THE WARSHIP.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1731, 23 April 1913, Page 8

THE WARSHIP.

SAILS TO-MORROW MORNING,

ENGINEER'S DINNER.' OTHER ITEMS AND NEWS NOTES. Owing to craling operations, II;M.S. New Zealand v:-.s not open .for inspection by the genera -oublic ye-lerday. The wuivhip will sail for Napier to-morrow morning. ■ At 111 a.m. to-day tha officers of the Fifth Wellington Regiment and their wive> will visit the ship, us the guests of Captain Ilalsey. The visitors will leavo the wharf at 9.-15 a.m. . In the afternoon a party of Wellington journalists will visit the warship by invitation, leaving the wool wharf at 2.30 p.in.

The warship will not be open to the general public to-day.

Jlr. ]!. M. Wilson, who is representing tho Government in connection with the visit of the warship to New Zealand, leaves by tho Tutanekai for Napier, Gis-' borne, and Auckland on business connected with the visit of 11.J1.5. New Zealand to these ports, at each of which the Tutanekai will be available for the transport of school-children to tho warship.

ENGINEERS ENTERTAINED, - BY MERCHANT SERVICE MEN. Tlie engineers of the merchant service, members of tho Marino. Engineers' Institute, entertained a few' of the engineer officers of 11.M.5. New Zealand at dinner lost night. There were about 80 membeis of tho Institute and guests present. Among tho guests of honour wero Engineer Commander Turner, Engineer Lieutenant Marshall (both of 11.M.5. New Zealand), and Engineer Lieutenant liayfier (of H.M.S. I'yramus). Jlr. J. Cable, president of the institute, was.in the chair. The loyal toasts of his Majesty the King and his Excellency tliQ Governor wero given with proper, honours, and then tlie chairman proposed "Our Guests." Ho remarked that the utmost cordiality had always Existed between engineers of the navy and thoso of the merchant service, and the men of the merchant service wero glad and proud that it should be so. Ho had no doubt that tlio engineers of tlio New Zealand woukl well and worthily uphold the traditions of their splendid service, and that if the hour of trial should como the New Zealand would not fail through any fault of theirs. Engineer Commander Turner responded very briefly. Oil behalf of the engineer officers of tho New Zealand he thanked tho company for the very kind and cordial way in which the toast had been, accepted. lie was sure they were all very proud to bo officers of tlio New Zealand, and ho was sure, too, that they would do their best to make tho New Zealand a credit to the navy

Mr. R. Duncan, chief inspector of machinery for New Zealand, proposed "The Navy." It had been said that tho navy was Britain's strong right arm, 'suid i a poworful navy was essential to Britain, not only,'by reason of lier own insular position, but because she needed to - protect her overseas Dominions, liver sinco the Battlo of Trafalgar Britain had been mistress of the seas, and he hoped she would retain that supremacy. He believed that the servico was the most efficient in the world, and. as an instance of tho proof of its superiority he cited tho Cal-. liope incident, where of seven men-of-war in Samoa harbour only 0110 ship, the only British ship of tl/e seven, was able to steam to safety and the open sea. He ventured to suggest that the saving of tho Calliope was iu great port due to the engineers c:i that vestc-i. Ho had seen the engine room of the New Zealand, and lie believed thai Commander Turner and his staff would do ail that was asked of them if,thc time ever eniuo wlicu. the> ship had 16 take her place in tho battle fleet.

Engineer Lieutenant Rayner responded to the toast very briefly. Ho had hoard, he said, of the saying in this part of tho world, "Sing, shout, or get out." Ho felt very much iike getting out. That being impossible, ho would content himself with thanking them for having honoured the toast of tlio navy with sueli cordiality. The Mayor of Wellington (Mr. D. M'Laren) submitted tho .toast of the Parliament of Nw Zealand, but ho spoke, mainly of tlio important and noblo part played by engineers in tlio development of tho world to-day, and more especially of the important work done by tho engineers on such a fighting ship as the New Zealand.

The Hon. C. M. Luke responded to the toast.

Other toasts honoured were "Shipping and Commerce," "The Ladies," and "The Press." An enjoyable musical programme was supplied, and all present spent a very happy evening, PRESENTATION. By this timo Captain Halsey, of tlio H.M.S. New Zealand, muct be tlio possessor of many interesting curios of a historic nature, yet each day further presents are made. Yesterday, Mr. J. W. Kinniburgh presented, through tlio local branch of tlio Navy League, a coloured print of the old gunboat, H.M.S. Meander, in. a squall off tho New Zealand coast in ISGO. The vessel at that 'timo was in charge of Captain Ifcppel, who was afterwards an Admiral. The painting will be on view in the window' of Eaton's Art Shop, in Willis Street.

ANOTHER SUGGESTION. Sir,—Would it not be a graceful acft if we New Zealandcrs were to inako some return in permanent form to tho crow of our battleshio for all their kindness to us? 0110 among tho liugo crowd on board on Sunday afternoon could fail to bo struck by tho kindness, cheerfulness, and courtesy of every member of tho crow. Tho discomfort to the men must have been very great indeed, and the sarno will recur at very frequent intervals for tho next 'thretf months, during the ship's tour of our ports.

If everyone going over tho ship wero to givo only ono penny, tho total would suQico to make a' very handsome presentation. Whajt, perhaps, impressed 1110 most on tho ship was tho cheerlessness of tho men's quarters—no worso, I presume, than thoso on other ships—but still, very different from tho conifoi'tablo homes from which their visitors had just come. I should liko then to proposo that a general committee, or tlso tho Xavy League, should undertake 'to raise subscriptions for making a presentation to tho ship's crow, and that tho proceeds lie devoted to increasing tho men's comforts in any way tliiit may be thought advisable and permissible. When this object is accomplished, any balance remaining over might bo expended in un-' necessary silver plate.—l am. (ftc., G. M. SCOTT.

Marton, April 21. THE VISIT TO DUNEDIN. HAKBOVB CLAIMED TO BE SAFE. (By Telegraph.—l'rcES Association.) Duncdin, April 22. With regard to the depth of water available.in I lie lower harhonr, and the possibility of H.M.S. New Zealand entering Otago Heads, _(lic engineer of tho Harbour Board officially advises that tho minimum depth at low water at the cntranco is 37ft., and from entrance to Pulling Point, threo miles inside the Heads, it is 31ft. As tho members of tho board understand that tin; battle-cruiser is drawing under 28ft., they think every effort should be made to get her to come inside. Tho harbourmaster and pilots, are satisfied that the vessel can be brought in without risk, and if responsibility ill the matter was theirs, tliey would be fully prepared to take it. Tlio battleship could i.e anchored off Harrington Point in 50ft. at low water.

It is understood that the board's engineer and the harbourmaster will leave for tlio north oil Thursday to interview Captain Halscy, and place at his disposal all the information of which they are in possession with reference to the depth of water in the lower harbour. EXCURSIONS TO NAPIER. ' In -connection with the .visit of H.M.S. New /calami to Nunier, it is announced that a special school excursion has been

arranged for the sdliool-chihlreu liortli of and including Slnng-amaire—a few miles south of I'ahiatmi—and east of Ashhurst. 'I'lio train time-table for tho excursion, which is fixed for April 25 (Friday next) is as follows:—

Lonvo Slangamaire, G. 30 a.m.; Pahiatua, 0.52 a.m.: Slangataiuoka, 7.1 a.m.; Haunevirko, B.'JO a.m.; arrive Napier 12.10 p.m. Oil reluni journey Iho train is timed to leave Napier at 1.55 p.m., arriving at Dauliovirko at 11.25 n.m.; Slangatainokn, 10.35 p.m.; l'ahiatua,* 10.15 p.m.; Slangamaire, 11.5 p.m.

There will he no restriction as to Ills age-limit of the youthful excursionists, that hcing left 1o the judgment of school committees and head teachers to determine. The children -will proceed direct from the station at Napier to the Tutaiiekai at (ho wharf, am! as their stay at His port will necessarily-bo brief, parents are advised to provided suilicient supply of food. Children will travel free, while members of school committees will travel at excursion rates. Mr. .T. Dineen, tho Wellington- Education Board's Truant Officer, will proceed to Napier to assist in the marshalling aiul embarkation of tho children at the wharf. He has been act,ing in a similar capacity during the Wellington excursions.

OTHER ITEMS. 'Sir. C. W. Palmer, secretary of 'tho local branch of the Navy League, states that Captain Halsey has consented to unveil a memorial tablet of tho late Captain Scott, R.N., at tho Waitaki High School, at Oamaiu. 11.M.5. New Zealand took 1000 tons of coal into her bunkers in record tinio yesterday. The officers of the battleship entertained a number pi their friends oil board last evening.'.;