H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10755, 29 April 1913, Page 3

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

THE GISBORNE VISIT. [Per Press Association.] GISBORNE, April 29. H.M.S. Ne'w Zealand departed at 4 p.m. yesterday. Captain Halsey replied in very cordial terms to the Maori address of welcome, stating that the great treaty which joins flie Maori race to the British stands as a great asset to the Empire. The Maoris danced three hakas, the first one of defiance, tho second welcoming the Now Zealand to her own waters, and tho third a haka of victory. Two young Maori girls laid at Captain Halsey's feet beautiful kiwi and kereru mats, and an ancient mere, which had been through many battles. An adjournment was made to the captain's cabin, where a presentation of a Maori 'mat was made to Prince George of Battenberg. The Prince replied, stating that it would please his friends at Home that he had been thus honoured by the Natives of New Zealand. A presentation of an address later was made to Captain Halsey by the Overseas Club. Responding, the captain remarked that tho club was doing a great Imperial work and he always made it a point to keep in touch with the members wherever he was. ARRIVAL AT AUCKLAND. A BRILLIANT SCENE. SULKY WATERSIDERS. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, April 29. The battleship New Zealand arrived at 1.30 p.m., escorted by a great fleet of small craftf The weather was fine, and enormous crowds lined the wharves and other points of vantage around the harbour. The town and harbour fronts were picturesquely decorated. The Auckland watersiders took umbrage at what they considered the discourtesy of the Harbour Board in closing their rooms on the wharf without notifying the Union, and decided not to resume work until eight o'clock tomorrow morning. Mr Gunson, chairman of the Harbour Board, in a speech at the port reception to Captain Halsey said it was proper that shouts of welcome, particularly cordial and spontaneous, should come from the port of Auckland, for whatever the future may hold in store it is at this port that the great naval base of the Southern Pacific must be established. It had the nucleus of a station. Auckland was prepared, under the direction of the New Zealand Government and. the Imperial authorities, at any reasonable sacrifice to complete what had already been begun.