THE NEW ZEALAND.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144083, 30 April 1913, Page 3

THE NEW ZEALAND.

ARRIVAL IN AUCKLAND. A HEARTY WELCOME. Pei Press Association. AUCKLAND, April 29. The New Zealand arrived-, at 1.46 p.m. to-day and met with -an enthusiastic reception. The weather was beautifully tine and the harbour presented a gay/spectacle. A large number of launches, yachts, and other small craft turned out to meet the battleship. The town was crowded with people and a general half-holiday was observed. When, the ship came to an anchor, it was boarded by a number of naval veterans, who were the first to be received on board. The captain and other officers landed and were tendered a reception at the wharf by the port authorities. Subsequently they drove to the Town Hall, where they were officially received by the Mayor and councillors. The Prime Minister (Mr. Massey) and the Hon. H. D. Bell were also present. The town was gaily decorated with flags and bunting and many public buildings and the harbour foreshore were briuiahtly illumamied to-night, the effect being beautiful. , Mr. Gkmson, chairman, of. the Harbour Board, in his speech at tbe-reeep-tion of Captain Halsey ar the-port .said it was proper that the shouts of welcome should be particularly oordiai and spontaneous from the port of Aitickland, for whatever the future may hold in store it is at this port that the great naval base for the Southern. BaobScds to be established. We have the '.nucleus of the station and are prepared under the direction of onr Government and the Imperial authorities at any reasonable sacrifice to complete- what we'have already begun. TO-DAY’S' PROGRAMME. AUCKLAND,, April 30The weather is- showery to-day, but is not seriously interfering with the battleship programme. A largo number of school children visited the vessel, and 250 bluejackets were entertained at luncheon by the citizens in the Town Hall, and were subsequently taken for a suburban tear on the trams. ' _____