LORD KITCHENER.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 703, 31 December 1909, Page 6

LORD KITCHENER.

HIS ARRIVAL,AT PORT DARWIN. The Dutch steamer Van Outhoorn arrived at Port Darwin on December 23 from the Netherlands Indies ports (says a telegraphed "special" in, the "Sjdnoy Daily Telegraph"'), bringing' Fitld-ilar-shal LorJ Kit"hmwT, vith kis', A.D.C. Coptam Fitzgerald. Colonel and Mrs. Poster ■wero also passengers.

: A.lmniediatelyi tie-vessel 'anchbred;ia'boat :from'H;M.S.:.EncouatayiCamdHl'iDgsuie, Kirkpatcick; ; ir Without i; for^tho 1 ,and-welcomed-the.'J^eld-Marsh'al,itt'Aus-,tralia/>!AftenrafdsiKrd iKitchener Vwas. : takon , off; ; tq/'thoy Encounter Kin JaS boat •from:\that:"cruiser.^?aAdya' ? .EeldTl£aisrial's: salutO' r ofrl9.,'guns! ? ech'oed?rdimdHli'e-,cli£Es: ' of ,Hhd : harbouriiyFpllowiug 1 ; .Mr.;-Justice!'-Herberts %ithj his w secretary,: ■coiinißr>^/Thie^Eraoßnt:£-wfiromed' i: ttie' ; ;great;;sbldi6r;;dn.;behalf.:;or'-vtKet State* ot l-SbutfcVLustfalia.-X'?!!^^^

, At 530 p ra. Lord Kitchener landed at the railway jotty, and was welcomed bj Councillor Barnes,, chairman of the district council, and Councillors Bell Kelsey, Kirkland, and Wicbcrden. he was *t Mr. Somerville, ihe railway* superintendent Councillor Bums, in welcoming the visitor biul "Mj Lord, on bolulf of tho residents of this territory, we beg to extend to you a very hearty welcome to I'ort , Lord Kitchener leplied- "I thcnk vou most waimly. I \am veiy glad indeed to be in Port Darwin to-day." * 'Ihrce rousing British cheers cut the words shirt, ,uid Mr. Justice Herbert then escorted the Field-Marshal to the train, waiting on tho 3etty, and the party pioceedcl hi the railway stu'T. where vehicles were in waiting. A part), consisting of Lord Kii-chcaer, Majr General Hoad, Colonel Kirkpatrick, StaffofhceV and Captain Fitzgerald, , A.D.C , Uaptam Colon?I) if HM.S Encountei Mr. Jubtito and Mr. Holtze, then drove to Point Emery, which is tho eastern head of ine entrance to ,tho harbour; thence through tho expenuental gardens to Fannie Bay, and from theso ponts wore ablo to see and grasp (he great natural advantages which the haibonr possesses for defence. Eetirning to the Ee»ideno/, the party was • enter tamed at dinnei Dy Mr. Justice Herbert After dinner the .Residency party, consisting of Mr. Justice Herbert and Mrs. and Miss Herbert," Lord Kitchener, MajijrQeneral Hoad, Kirkpatnck, Clptaiiii, I'itigerild ind Colomb, and <Jrfr. Holtze, ~ tended i concert in tin Town Hall, given by the band of HMS Encounter. This proved >a most successful luirhon The residents wore intensely 'ehrfhtud th.it Lord Ivit-henor honoured them with,'iia presence. This was a greatei pleasure because it was thought possible that no opportumtj would oe afforded for many to see tho great soldier. Lord Kitchener entered thoroughly into ! the onjoyment of the evening, and appeared particularly to enjoy tho comic songs, with poimed hits at the state < of the army -lnd navy. _ Interviewed by a press repreijitative, Captain Fitzgerald, AD.C, stated that Lord Kitchenei ai rived at Singapore after his visit to Japan in tho steamer Assave, and staved there onlv one day, joining Do Carpentiere at Singapore. They voyaged to Batavia, whoio they landed, and'were the guests of the Conimander-in-Chiof of the Dutch forces m the East. After spending ono. day in Ba'tavia.'-Lurd Kitchener proceeded to Buitonzorg, wheio the Governor-General was residing, and there he was welcomed and entertained by tho Govornoi'-General. Leaving Buitenzorg, but still the guest of the Gov-ernor-General, ho was taken by rail and motor to all tho most famous beauty spots in Java, and finally, aftei sis. days in Java, joined the Van Outhoorn for Port Darwin on the lllh instant Tho stay in Java was thoroughly enjoyed Tiy Lord Kitchener, as wes also~"tho voyago through innumerable Dutch Islands hut the. lack of progress of , colonisation seemed to the party a matter for much 6urpii!:e. ,' ' Arrived atjllwaki Island, tho Van Outhoorn met with a most serious mishap, winch threatened to unset all'the Australian programme of tne Field Marshal. Tho water is so deep at this port that no anchorage, is piwible, and accordingly steamers keep undor way tho whole of tho time. The Van Outhoorn was steaming backwards and forwards waiting for 'hei, boats to return to tho ship, when, in broad dav light, she grounded hard and fast on the shore, and remained fast foi 12 hours. So firmly did she ground that no hopo was entertained of floating' her off for 10 days, and, accordingly, a boat was dispatched on a long voyage to the nearest cable station to cable for HMS Encounter or some other vessel to be sent to assist tho Van,Outhoorn, but, fortunately, the worst fears were 'not realised, for the vessel was'floated after, 12 hours, without much apparent damage. Captain Fitzgerald says that Lord Kit-, choner carefully studied the charts of| this harbour, and has examined the natural features for defence, and that he is very much impressed indeed with the great natural advantages existing there tor defence. It is understood that Lord Kitchener considers the harbour be, most easily and { effectively fortified, and! \that m this* it offers greater*! natural than Singapore. jX,,- 1 Lord Kitchener created a most favor / able impression 'Far from bemg cons...!cred severe, haughty and unapproachable, he is very ready to be pleased. As he i ascended tho jetty steps there was no doubt m the minds ot anv as to which I was Lord Kitchener, '"tall (about Cft. ' 2in ); with fine 'military bearing, brown hair caiefullyt brushed, very florid complexion, prominent steel-grey eyes. ' l