THE WARSHIP.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1725, 16 April 1913, Page 7

THE WARSHIP.

CHILDREN'S DAY ON BOARD,

THE ILLUMINATION.

BRILLIANT NIGHT SCENE.

THE FETE TO-DAY,

Perfect weather yesterday favoured tho first of tho school invasious of tho battlecruiser New Zealand, now ewinging at her anchors to tlio winds and tides off tho Queen's Wharf. Shortly after lunch, the boveviunont steamer Tutanekai, lent to (ho local Education authorities for tho conveyance of tlio youthful visitors, ranged up alongside tho warship, and a small anny of boarders from Clyde Quay bohool without cutlasses, of course— sn armed over the decks, and overran the Bliip, peeping into grim corners in jjun turrets, straddling on tho guns, and climbing ladders into mysterious heights in tho superstructure. Another party, from To Aro and liosoneath Schools, followed not long after, and an indulgent crow piloted tlio eager sightseers here ana, there, explaining "how tho wheels go' round." Tho school cliildren spent a very pleasant afternoon, and although they might not liavo come away very much wiser as to tho way of the 'Navy at sea, yet they had a first-hand impression of tho might of British sea power. Tho children of tho remaining city schools, and of those suburban schools not on tho railway, will visit tlio warship to-day and to-morrow, in chargo of members of their respective leaching staffs, and of tlioso members of tlio respective school committees as can conveniently attend. ' Tho children will bo .marched by schools to tho Wool Wharf, Jervois Quay, for embarkation on tho lutanekai. It is especially requested that each school will make a point of attending punctually at the time set out belotv. Certain schools which wcro previously notified to embark at 10 a.ni. aro requested to attend' half an hour earlier, at tho timo stated hereunder, as follows: To-day (Wednesday).—9.3o a.m.: Newtown. 10.30: Terrace and Wadestown. 3 p.m.: Mount Cook Boys' and Mount Cook Girls'.

It is expected that tho interval between noon and iip.in. will bo absorbed by school visitors from--up tho Mauawatu line and Wangnnui. „ Thursday.—9.3o a.m.: ICilbirnie, Island Bay, Mitchelltown. 10.30 a.m.: South Wellington, Northland, and Mnknra. 2 p.m.: Brooklyn, Maranui, l'encarrow, and, probably, Muritai. 3 p.m.: Normal School, Kurori, and Worser Bay. Owing to tho alteration in the date of tho warship's depal'turo from Wellington, tho excursion trip of the Wairarapa school children lias been changed from Tuesday of next week to Friday of this week.

JACK TARS IN THE COUNTRY,

VISIT TO LEVIN,

A party of 200 men from tho New Zealand, under Lieutonant Jones and War-rant-Oliicer Mack, were conducted on a trip to the Levin -district by Mr. B. M. Wilson, of the Tourist Department,' yesterday. On arrival- at Weroroa, tho party was officially welcomed by Mr. J. Robertsoii, M.p. for tho district, and Mr. B. R. Gardiner, Mayor of Levin. Tho occasion of tho visit was observed as a holiday in tho district, and visitors flocked ill irom far and near to Welcome tho inan-o'-wars-men. Cadets and Territorials wcro also on parade, and tho town had all tho appenranco of a gala festival. Addressing the blue-jackets, Mr. Robertson referred to tho battleship, and 6aid that'the country's inspiration for tho gift was tho defence of tho rac3 and the perpetuation of 'all that British'' ideals stood for. He hoped that Imperial co-opera-tion in defenco would bo fostered and strengthened, while at tho samo time cherishing tho desiro that ultimately nil international differences would bo extinguished, and universal peace prevail. Tl\o Mayor also spoke, and tho visitors were then escorted to tho local racecourse, where sports: of various kinds wcro indulged in. Tho idea of visiting tho Stato Farm was abandoned, owing to the state of the ground after the rccent rains.

A STRIKING SPECTACLE

THE BATTLESHIP ILLUMINATED. Last evening, for the' first time, tlio battleship was illuminated in silhouette, 'i'ho night was beautifully fine, the seii like a mill-pond, and the lines of the wnrsliip, traoed bv rows of elcctrio lamps, shimmered nnd glowed against the blackness of the harbour beyond. Largo crowds of peoplo camo down to tho waterfront, nnd ascended to points of vantage near their homes to.gaze at the spectacle. So calm was tho water that tho reflection from tho warship glowed bonealh liko a pool of lire. TKo New Zealand will be illuniinatc-d again 'this evening.

i THE SALUTINX3 CANARD. A paragraph supplied to newspapers in different parts of tho Dominion by tho Press Association was published on Monday with reference to tho absence of a salute from tho forts on the arrival of H.M.S. New Zealand at Wellington. A3 tho paragraph appeared to reflect on the defence authorities mid tho Government, tho Prime Minister points out that tho King's Regulations, and also tho New Zealand General Bcgulatious state distinctly that his' Majesty's ships and l his Majesty's forts not exchange salutes in any part of his Majesty's Dominions. Tho Government has now decided i,o remoro tho restriction as to age in connection with tho conveyalico of school children free to visit, H.M.S. New Zealand. All school children will bo conveyed frco irrespective of age.

THE FETE TO THE MEN. Tlio following is tlio complete programme of tho Citizens' I'cte, which is being given to the mou ofi 11.M.5. New Zealand, at Newtown Park to-day Three hundred nml fifty men will leave tho JUan-o'-war Steps, headed by Uieir band, iit. 11.30 a.m., and march to tho Town Hallj luncheon at 11.-15; leave Town Hall at 12.15, and lnarclu to Newtown l'ark. Sports start 1.30. Sports "Programme: 1.30 p.m., KlOyds. race; 1.40, gun-wheel raco (for field-gun men); 1.45, wheelbarrow race, fiOyds.; 1.55, Landsmen's race,. 75yds.; 2, 100 yds. race, under 18 yeurs; 2.10, sack race, 75yd5.;.2.20, 220 yds. race; 2.30, sailor's hornpipe; 2.10. obstacle race,' 440 yds.; 2.55, three-legged race, 50yds.; 3.5, relay race, SSO.vds. (fur teams of four each man to run 220 yds.; four teams,' or j)n second prize); 3.15, barrel race (blindfold), 50,vds.; 3.20, veteran race, 75yds.; 3.10, ficld-gmi display; I, spar iilld bolster pillow light; 1.15, tug-o'-uar, 10 men and captain, seamen, engine-room, marines, teams from each Miction, no limit to number. Platform evrnU.—Highland dancing exhibitions during the afternoon. ■Members of the Native race will be in evidence at the fete in Newtown l'ark 10-day, Mr. Daniel Mara Love, chief of tho Ngatiawa tribe, having arranged a pouwhiri or ccremonial welcome, which will take the form of a liaka and chants of welcome. About 35 men and women of tho Ngntiaw.i tribe.' will take part, and possibly they may be reinforced by thirty or more members of the Ngatiraukawa Iribo from Otaki. llifi Entertainment Committee has arranged to give these Natives free railway passes to Wellington, and they have been written to, but; Up to last evening no reply had como to hand. The Maoris taking part in,to-day's ceremonial will be attired in tlio ancient costume of their race. The Prime Minister (the Hon. A\\ l\ Massey) regrets that ho will be unable lo attend the luUe!ic>i)|i,at Hie Town Hall, but hopes to be abje lo visit Hie Park during llie al'lci'iinVn.' The bluejackets had the O.l'. naval guns, field mounted, on shore yesterday, and put ill some lime rehearsing various evolutions to be carried out to-daj;,

, OTHER ITEMS. Tho executive of tho Orphans' Club" imnounco that only XCOO tickets will Ijo issued for tho ladies' night and tho roooption. of tho oflu'ers of H.M.S. Now Zealand on Saturday evening next. It is stated that, tho programino will he original and novel in character.' A real Maori lialca has been arranged in he performed by weil-known members of the No tiro raco gathered from tho Wellington district. If possible pui dunces will also bo introduced. I'atriotie and other items will bo rendered by the best artists available, A_ country correspondent displays somo anxiety ns to tho certainty or uncertainly, of (lie warship lioing open for inspection should ho como down to sco her. He and others may rest assured on that point. Tho warship will not 1» berthed, but during this week the general publio may board lier by ferry-buat between tlio hours or )0 a.m. and 11 A!i a.m., and 2 p.m. and S p.m. TJio excursion faro on the ferry boat is one shilling. Schoolchildren aro ferried free on tlio Govern-, ment steamer Tutanckai, which berths at the Wool Wharf, Jervois Quay, near tho Ferry Wharf. (Jno day is as good as another for the visit. We are asked to state that Captain Halsey's invitation to tho City Councillors, members of tho Harbour Board, and their wires, to risii; tlio New Zealand, is for Thursday morning, not Tlmrsda", afternoon. 1 '