H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10770, 16 May 1913, Page 4

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

PEOPLE'S DAY."

ATTENDANCE 01 f TWENTY

THOUSAND.

RECORD FOR THE DOMINION. Although about seven hundred and fifty school children visited the battlecruiser New Zealand yesterday, the day might well bo called "People's Day," for a more representative or larger gathering on a warship it would bo hard.to imagine. The total attendance for the dav was 20,000. The weather was cloudy, and the Bright southerly breeze in the morning, which became somewhat stronger in the afternoon, though cold and pierciry, did not in any way doter the many thousands of sightseers who were so anxious to view the big warship. There was a large attendance in the morning, about 5000 people inspecting the vessel. In the afternoon, however, the people began to arrive in thousands. From half-past one there was a liugo crowd waiting for admission outside the high close-boarded fence that had been erected at the approneh to the wharf. Several policemen were in charge of the wharf gates and a number of members of the committee and more police officers were stationed at the gate by the gangway, up which there was a continuous dense stream £or several hours. The sight of the Vessel from the wharf was remarkable. Everywhere there were faces, the ship being crowded from stem to stern with one dense mass of paople. It was impossible for them all to inspect the Now Zealand properly, but generally they were well satisfied with their visit &nd went away pleased.

THE COUNTRY SCHOOL CHILDREN. ' The first arrivals in the morning were the country school children from the Springfield and WhiteclifFs branches, Islington to Rolleston, Rapa>ki, Waiau, ana Cass. These totalled upwards of eight hundred, and when they reached Lyttelton they were at once taken to the Social Hall, and fed. The feeding was a large item for 80 short a space of time, but proper precautions had been taken and as . the children flocked into the hall they were each handed a bag of biscuits and cakes by a band of energetic and hard-worked assistants. Proceeding ! Into the main hall, the youngsters prepared to enjoy themselves. The large ouilding was filled with hundreds of hungry juvenile farmers and rosysheeked country maids, and between the eating and drinking there was much animated discussion. Four assistants by working hard managed to meet the demands for cups of tea, and for some ; minutes they were almost as busy as the children. As soon as all were satisfied, they were marshalled outside the building and proceeded to the ship. ' FASCINATING MAORI GIRLS. ~ From Rapaki there came a little band comprising the youth and beauty of the Maori pa. They came with their Native dress, and they sang their Native . songs. They were a charming and fascinating group, and received much admiration that was well justified and deserved. After their journey from Rapaki, they rested awhile in one of the ■rooms in the social hall, and there, before a large fire, some of them combed out their long, luxuriant masses of hair, while others talked and laughed, and occa- , Bionally broke into song when the pretty dark-eyed girl at the piano played some music that appealed to them. It was a delightful impromptu concert. The pianist wandered from song to song, and the soft, sweet voices of her companions made wonderfully pleasing music. .* , As they went down the wharf towards the warship, they sang a song , of salutation which finished as they stepped on board. They were delighted 'with all they saw, and the attention with which they listened to the explanations and descriptions of the various parts of the vessel well repaid the members of the ship's crew for the care they took in giving a clear account of everything, and for the courtesy they showed to their dark-skinned sisters. There were some boys in the party, and so infatuated with his guide was ' one small lad named M'Kenzie that he presented the 6ailor with the piu-piu _ that he was wearing. Before.leaving, the" little party sang again their song of salutation, and they sang also in Maori " Home, Sweet Home," and " God Save the King." - .The is a translation of their song of salutation:— " The pakeha and the Maori Are gathered here together, Like the stars in the heavens v; - f Around the moon, And are united in one feeling, One love and one aspiration, i. That is the word of the Maori." HAPPY DEAF CHILDREN.

, A happy party of sixty-three children from the Institute for the Deaf walked over the hills from Sumner during the morning and arrived in Lyttelton shortly after ten o'clock. They had been eagerly anticipating the event, and tare keenly interested in the big ship. There was nothing they did not pbserve, and their impressions were wonderfully clear and accurate. The teachers who were with them explained everything, to them, and asked them questions, which they answered with extraordinary intelligence. " Which part of the ship did you like best?" one of the boys was asked. " All of it," he answered, with a broad smile. "What are the guns for?" " For firing shells at the enemy." ' " And who is the enemy?" ' " Germany." The remark about Germany being , the enemy was quite original, and probably the result of some brain work after a lesson in modern history. One of the little girls of the party was also asked what pai*t of the boat she liked best, and she also was noncommittal and said, "All of it." " Did you like going down below?" " Yes, but too hot." After leaving the boat at midday the.children went to the social hall to have their lunch which they had brought with them. The scene was a wonderful contrast to that of the morning. Then one could hardly hear oneself speak, for the children then talked almost as fast as they could eat. Now there was hardly a sound,_and the place seemed strangely quiet with so many bright and happy children around. THE AFTERNOON ATTEND AN CE. Thousands of people arrived in the afternoon to inspect the ship, and from half-past one until four o clock there was no cessation in the solid mass that went four deep up the big gangway. A large number of those who had arrived in the morning brought their lunch with them, so that they might have another look in the afternoon, and picnic parties were everywhere about the railway station and the wharves. Train after train came in laden with sightseers, and there was a crowd waiting outside the temporary barrier at the wharf until well on in the afternoon. On board the New Zealand the cold wind was not felt so much, as there were awnings up over most of the decks. The crowd was c derly on board, although their behaviour was not nearly so good as that of the children on the previous day. A large number of them seemed to ignore altogether the notices of no admission and oalm'ly wandered into parts of the ship which were entirely private. Some of them would go into the officers' apartments, but iu most cases no apologies would be offered. The number of tabies in arms was particularly noticeable, .although it had been stated that they would not be admitted on board. THE TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS. Once again the arrangements left nothing to be desired. The large num-

bers of people were brought by trains without mishap and without delay and the embarking on the vessel was also accomplished with great facility and in a very orderly manner. THE SEARCHLIGHT IT WORK BRILLIANT DISPLAY AT LYTTELTON. Long after tho hour of closing to visitors, large numbers of people congregated along the water-front and on the various roads in tho port. The night was dark, and those who ventured on the highways under tho adverse weather conditions were rewarded with beautiful views of the Imperial Crown glowing in all its glory. Punctually at 0.30 p.m. the searchlight from the battle-cruiser was turned on, and for half an hour tho great lamps of '25,000 candle-power each flashed up the hillsides and to the heavens above. A .second exhibition was commenced at half-past eight and conelud?d at p.m. The sight was a most impressive one, and the exceptionally high power of the. lamps enabled onlookers to pick up various points on tho Peninsula and the hills overlooking the port. * The flashing of tho searchlights was also clearly seen on the city side of the hills, the clouds reflecting tho rays perfectly. THE CITIZENS' BALL BRILLIANT GATHERING EXPECTED.

BALLROOM A CHARMING SCENE. Tho conversion of Messrs l'yno and Co.'s wool storo in Moorhou.se Avenue into a ballroom has been a big undertaking, but it has been a very successful one. The immense room has been divided into an ideal ballroom, with supper-room, smoking-room, dressingrooms, vestibules and corners, and tho whole place has been decorated on an artistic and very effective scheme. The shed, as it appeared last night, lighted with some 400 electric lights, was as much unlike a wool shed as it could be. lie rafters have been hung with masses of muslin, which also cover the pillars, and colour has been given to the scene by baskets of artificial pink roses hanging from tho roof. Tne Ivowai Bush has been drawn upon for cabbage trees, tree-ferns and other bright foliage, which cover the walls and temporary partitions and convert the place into a most delightful fairyland. A large part of the shed has been set aside for a supper-room. Mr J. H. Aitken and other members of the committee who have the arrangements in hand have had the advantage of ample space at their disposal. There is no crowding and no scrimping. A number of men from tho vessel have undertaken the decoration of the supper-room with flags. There are Union Jacks, ensigns and flags used on the battleship for signalling, and they are being arranged in a way that gives a great variety of colour and a strong effect. Special attention has been given to the dancing floor. It, of course, has the lion's share of the space. It has been raised several inches above the ordinary floor, and the edges have been slanted off to avoid any abruptness. The catering also has been gone into very carefully by the committee, and as it has been given to an experienced and well-tried caterer, who has taken many large contracts of the same nature in hand, the committee _ confidently expects that this item in the arrangements will be highly satisfactory. As stated previously, there will be special trams to take people to the ballroom and special trains to take them back to Lyttelton. Arrangements have been made for all carriages bringing people to the dance to drawup at tho door beneath an awning, so that in the event of rain there will be no chance of anyone getting wet. At the conclusion of the dance the city inspector will be present, and will see that all vehicles stand in order of their coming on tho south side of Mocrhouse Avenue, the line commencing at the right side* of the entrance gate. The Hon W. F. Massey, Prime Minister, the Hon W. H. Herries, Minister of Railways, and the Hon R. H. Rhodes, Postmaster-General, •will be present, as well as the Mayor (Mr H. Holland) and a large number of other prominent citizens.

The following is the programme:— 1, The Lancers, " Arcadian—Oh, you beautiful doll"; 2, waltz, "Have you forgotten"; 3, waltz, "Pink Lady"; two step, "Lazy Dance"; waltz, " Quaker Girl" ; waltz, " Dreaming " ; one step, "Gaby Glide"; waltz, "Mousme"; lancers, " Oingalee " ; waltz, "Life's Rainbow"; waltz, " Saints and Sinners"; two step, "Alexander Ragtime " ; waltz, " Chocolate Soldier"; waltz, " Valse Desiree"; waltz, "Merry Widow"; galop and waltz, "John Peel"; and medley. The music will be rendered by Miss Scrivenor and a band of ten. The General Officer Commanding (General Godley) lias given permission for uniforms to be worn by all officers attending the function. TRAM ARRANGEMENTS. In connection with the ball to-night special trams will be run after the conclusion of the ball to Papanui (old terminus), Cashmere (Barrington Street), Riccarton (Church Corner), Yvoolston, Linwood, Richmond, Addington and Edgeware Road. Passengers for any suburb other than those stated will be carried to their destination as far as the third section from Square after cars have run as above. A tramway inspector will be in charge of cars opposite the ballroom, and he will arrange for extra trips to be run as required. The fare will be Is 6d per passenger irrespective, of the distance travelled.

TUE DUNEDIN CHILDREN. OFFER ON BEHALF OF CHRISTCHURCH. ACCOMMODATION TO BE FOUND. MR HOLLAND'S PROPOSAL. The '.secretary of tho Otago Education Board has been informed by the Railway Department that in view of tho possible difficulty- in tendering the battleship oS Otago Heads in the event of bad weather, the " line of distance " stipulation has been abandoned, that is to say, tho school children may now be conveyed free, under the prescribed conditions, to cither Lytteltou or Timaru, but not of course to both.

The question of accommodating tho Dunedin children has been raised, and yesterday the Mayor consulted several members of the executive and gathered that accommodation could be provided for a larrre number of Dunedin children. As a last resort two large marquees could In erected in the barracks and tho children could be accommodated there.

The Mayor discussed the proposal with Captain Halsey, who said that the proposal to tend the children to Christ, church was the best that could be taken in hand. Th.ro was a chance of tho sea being rough at Dunedin, and in that case it was questionable if the children or anybody else could get on board.

Mr Holland found yesterday that he would have no difficulty in finding accommodation. Mr W. Gahagan, Mayor of Spreydon, stated that he would find accommodation for twenty-five children, Mr Hornibrook for twenty, and forty if necessary, and the St John Ambulance Association seventy. Others offered to help, and Mr Holland concluded that temporary homes could be found for 400 or 500, and possibly 1000. He discussed with the Hon R. H. Rhodes, Acting Minister of Defence, the possibility of obtaining tho use of the King Edward Barracks, and he said last night that there would bo no difficulty in that r-espcct. Mr Holland last night sent the following telegram to the Mayor of Dunedin : " Oq behalf of tha dtisens

Christchurch will do all in its power to assist in finding homes forchilrlren of Dunedin to visit H.M.S. New Zealand at Lyttelton. Believe homes can be found for 400 or more for two nights. Can arrange for a large number to shake down. Please wire me your requirements. Children will probably have to visit ship on Tuesday."

WOTES.. The local entries in connection with the swimming carnival to be hcflcl in the Tepid Baths on Wednesday evening in connection with the visit of the warship will close with the secretary of the Canterbury Centre of the N.Z.A.S.A. to-morrow, at 8 p.m. The programme, which includes a 33 l-3yds interclub race and a 133 l-3yds relay race, in addition to several novelty items, will be open to local swimmers and the visitors. Wednesday and yesterday were undoubtedly the two busiest days on the Christchurch-Lyttelton railway line since New Year's Day, but in the latter case work along the water front is suspended, and, consequently, the attention of those in charge of arrangements is confined to one section. To keep the port open to goods traffic and also handle many thousands of visitors requires much thought and also an efficient staff to carry out. the necessarily large amount of detail. The railway yard in the port yesterday appeared one mass of railway trains running in all directions. The Savage Club has secured the hall in the Provincial Buildings for its Empire Night korero, which will be held on Tuesday -evening, when officers of H.M.S. New Zealand and H.M.S. Pyramus and officers of the garrison will be the guests of the club.

The crowd at Lyttelton yesterday was at times exceedingly large, but it was always good-humoured. An exception was one man who felt aggrieved because the gate on the wharf had been shut on him when he thought he should have been allowed inside the barrier. He succeeded in pushing the gate open, and the old man in charge was knocked down. SeniorSergeant Ryan remonstrated with the man in an effective manner, with the result that he imagined he had a still bigger grievance and tried to obtain witnesses to support his charges. His efforts, however, were hardly what one might call successful, the crowd regarding the incident as an amusing relaxation.