson, J. W. Calvert; second heab: J. Taylor, S. Sheet; third heat; J. Bing, H. Snook. 220 Yards.—J. Taylor, J. Ring, J. W. Clavert, C. F. Edwards, H. J. Snook, W. Borrows, J, Davidson, F. Skeet. Half Mile.—C. F. Edwards, W. Borrows, H. G. Snook. Ono Mile.—H. Morloy, H. G.' Snook, W. Borrows. For the obstacle race another race will be substituted. The entries are: F. J. Boswell, W. Spencer, A. E. Hickford, J. Taylor, J. Davidson, W. Bor-' rows v E. Whitmore, H. Morley, H. G Snook. RIFLE MATCH. ' The triangular match between tho team from the Pegasus and the Rifles and Guards resulted in a win for the Rifles. Tho match did not start until nearly four o’clock and was finished shortly after six; tho teams did not waste time and the marking was smart and accurate. Tho conditions were almost ideal, save . that at times tho wind was a bit tricky. The visitors were very pleased with the range and sav that it is the best range, best targets, and best marking they have struck since they left England. Tho following are tho scores: TARANAKI RIFLES. 200 500 600 Tl. Lieut. Marett 34 33 32 99 Lieut; Willis/. ...33 34 27 94 Pvt. Marett 34 31 27 92 Pvt. Okey 31 33 27 91 Corp. Armitage ...... 30 32 29 89 Pvt, Blanchott 31 25 .30 86 Sergt. Davis 29 28’ 29 86 Pvt. Read 30 29 26 85 * 252 245 227 724 TARANAKI GUARDS. 200 500 600 Tl. Pvt. Grover 34 33 33 108 Col.-Sergt. Hartnell... 31 32 31 94 Sergt. Oliver 32 31 31 94 Pvt. Nicholls 27 34 32 93 Pvt. Blanchard 30 28 28 86 Pvt. Hill 31 29 ,20 86 Pvt. Short 32 22 27 85 Corp. Bruce 21 14 30 65 238 223 238 699 H.M.S. PEGASUS. Instructor Baels 32 32 33 97 Pvt. Mason 28 32 29 89 A.B. Bawman 29 33. 27 89 Pvt. Noole 30 29 29 88 Pvt. Wilson 29 31 20 80 Lieut. Boughey 27 22 27 76 P.O. Youngs -29 24 23 76 P.O. Jeanes 30 27 18 75 234 230 206 670 T.J.C. RACES. The officers will he tho guests of the Taranaki Jockey Club to-morrow. THE VESSEL’S DEPARTURE. H.M.S. Pegasus weighs anchor at six o’clock to-morrow evening, when she sails for Auckland. She is due at Auckland on Saturday where she joins the flag ship of the station, H.M.S. Powerful, and tho_ Challenger. The Pegasus remains in Auckland until the 24th, when she leaves for Wellington. SEASIDE PICNIC. ■ A large seaside picnic is being held •at the breakwater this afternoon, milder the auspices of, the Seaside Improvement Committee. There is a 'large attendance, and all the arrangements are being carried out by the Seaside Committee. The function is passing off with remarkable smoothness. The Eltham, Waiongona, and Leppor--ton schools are also holding their annual 'picnics to-day, with the result jrthat crowd on tho beach has been augmented by about nine hundred excursionists, who arrived in town by a (special train at 9.40 this morning. {There was a continuous flow of local (people to tho breakwater from 11 o’clock morning, ’buses, brakes, |etc., being in demand.

Tho sea is inclined to bo a littlq choppy, but it is not interfering in any way with the passages to and from tho Pegasus. The Pitoitoi aud several launches are doing brisk. Another special train arriving shortly after 2.30 o’clock brought a further contingent of picnickers. Subsequently about 30 veterans and a large number of the Navy League children went out on the Pitoitoi to the war ship. At 3 o’clock the weather looked very threatening, anything but a fitting close of tho fastivitics. On the Pegasus the sailors were busy to-day getting the ship ready for tonight’s illuminations. Tho outline of the ship will lie lighted with numerous electric lamps, and in addition tho searchlight will be used. H.M.S. Pegasus is drawing 17ft. aft. She has a man almost always on duty at tho wireless station waiting for chance messages from other ships.