THE NEW ZEALAND.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1724, 15 April 1913, Page 5

THE NEW ZEALAND.

OFFICIAL VISITS. MESSAGE FROM KING. LIST OF FUNCTIONS. THE CAPTAIN AT TOWN HALL. At tho request of the Prime Minister, his Excellency filio Governor forwarded tho following cablegram to liis Majesty tho King on Saturday:— "liis Majesty tho King, "London. "On ( be'half of myself, my Government, and tho people of New Zealand, I desire to fender our respectful congratulations on the safe arrival in Wellington harbour of H.M.S. Now Zealand. "(Signed) LIVERPOOL." To which the following gracious reply has been received by his Excellency:— "I thank you, tho Government, and tho people of New Zealand for kind message, and congratulate them on tho safe arrival of their fine ship. "(Signed) GEORGE R. AND I." To the grim Imperial visitor lying just off tho Queen's Wharf, tho city of Wellington so far lias not presented very cheerful aspect. Tho northerly gale which raged on Saturday and Sunday had changed to a bleak southerly yesterday morning, and a grey sky greeted the grey battleship. During tho hours that tho general public was privileged to go aboard, tho weather was far from inviting, and thfero were not many visitors to the warship. • Owing to tho unpleasantness of tho weather, the Ferry Company's picnic to tho ship's company was postponed till Monday next. Captain Halsey paid an official visit to tho General Officer Commanding tho Now Zealand Forces (Major-General A. J. Godley, C.8.), in tho morning, and subsequently tho Commandant, accompanied by Colonel E. S. Heard (Chief of the General Staif), Lieutenant-Colonel H. O. Knox (Quartermaster-General), Lieuten-ant-Colonel'G. N. Johnston (Director of Ordnance), Lieutenant-Colonel tho . Hon. E. H. Collins (Adjutant-General), and other officers of the General Stall', formally returned tho visit. , Captain Halsey yesterday made a return call upon the Prime Minister at his office in tho Government Buildings. Captain Halsey was accompanied by Lieutenant Boyle. Functions in connection with the visit of tho New Zealand wliiclu will bo attended by the Prime Minister and other members of the Ministry ere tho Citizens' Ball, this evening, the ball at which the officers of tho ship will be entertained by the members of the Wellington Club, and tho luncheon in the Town Hall on Friday next. AT THE TOWN HALL. Captain Halsey, accompanied by Lieutenant Boyle, returned tho compliment paid to him by the visit of,tho ActingMayor and the City. Councillors, and the members of the Harbour Board'on Saturday by officially calling upon them at tho Town Hall yesterday morning., Captain Halsey was received in the Mayor's room. 'iho loyal toast of "The. King" was honoured, and then the '(Acting-Mayor 1 (Mr. John Smith) proposed-the health of Captain Halsey, and tho officers 'and: crew of tlio battleship New Zealand.. The toast was supported "by tho chairman of tho Harbour Board '(Mr. R. Fletcher). Mr. J. Smith, submitting tho toast, 'extended a welcomo to tlio visitors; and added that ho hoped that tho stay of tho officers and men of tho Now Zealand in the Dominion would I>B a, plehsant one. They were all pleased to know that, included in tho sliip's , company wero a number of' New Zealandcrs. Mr. R. Fletcher said 'that tho mission of tho ship and tho ship's company to New Zealand would strengthen tho bonds of Empire by stimulating a • patriotic sentiment in New Zealand which would 'endure a very long time. " Ho was quite euro that when they all returned to England after circling the world, their memories of tho trip would bo lasting and valuable. Captain Halsey,' in reply,, thanked the Acting-Mayor and tho others present for their welcome. The gift of the shin by tho Dominion, ho said, was a magnificent one. The vessel was one .of. the,.lutes! models, and sho liad already proved I bo a valuable force in preserving peace. If the time ever came when they would have to show what tlio ship was built for ho was suro every man'on her would give a good account of himself. . They liad tho very strongest incentivo to do so in tho knowledge that N«w Zealand wa3, watching tliem in everything' they did. 'They wero reminded of this by the fact that on tho quarter-deck of the ship they had the arms of Now -Zealand. Captain Halsey was then shown over the Town Hall. Before leaving ho extended to the Acting-Mayor, the City Councillors, tho members of tho Harbour Board, and their wives, an invitation to visit the Now Zealand oil Thursday afternoon. Captain Halsey and liis officers wero tho guests of the AYellington Garrison Officers' Club at a smoke concert held in the Concert Chamber, Town Hall, last evenine. CAPTAIN PLEASED.' ; ■ In a communication forwarded to \Tiib Dominion by Captain' Lionel Halsey, of H.M.S. New Zealand, that officer concluded by saying: # . "I can only sav that our reception hero in Wellington has been truly magnificent." > TO-DAY'S EVENTS. This afternoon somo 500 school-children from the Clyde Quay (at 1.15 p.m.), Roseneath, and To Aro Schools (at 2.45 p.m.), will be taken across to tho battleship. They will bo taken from Standards I to VI only, the infant school children being considered too young for such excursions. . In tho morning a special train will carry a party of 250 of the ship's company, in chargo of Lieutenant Jones and Mr. Mack (gunner), to Wereroa, on a visit of inspection to the _ Government State Farm. The parte - "'ill return to town nt fi.2o p.m. At 2 p.m. this afternoon twenty noncommissioned officers of tho Royal New Zealnnd Artillery.; will pay a visit of inspection to tho battleship. In tho evening there will be. the citizens' ball. ILLUMINATIONS. It is officially announced that on this and following evenings from 9 o'clock till half-past ten, weather permitting, the battleship will bo illuminated, in outline. Tlio Imperial crown wus displayed in electric illuminants last evening. Tho battleship is now in telephonic communication, with the shore, licr telephono number being 3184. In connection with tho Citizens' Fcto at Newtown Park to-morrow afternoon, tho Government offices will close at noon. If tho weather is unfavourable on the day, it is probable that tho luncheon to tho ship's company will be served-in tho Town Hall, tho sailors afterwards marching to the Park. Tho Mayor invites the citizens to observe a half-holiday also. Captain Halsey and his officers will bo tlio guests of the New Zealand . Club at luncheon in the Y.M.C.A. on Thursday, at 1 p.m. Tho warship is open for inspection by tho publio from 10 a.m. till 11.45 a.m., and from 1 p.m. till 5 p.m., during which periods a yellow and red diagonal flag will bo flown from tlio masthead. CITIZENS' BALL. . .A lnrgo number of tho 1 officers of H.M.S. New Zealand have intimated their intention of l>eing present at the Citizens' Naval Ball this evening, including Captan llalsey, K.N., 11.5.H, Prince Georgo of liattcnberg, and tho Right Hon. Lord Bugh'hcrsh. Everything points to the ball being ono of .the finest functions of tho kind ever held in Wellington. Special tramcars are running after tho ball to most of tho suburbs. Au intimation appears in another column to members of the Ball t'oimnitlco to v<!p:ir.t..bi'foro noon to-day to Mr. Palmer, tlio hou. secretary,

as to tickets sold by tliem, 60 that tli r caterers may to apprised. PRESENTATION FLAGS. The member for Timaru (Mr. .T. Craigie) had nn interview also with Captain Halsey, of tho Now Zealand, yesterday regarding Hie presentation to tho battle-cruiser of two flags, tho cost of which lias been subscribed by tho ladies of New Zealand. Tho movement originated ill Timaru, and following upon action in that town a sum of .£IOO was raised, contributions being received from various parts of tho Dominion, Both tho flags are of silk. Ono is a forty-foot Union Jack and tho other is a lioynl Standard. Mr. Craigio suggested to Captain Halsey ihat it would bo ■advisable to have tho flags presented in a placo at which a largo number of people could assemble. Captain Halsey readily concurred, and it was agreed that tho presentation should bp made at Caroline Bay on one or other oi the days upon which tho New Zealand will be lying off Timaru, April 29 and SO ORPHANS' CLUB. It is anticipated that" one of the most entertaining functions yet held by tho Or' plinus' Club is that ta be lield this weokr Being tho opening, and a ladies' night, great preparations aro being mado for th# reception of the captain and officers of IT.M.S. New Zealand.i It is anticipated that over 1500 guesta will bo present. The tickets have to be limited to this num.: l>or, owing to tlio elaborate arrangements to bo mado for serving supper to .thf ladies. Tho programme will bo tho best that can bo staged, and will bo novel in character. If possible, a real Maori halts by members of tho Nativo raco will bi produced. Ladies' tickets can bo had al the Wellington Piano Company. Messrs. J. Myers and Co., agents foli tho 'Ardath Tobacco Company, of London, have presented to the crew of tho Now Zealand, through the Navy Leaguo, 5000 "Winifred" and liavo been in. formed that tho gift is appreciated,