THE VISIT TO WANGANUI.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12883, 17 June 1913, Page 5

THE VISIT TO WANGANUI.

AN HISTORIC EVENT.

GREAT CROWD VISITS CASTLE-

CLIFF.

VISIT MABRED BY ROUGH SEA.

ANOTHER BATTLE CRY.

Our country and our King! Sho is not hero in war, .sut sweeter far we sing Our daughter o'er the seas afar

An emblem she of peace and power, To let our country's foes beware That wo are ready for that hour if come it will v when they would dax»,

St. George and Andrew, Patrick too, Hiavo children here, and in her crew Remember too that all tho threo Have made us groat, and true, and freo. 5?-n Irish, Scot, and Angle say, Welcome,, bravo.ship! and may the day you aro called in war array To do your duty and to pay the toll,-'" B? distant far as polo from pole; But when iv comes, as come it may, Bo ready, boys, we'll not be far away.' CALEDONICUS.'

I Circumstances mado to order could -not have been more auspicious than thoso which ushered in the arrival of tho H.M.S. Now Zealand at Wang-i----siui yesterday morning. There was sharp, crisp, bracing south-westerly-weather, and the sun shone'brightly in a sky which, save for a passing cloud, was peerless. The early morning was quiet and 'peaceful, tho light brecv.« scarcely 'raffling tlio usually turbulent waters at tho bar. Everything promised to a fine day. The battleship was first sighted from Castlecliff af". 8-30 a.m., making her way from Point Terawhiti to tho Wianganu? roadstead. She appeared to bo about three miles off. In tho distance she looked like a black pile, with vast volumes of smoke belching fz*om her funnels. Tho leviathan stoamed on, presenting .an appearance of majesty, dignity and strength. She did not sweep or churn, but simply lei tho-hillocks of the coastline slip past her. without the faintest curvo of a wave-lino along her abrupt sides. She camo on steadily, snowing her broadstdo to the gazing people atCastleelifr. When somewhat south of thq^ harbour entrance,.and about four miles out from tho CastleclifE wharf, the anchor was dropped, and for tho rest of the day she remained peaceably at her moorings Tho impression she gave theso who.*.? attention sho absorbed was of speed rather than Jtrongth. Her lines wern clear-cut. and elegant. Some of her admirers, not well versed in nautical and naval affairs, judged her size hy nor height above water. Consequently they £elt samo disappointment in"that . respect! 'Her hull,; jndteed, 'is-quite low in tho'water. 'Towards'the- stern" -she tapers ofr until tho 'decks'ai'o vdrt l<J\r.' t A tnomen+'-s thongirt. Jx^vever,- bi'irt^ to.mindthn fact thit "her. great ton-^ nnsfi and her displncement are aecoilntod for by thn weight &ho carries between her sides.