H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10756, 30 April 1913, Page 7

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

AUCKLAND'S WELCOME,

SPONTANEOUS ENTHUSIASM.

BRILLIANT HARBOUR SPECTACLE, ENORMOUS CROWDS. [From Our Correspondent.] AUCKLAND, April 29.

When Auckland does anything of a ceremonial nature, it must be admitted that it does it with a will. Over the arrival of one British Dreadnought, the city worked up quite as much enthusiasm as it did over the arrival of the whole American fleet on tho occasion of the momentous visit of 1008. A STRIKING PICTURE.

Superb weather prevailed for the reception of New Zealand s gift ship, which arrived in the Waitemata just before 2 p.m. to-day. Over a thousand small craft went out into Rangitoto Channel to meet her, and when the Dreadnought rounded North Head the harbour was a picture to look upon. Every yacht, launch and boat that Auokland could muster must have been out to join in one big welcome. Even the rowing clubs turned out in fours, pairs and singles, and managed to carry their share of bunting. THOUSANDS OF SIGHT-SEERS.

From the surrounding volcanic slopes thousands watched the triumphal entry of the New Zealand. The water front was simply packed with people, and Queen Street was practically impassable from the wharf to the Town Hall, where the reception took place, and trams and all forms of vehicular traffic ceased moving in the main thoroughfare for over an hour. As the offioers were driven to the hall through the crowded streets, they were cheered all along the route of procession, A GAY CITY. The Town Hall holds 3000 people, but it was not nearly big enough to accommodate the crowds which desired to participate in the reception. A halfholiday was generally observed. The city is gaily decorated for the occasion, the illuminations to the Town Hall and ferry buildings alone having run into an expenditure of nearly £IOOO. All the shops and business blocks are gay with bunting, and the oity generally bears a very festive appearance. A HISTORIC OCCASION. The speeches delivered at the reception bv the Mayor and the chairman of the Harbour Board were typical of the view Aucklanders take of events such as, this. "To-day," said the Mayor . (Mr C. J. Parr) in opening his address, "marks a great occasion, and a really historic event. My only regret is that our Town Hall, although it holds 3000 people, is iriuoh too small to contain all the citizens who would like to be here. This afternoon Auckland has shut up shop, and 100,000 people are oelebrating in happy mood the arrival of H.M.S. New Zealand with Captain Halsey and his gallant men. We rejoice to-day because we Bee in our port the great warship which is the symbol and embodiment of that spirit or love and loyalty which animated the dominion three years ago, when it tendered its gift to the Motherland. All honour to Sir Joseph Ward, whose brain conceived the idea. (Applause.) Equal honour to Mr Massey and his friends then in opposition, who backed the idea from the first, and whose public-spirit-ed support made the thing possible without party conflict. That great incident is creditable to all .parties, because it proves that in this country all parties will always sink party differences and combine to defend our common Empire wherever and whenever its, safety may be attacked." (Renewed applause.)

"THE GREAT NAVAL BASE."

Mr Gunson, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, said: "We welcome our visitors for three reasons—(l) because the ship is a worthy representative of that matchless British Navy which stands as a guarantee of peace amongst nations; (2) because this splendid battleship is a pledge and sign of New Zealand's loyalty and devotion to the Crown and to the Empire; (3) because British sailors worthy of their highest traditions have brought the ship to our waters. It is proper that the shouts of welcome should be particularly cordial and spontaneous 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 is to be established. We have now , the nucleus of a station, and we are prepared, under the direction of our own Government and tlie Imperial authorities and at any reasonable sacrifice, to make complete what has already been begun." ' A MAGNIFICENT WELCOME.

Captain Halsey, in reply, said: "I hardly know what to say to you, because it has never been my privilege to witness such a reception as you have given us this afternoon. You and your magnificent harbour have given a truly magnificent welcome today. We were met at Rangitoto by your outposts, so to speak—(laughter') —and, much as we would have liked to stop and delight in tlie spectacle that greeted us, we dared not disappoint the citizens of Auckland. (Applause.,) We little thought then, however, wVai a still more magnificent and splendid reception awaited us on rounding the Heads in your beautiful harbour?' Continuing, Captain Halsey said that the chairman had alluded to past naval visite to the port. He could only say that if the welcome accorded to those visitors was as hearty as this one it was something which he would have thought impossible. (Cheers.), Captain Halsey said lie realised that it was. perhaps, only right of them as Now Zealanders to give such n hearty reception, not to him and his_ officers, 'nut to the fine ship which Npw Zeal;,nd had presented to the Motherland. (Cheers.)

AKAROA COMMITTEE. A well-attenued meeting of the committee appointed to entertain the crew of H.M.S. New Zealand during their visit was held at Akaroa, the Mayor (Mr G. Armst ong) presiding. Tho honorary secretary reported that the subscriptions paid and promised totalled upwards of £IOO. Il was proposed to hold sports on the recreation ground in the morning and a luncheon to 250 men in the Oddfellows' Hall, and to ask the sailors to give a naval display in the afternoon and after tea to give a concert.

The ladies of Akaroa intended to make a presentation of an enlarged photograph of Akaroa to the ship. As it is expected that there will be a very large number of children from the surrounding bays to visit the ship it was decided to ask the Hon R. H. Rhodes to arrange, if possible, for the Tutanekai to come down to convey the children to tho ship. Tlie committee will entertain the visiting children.