H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10768, 14 May 1913, Page 5

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

CHILDREN'S DAY

ENTHUSIASTIC SIGHTSEERS

A WELL-PLANNED INVASION

From shortly after nine o'clock this morning excursion trains arrived at Lyttelton with largo numbers of school children, eager to inspect the new warship. The first consignment of youngsters numbered about 1000, being pupils from the Waltham and East Christchurch Schools, and they arrived at the Port shortly after nine o'clock. Complete arrangements had been made for their safe conduct to and from the wharf, which was divided by a barrier, so that those going to the vessel went up one .side of the wharf to the end gangway and those- leaving tho vessel went down a near gangway and along the other side. The arrangements were, in the hands of Mr J. Hislop, Uuder-Secretary for Internal Affairs, and Mr T. U. Just, headmaster or the Lyttelton District High School, made ' a most efficient marshal. By half-past nine the. first contingent was on board. It was divided up i/ito groups of about thirty, each group being in charge of a teacher or school committeeman, and taken round the ship by an officer or a member of the crew, who explained the mechanism and equipment that proved so great an attraction to the average landsman. The children all appeared to be keenly interested in everything they saw and were eager for particulars and explanations. At ten o'clock a further consignment of over 1300 children arrived from the Aldington, Snmerfield, West Christchurch and Richmond Schools, and at half-past ten about 1300 more arrived, including several hundred from country schools. Those children proceeded to the social hall, where they were provided with light refreshments. During the morning between 3000 and 4000 children inspeoted the warship. There was but little bunting displayed on the vessel, although there were streamers of flags along the wharf. A feature of the arrangements was that none but those in charge of the operations and tho children wore allowed on the wharf. THE SCENE TO-DAY. Yesterday morning thousands of people thronged the wharves at Lyttelton eager to obtain their first impression of H.M.S. New Zealand, but today the scene is changed. Everyone knows that the mighty battleship is alongside the wharf and that there are stiil many days for them to select from for their'tour of inspection, and consequently the hustle and bustle has dwindled away. But to-day H.M.S. New Zealand is given up to young New Zealunders of various ages, who, with their teachers, are taking an opportunity of inspecting tho many pieces of wonderful mechanism abovo and below the decks.

Outwardly the battleship is muoh the same as yesterday, but the fury of the seas in the north gave her great funnels a coating of spray, and this morning; Faith, Hop© and Charity were receiving attention from the Jack TarsAlongside tho great smoke stacks a man looked a. more speck, but this did not alarm Jack- Somo had paint brushes in their hands, others ehippers, and so the work proceeded as if nothing had happened. Over the port, side, well forward, there were a doeen or more men arrayed on a scaffold busily engaged chipping and cleaning the massive hull; and so Jack's duties confront him the same in port as at sea.

Every train to the port to-day has brought thousands of children, and in more ways than one the port's appearance is not unlike New Year's Day.

A GAME. At Lancaster Park this afternoon, in the presence of a goodly number of spectators, a Rugby team representing the Territorials, met a team from H.M.S. New Zealand. - The game was fast and open. The visitors were clever in loose forward rushes, but the local team was stronger behind the pack. At half-time the scores stood:—Canterbury, 12 points; H.M.S. New#'Zealand, 5 points. Jacobson (2\, Simmers ancf Blac&more scored tries for the home team. Brain scored a try, which Mullin converted, for tho warship, AT ASHBURTON. A CORDIAL RECEPTION. [Fhom Our Correspondent,] ASHBURTON, May 14. About 200 men from H.M.S. New Zealand arrived at Ashburton by special train at 10 A.m. to-day, under the command of Lieutenant North and with him Warrant-Officer Lewis. They wero formally welcomed at the railway station by the Mayor (Mr Henry Davis) and Mr C. J. Harper (chairman of tho County Council), together with other members of the Borough and County Councils and the Hampstead and Tinlvald Town Boards, ana a, great crowd of town and country residents. Flags were flying on all the business places, aud a streamer of flags flew across tho road near the post office. In addressing Lieutenant North and the bluejackets in front of the station, tho Mayor of Ashburton said that ho wished, as Mayor of the town, to give the men of the Now Zealand a sincere and hearty welcome. The people of Ashburton were gratified that such fine weather had marked their visit, for it would allow of the reception being tho success it was desired to bo. Arrangements had been made to provide sports for the men's entertainment, and the townspeople were jgoing to try to make the visit one that would be long remembered. Every man, woman and child were glad to see the bluejackets that guarded their homes and protected their shores. They belonged to a service that cherished the name of Nelson, and he trusted that if ever the time came they would put their eyes to the guns and keep up the name of Britishers. (Applause.) Once again he had pleasure in heartily welcoming them to Ashburton.

Mr C. J. Harper, chairman of the Ashburtmi County Council, said that on behalf of the county, which was one of the largest in New Zealand, he heartily welcomed the visitors. He was glad to vsee such a fine lot of men. He knew they would do their duty when the call came, just as the Now Zealand lads did when the call came from South Africa. He was glad to welcome them. (Applause.) Lieutenant North said that on behalf of the men of the New Zealand who had Wn able to come to Ashbnrton, he •hanked the Mavor and Mr Harper-for their kind words of welcome. ' They were pleased to have been able ro come. It was not often Ihev got a chance to go inland, and thev expressed many thanks to the people who had {riven them such a chance of seeing the inner ponion of the dominion. Thev had already seen a good deal of the fine harbour of Lyttelton. On behalf of the men that wore still at the port he wished to say how sorry they were that they could not join in the festivities here. (Applause.l On the Mayor's call the spectators gave hearty cheers for the visitors. Lieutenant North called: "Men of the New Zealand, three hearty cheers for the people of Ashbnrton." The ■ailor.s resnouded with three long-drawn British ''Hip. hip, hoorays!"

Light refreshments were then served out to the men at the railwav station, and all were given a free hand till 11.40, when they assembled at the Theatre Royal. Her* a most sumptuous end tnstenilly-laid-oufc luncheon was provided for between 400 and 500 people, including, of course, all the bluejackets. The luncheon was under the snoeriut'-urlr'iicf of member- of the Wc.men's .•md ih-.v d..... r v,. Ltreat '-ivdi! '.'(.!■ ibe -;i\ llll'V j|;;.-| }<;-.:] |l|;- ■ 11 f . - r I' 1T" l-f 'ItC a.. |; i c o..c'iut'.d th<: wav the table.-;

were laid, and the attention they gave to all.

The weather wbh beautifully fine, and everything possible was done to entertain the bluejackets both by the Mayor and county chairmen, members of the local bodies, and the townspeople generally. The luncheon, which was <s#eidedly the most successful function of its kind ever held in the history of Ashburton, and at which close on 600 sat down, was concluded by a short toast list ; including, of course, '''The King," proposed by the Mayor and " The Navy," proposed by Air C. J. Harper, in the unavoidable absence of Mr John Grigg, the president of the Ashburton Branch of the Navy league, and responded to by Lieutenant North. Lieutenant North was greeted with cruite an ovation on rising to reply, and in replying he warmly thanked the people of Ashburton for their hospitality. Speaking of the battleship, be hoped all those who saw the ship would be pleased with what they had given. He hoped all who went to see the ship would see as much of that ship as possible. He specially thanked the Women's Christian Temperance Union for the handsome manner in which they had catered, and the way in which they had waited on them. He called for three cheers for the people of Ashburton and the caterers, and three cheers were £#ven in a true British manner.

"The Parliament of New Zealand" wa« proposed by Mr Hugo Friedlander, late chairman of the Lyttelton Harbour Board. The toast was responded to by Mr W. Nosworthy, M.P. for Ashburton. After the luncheon the bluejackets formed up outside the theatre, and, headed by a strong muster of the Mounted Rifleß and the Municipal and Temperance Bands, marched to the Domain, where ai attractive and enjoyable sports programme was gone through. The sailors will return to the theatre for afternoon tea _at four o'clock;, and will leave for Christchurch by a special train at 5 p.m. .The following are the results of sports : Bicycle Eace—First heat; LanceCorporal Milne 1, Artificer Stock 2. Six started. Second heat: Able Seaman Canning 1, Able Seaman Smith 2. Six started, Third heat: Able Seaman Barry I, Able Seaman Mudd 2. Five started. Fourth heat: Bombardier Phillips 1, Seaman Elder 2. Seven started. Final: Able Seaman Barry 1, Able Seaman Mtidd 2, Able Seaman Canning 8.

100 yds Flat—Able Seaman Thornton 1, Leading: Seaman Stanford 2, Able Seaman Barry 3. Eight started. A good, rase.

The Prime Minister hopes to attend the citizens' ball on Friday, the Hon vv. Herries, Minister of Railways, is also expected to \>s present; the Hon R. HRhodes, Postmaster-General, has signified his intention of attending the function. The Prime Minister (the Hon W. F, Massey) and the Hon R. Heaton Rhodes, Postmaster-General, will attend the outing at to the men of ELM.S. New Zealand on Friday, and also the sports to be held at Rangiora the same day. The Christchurch Catholic Club will entertain those of their denomination on the "warship at the club's rooms on Monday evening: ;The function will be presided over by Sir George Clifford.