H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10770, 16 May 1913, Page 3

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

MOTOR-CAR RUN.

A SPLENDID SEND-OFF

OVER ONE 11 END RED CARS PARTICIPATE.

The idea of entertaining a contingent from H.M.S. New Zealand by means of a motor-car run was a happy one. Energetic motorists speedily took up tho idea, called upon owners of motor-cars to lend them ior the purpose, and, in addition, found that tho.y could give the good people of Kaiapoi and Rangiora the pleasure of entertaining tho largo party during the day. Every detail in connection with tho run had been provided for by a committee consisting of Messrs F. Cowlishaw (convener), T. Maude, A. Ciarkson, T. S. Barrett and G. \) . Huhne, tho last-named gentleman discharging all secretarial duties. Tho run was timed to start from Cranmer Square at 9.30 o'clock and half an hour before that time the cars began to collect, forming up on the west side of the Square. There wero several hundred spectators and each moment saw the numbers of both cars and spectators added to. By the time fixed the cars, about three deep all along, filled the street from Armagh Street to Kilraoro Street and presented a magnificent sight. Almost without exception they wero gaily decorated with flags, large and small, with here and there some ferns or flowers. Tho parade, for so it maj r be called, was under the command of Mr J. M'lntosh, the city motor inspector, who filled tho position of marshal, and so well had. all Preliminary arrangements been carried out that no hitch of any tund occurred. Almost on the striko of 9.30 the Boys' High School bugle band, which escorted th 9 contingent from the station, was heard, and the visitors, about ;',{)() strong and under the command of Lieutenant Jones. R.N., came marching along. They wheeled round and marched parallel with the line of cars before coming to a halt. "When the order was given to "mount," the cars wero filled in a trice, and with rugs of all descriptions bluejackets and marines speedily made themselves comfortable. In one car the men had two banjos, and with song and laughter filled in the minutes until the bugle gave the sound for the whole lino to advance. A minute or two before starting all engines were cranked, and tho hum of machinery was tremendous.

At the order to start tho cars swung into Armagh Street by twos. The route lay along Armagh Street to Rolleston Avenue, thence into Worcester Street, and. then by way of Cathedral Square to Victoria Street and on by Papanui Road to the north. The sight as presented from the bridge near tho City Council Chambers was a very fine one. The line of cars extended from the bridge to Rolleston Avenue, and as it advanced, flags waving, Jack Tars cheering, it made a splendid picture, one of which the city could justifiably feel very proud. It took the procession eight minutes to pass a given spot, and altogether 10S cars were counted. There were cars of all sorts and descriptions, and some of them, did not have a full complement of men. Between 50 and 100 more men could have been taken. For the most part tho cars were driven by the owners themselves, and Miss Cowlishaw enjoyed the distinction of being the only lady driver on parade.

Almost at the start minor troubles, such as faulty sparking plugs made themselves felt, but experts quickly lent their aid and matters were soon righted. Just on ten the great procession left the city, travelling at a good pace, and fortunately for those taking part in it and those watching making little or no dust. . AT KAIAPOI. At Ivaiapoi the party made a brief halt. The cars were drawn up in a triple lino, and a great crowd welcomed the bluejackets with cheers. A largo number of ladies served the party with refreshments. After Mr R*. Wylie (Mayor of Ivaiapoi) had welcomed the men, the Maoris from Tuahiwi and elsewhere, gathered in Kaiapoi foxLand Court business, gave their welcome. The chief delivered an address in Maori, which was translated by Mr W. Uru and then a haka was danced. The men applauded the display vigorously, and afterwards the party started off again, arriving at Kangiora at eleven o'clock, AT RANGIORA.

"With the exception of one, all the cars covered the journey without mishap, the one "lame duck" having to halt owing to the loss of a tyro. The 115 cars in single file and close order on the straight mile of Ashley Street, leading to the Show Grounds, presented a unique sight to the crowds of spectators. On arrival at the grounds the cars were speedily ranged up iu position in the space, allotted to them without a hitch, and the excursion party, together with a crowd of townspeople and others, gathered opposite the secretary's office, from the balcony of which Mr J. Sansom (Mayor of Rangiora) called for three cheers for the representatives of the British Navy and the New Zealand. He then welcomed the visitors from the warship, saying it was a very proud day for North Canterbury to have a gathering of the kind. He had been fifty-five years in Rangiora, and this was the first time lie had known North Canterbury residents to have the honour of meeting with a company of fighting men from the Navy. He hoped that they would all thoroughly enjoy themselves. Ho recalled the great deeds of Lord Nelson and expressed the conviction that the bravery of the bluejackets displayed in his day would be equalled by the men of the Navy at the present time if the occasion arose. He was pleased to welcome the men to the garden of New Zealand, the beautiful country of North Canterbury. The Mayor then called for another three cheers for the Navy and for Captain Halscy the ship's company lelt in Lvttelton, and a hearty response was given.^ Lieutenant E. It. -Jones in charge of the warship party, acknowledged the warmth of the welcome given them, and expressed his appreciation of the outing, which to I hem was a unique one. None ol them hud ever heroic seen such 11 feathering < l t cars and the t.rip »jis very much enjoyed. Ho would t 1 l aptnin Halsov and tho mon 101 l 011 tho ship that ihoy hud boon ronioin-hero-d, and ho coiuo tint in I ho o;u\n bad boon most fortu }\u to . Mo thanKod (ho Mavoi for nil tho Uiutliinn'i -how ii to tho pa 1 1\ , and rallod for llnw rluvrs from the m(?n lor ihoir on tot i mi not s, iY Inch woio heartily rjvrii An "ANMioinMou I not 11 niatoh wn s thon pht vod hot u*oon roprosent.ing tho wnnihip and Iho Ivauj'jora Club, which Iho Miiltirnioii won by iltroo goals to one. lititioh w.'i.'t I hon sorvod in a, largo niarrpioo on tho grounds ah out fivo partook ol it. Iho toast of (t Rum; and Fho Navy,'* proposod hv tho Mayor, wore Lioiitonnnt Jours responding to tho lattor. Tho sports woro then hold, fho various events boinj* rontoslod in a. hearty spirit by tho hluojaokots. THE ATTENDANCE TO-DAY. A RECORD MORNING. Three fine days of sunshine have greeted Lvttelton since H.AI.S. New Zealand arrived in the Port, but early this morning a fairly heavy southerly rain began to tali, and promised to cast. ;i L'Jiioui over tho day's function. As the day advanced, however, the weather brightened. and caused little mtcrlorenee with vi-iiorsio tin- ship. Kve n unxli'i- ad'."frsu weather cundilioiua the Hue

sproarl of awnings over her massive decks afford excellent shcitur, and minimise considerably any Hfctlo discomfort occasioned b ythe weather. Friday is generally considered a bu.sy day amongst the mercantile houses of the city, and it was only to be expected that after the, big rush by visitors yesterday to-day's attendance would riot lie nearly so large. However, there was a steady influx of people r>v the special trains this morning, and by noon 7476 people had boarded the battle cruiser, which constituted a record morning. There arc still several parties of country school children that have to pay their visit to li.M.S. New Zealand, and thi« morning scholars from Southbridge (724) and Little River, Addington and Hornby (784) arrived by special trains, and, with their parents, wero shown over the ship. A Rain the arrangements; for looking after the welfare of the children were entirely satisfactory. Those in charge of the commissariat in the Railway Social Mall supplemented the usual menu with a mug of cocoa, much to the delight of the country children.

PARLIAMENTARY VISIT. By invitation of Captain Halsey, members of Parliament visited the ship to-dav, tho main party going down by the 9.55 a.m. train. They wero met at the gangway by Commander Grace. Captain Halsey met them on the quarterdeck and made arrangements for them to inspect the ship thoroughly, littlo parties of members and their wives and daughters going off in several directions, under the guidance of midshipmen and other officers. After making a tour of tho ship the parties took leave of the captain in his room. Those who visited the ship were—Sir Charles Bowen (Speaker of the Legislative Council), the Hons 11. F. Wigram, C. Lomsson and G. J. Smith, members of the Legislative Council, and Mesers G. Laurenson (Lyttelton), T. H. Davey (Christchurch East), H. G. 1011 (Christchurch South). _ G. W. Russell (Avon), G. Witty (Riccarton), W. J. Dickie (Selwyn) and E. P. Leo (Oamaru). VISITORS FROM DUNEDIN. Already a number of people from Dainedin have made a special trip to Lyttelton to see the battle-cruiser, being. under the impression that if they waited for the arrival of the ship at Port Chalmers they might be disappointed. The proposal that assistance should be offered to Dunedin children to make the journey to Lyttelton has brought a prompt response from the officers of the local telegraph office staff. Early this morning Mr A. J. Talbot, the superintendent of the Christchurch Telegraph Office, telegraphed to the superintendent of the Dunedin office as follows:—"I have pleasure, on behalf of my staff, in offering accommodation in the homes of my officers to any children (boys or girls) of their Dunedin confreres who might wish to visit the battle-cruiser New Zealand at Lyttelton." To-day tho Mayor received the following telegram from Mr Downie Stewart, Mayor of Dunedin:— "Many thanks for your wire. The school children idea is being taken up heartily by the leading schools. Could 1 ask you to ascertain if Wednesdaywould be suitable in lieu of Tuesday, as suggested? The time is. rather short to complete arrangements." The Mayor is at Rangiora, where the message was sent to him. Offers to accommodate the children are being made freely at the City Council Chambers, and there will be no difficulty in billeting the visitors in the city. SMOKE CONCERT. Tire committee has arranged all the details for the second sm6ke concert, which is to be held in the Choral Hall on Tuesday next, and it is anticipated that it will be as groat a success as the first one. A most attractive programme has been arranged, and, as before, items will be given by the men from both the New Zealand and the Pyramus. Hie chair will be taken by his Worship the Mayor. A limited number of the public will be admitted to the gallery and ground floor, and tickets are now on sale in tho town. A RIFLE SHOOTING MATCH. With regard to the rifle match to be fired on the Cashmere range on Monday between a team from the ship and a team representing the Christchurch Defence Rifle Club, definite arrangements have now been made. Twenty marksmen from the ship will go down to practise at Cashmere to-morrow afternoon, and they will then select their best twelve for the match against the club on Monday. The Christchurch Club is the champion club of the dominion, having won that distinction at Trentham last March, and the warship's team recognise that they are up against a hot proposition, but they are quite willing ancl ready to tackle it. Shooting will be—seven shots (optional sighter) at 300, 500 and GOoyds. and will commence at 10.15 a.in. _ Ihe Rifle Club's team will be: —President J. A. Lummis, Deputy-President R. Duthie and Riflemen H. L. Frank, E. F. Sandford, D. J. Guiney, H. Reynolds, W. H. Morrow, H. N. Eiby, W. J. Henry, Jj. W. Menzies, H. A. Logan and J. Chatfield; emergency, Rifleman F. A. Judkins. The warship's team will not be chosen until after their practice tomorrow afternoon. The club will entertain the men while on the range, and will be pleased to welcome any visitors who care to attend. VISITING HOURS. The vessel will be closed to the public on Sunday morning, when divine service will be held, but will be open to the public from 1.30 to 5 p.m. The ship is open to both adults and children each afternoon from 1.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. It should be particularly observed that adults are not permitted to inspect the warship during the forenoons. Tho only exception to this rule is made in the case of adults accompanying children from country schools.

A HANMER INVITATION. [FnOH OuH CORRF.SPOXDEN'XS.j HANMERj May 16. Mr Duncan Rutherford has invited twenty seamen belong!i■ 3 to H.M.S. Now Zealand to visit Haniner Springs 011 Monday, where a social and dance will bo given in the hall in the evening, in honoYir of their visit.

THE PROGRAMME. SATURDAY, MAY 17. Railway excursion. Staircase Gully. Rugby Union matches, Lancaster Park. Visit, of school children, Burnham, Ashburton and Mcthven branches, with Kowai Bush and Otarama. MONDAY, MAY 19. Riflo match at Cashmere.. Christchurch Riflo Club v. H.M.S. New Zealand. Association football match, Burnham v. H.M.S. New Zealand, at Burnham. Visit of school children, Bryndwyr to Rangiora. Freemasons' reception, Art Gallery, to Masonic brethren. TUESDAY, MAY 20. Visit of school children, Oxford and Eyretori brauches and Ashley to Waikari. Vi.sil' of Territorial officers, afternoon. Smoke concert. Choral Hall, 8 p.m., to petty officers, non-coms, and men. WKDXKSDAY. MAY 21. Canterbury Club's nrivato bnll*

Swimming carnival and polo match, | Tepid Bath, evening. j THURSDAY. MAY 22. j No arrangements. J FRIDAY, MAY 23. j Vessel will leave Lvttelton for A-karoa. |