CITIZENS' WELCOME.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1719, 9 April 1913, Page 8

CITIZENS' WELCOME.

ARRANGEMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS ' A'meeting'of'the Citizens' Committee ■which' has' in hand arrangements for entertaining 1 tile 'crew of H.M.S. New Zealand in ' Wellington was held last night. Mr. G.' Frost presided at the commencenient, and later the Mayor (Mr. D. M'Laren) arrived and took the chair. Mr. W. H. i Morton, City Engineer, reported :tlio. programme agreed upoil by the Executive- Committee, the substance of Iwhioh has., already' been published. ■ Briefly, it 'is proposed to provido a dinner fori the men at Newtown Park on Wednesday,' April IC, sports for tho man-o'-warsmen, displays of dancing, and other entertainment., •••. • 'Ilia Executive Committee's) report was adopted,--- — Mr;.:R. Fletcher reported that he had ■ been-able'to. arrange with the Harbourmaster. to have the ship berthed at one ! of ,tho wharves on Thursday, April 17,. On Saturday,,.- April 19, there were to be.motoiscyclo.'races at Trentham, and ■ ''Mr!-Hi I).-Bell had informed him that ■■ the: sailors would ,be carried to Trentham on that day free of chargo on the railway. ' The" Minister had also promised that tho Government would devote a $um of money to give tho men a luncheon on the ground. Mr. B. A. Guise moved that it be a recommendation to thp executive to take steps to 'have tho observation car placed at the disposal' of tho inan-o'-warsmeu on days Iwhen they were not otherwise engaged.: . Mr. A. Marryatt suggested that the men who could not get leave to attend tho welcome at Newtown Park should be entertained on some other day, and a sum of money might bo set aside, if possible, for this: purpose. ■ ■ An'other proposal that ivas referred to ' . the ' Executive Committee was that a ' Concert,; ;containing possibly some novel ■ ■ items, ■ ,sucli as a Maori haka, should be given for tho men cither on the ship or in the Town Hall. . Mr-.'iWUH.-P. Barber moved that a special invitation be extended to his Excellency the Governor to be present at tho Citizens' Fete. Ho (Mr. Barber) had heard that it was the Governor's intention -to give a ball and two garden parties ■in Aifckland, but to come to Wellington only - to receive Captain Halsey, and to return to Auckland by the first available train. Ho thought his Excellency should be urged to attend some of the functions in the capital. . \..Mr, U. Fletcher seconded tho motion, which was carried. - Another- proposal mado was that the ' 'Maoris'of "Otiki'might bo induced to assist at the welcomo by giving a few dunces orl'othehvise. . Olio 'member of the committee thought the Maoris might roast-a buHorsTtiiu the old-fashioned way, but this suggestion was not adopted., ..There >was,.-.a counter-proposal that a contidgent' of' .sailors be taken to Otaki t.); bo entertained by tho Maoris, there, '"But it'was fhohght that this, would b» too great a tax to put upon the Natives' generous hospitality. It was finally agreed to ask the Government to bring tho . Otaki-Maoris , into Wellington free, to assist''at tho"'welcome ceremonies . at Newtown Park, provided the Maoris wero Willing to do so. Oil Mr..- Fletchor's motion, it was resolved to, ask the Tramways Committee to allow,-officers and men of the warship • to travel -fro^.,of- charge on trams during ' itho battl&hip'Ot.ay in Now Zealand. Several members of tho committee urged that some moro should be dono to find amusement, for tho men on days not now occupied, tyit it was argued against them that-tho'work of the ship had to I , be done, and some days would be required for coaling. After tho ship arrived other , arrangements might bo'made. BONFIRES AT MTTiAMAR. ' iThe Miramar Borough Council propose to'celebrate tlm arrival of the battleship by having bonfires lighted on the heights above Mirainar on- Saturday night. Tho council; will provide for one big fire on the-highest point attainable, probably on-!Mouilt Crawford, and tlioy are invit- ; ;.iilg residents to assist by lighting smaller i fires oii' other hills. TO CAPTAIN HALSEY. ■ As soon as is convenient after the nr- > rival of H.M.S. New Zealand in port, I'llo ; local nranclii of the Overseas Club, will t, through its president.(Sir Edward Clibbps)

and secretary (ill*. Barclay), present the I following address to Cantaiii Halsey, i K.N. - From over tho seas wo gave you, For lovo cf the mother land; Over the seas you return to us For a grip of a kinsman's hand. And when in tho face of tho foenion The Hag of St. Gcorgo is unfurled, "\Ye know you'll bo true to the trust placcd iu you By tho Britons this side of tho world; To Captain Halsey, K.N., H.Af.S. "New Zealand." Sir,-On behalf of the committee and members of the Wellington Branch of the Overseas Club, wo louder to you; to your officers, and to the ship's company of his Majesty's ship Now Zealand a hearty welcome to this Dominion. Wo desire as a patriotic organisation to express our admiration for, and profound belief in the great and noble servico which 1 you represent; m the assurance, that it will be equally true of you, as of your predecessors. "Whether their fame centuries long should ling They cared not over much, But cared greatly to serve God and the Ki"S And keep the Nelson touch. Signed on behalf of tho committee. E. O. GIBBES, Bart., , President. WM. K. BARCLAY, Secretary. NOT WANTED ON SUNDAY. (By Telegraph—Press'Association.) Gisborne, April 8. A public meeting in _ connection with the reception of the New Zealand resolved to request the Government to arrange for the vessel _ to call sonic othef dav besides Sunday, iu order that the country., people may have au opportunity of inspecting the warship. WANTED AT WANGANUI. Wanganui, April 8. Various deputations waited on the Prime Minister this morning to bring under his notice a number of public matters. Application was made for the battleship New Zealand to visit Wanganui. The Prime Minister pointed out that tiie vessel was not under control of the New Zealand Government, but representations would probably be made to the -Imperial authorities to enable tho battleshix) to visit Wanganui and other places. • LETTER FROM CAPTAIN HALSEY. , Durscdih,- April 8. The hon. secretary of tho Navy League (Otago branch) has received the following letter from Captain Halsey, ot H.M.S. New Zealand:— < "Melbourne, 31st March, 1913. "Sir, —In reply to your letter of 20th February, I fear it is impossible for the New Zealand to enter Otago Heads, but I shall endeavour whilst in New Zealand to anchor outside the Heads in order that tlia people of Dunedin may have a chnnce of seeing the ship. Should you decide,, however, to send a small contingent of children to. Wellington, they. \('ilf be heartily welcomed on board tho ship, and will be shown everything. We shall be at Wellington from 12th to 22iul April, but the date, of our visit to Otago cannot yet be settled. You will ba informed wlieii the programme has been made out. "I am, etc., "LIONEL HALSEY, Captain.", DEPARTURE FROM MELBOURNE. By Telegraoh—Prssa Association—Copyrichl (Rec. April 8, 10.0 p.m.) ! Melbourne/April 8. The. battle-cruiser New Zealand sailed for Wellington at ono o'clock this afterI noon.