H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1738, 1 May 1913, Page 4

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

* AUCKLAND'S DOINGS. LUNCHEON FOR THE SAILORS. (By Telegraph.—Seecial Correspondent) Auckland, April 30. The second day if the visit of H.M.S. New Zealand to Auckland was ushered in by rain, ihis, however, ceased in tho alternoon, and tho otlicers and'men who camo ashore in considerable numbers wcro able to explore the city and its environs under fairly pleasaut conditions. About COO school children want on board tiio battle-cruiser this morning, and both ollicers and men joined in the pleasant task of showing tlieiu round. Tho only formal festivity yesterday was tho civic luncheon to a tho ship's company. Two hundred and fifty members of tho crew, in charge of First Lieutenant Jones, were brought ashore at 11.30 a.m. in one of tho Devonport Ferry, Company's boats. Tiiey were formed up in marching order at tho Quay Street Tee, and proceeded up Queen Street to the Town Hall, where luncheon had been spread oil circular tables in tho supperroom. The procession of sailors attract* ed the attention of pedestrians, who stood ill hundreds to watch them as they passed. A lixtlo squad of veterans, under Mr. Tlios. Allen (president Of the Veterans' Association), awaited tho "boys in bluo" at tl>» Queen Street entrance to tho Town Halt, and eauie to tho salute as tho party halted inside the. hall, Messrs. W. B. Leyland and S. J. Nathan (members of the Entertainment Executive) welcomed the visitors, and the Mayor (Mr. C. J, Parr) was also present. After luncheon one or two speeches wore, of oourse, inevitable, but they were commendably brief. The Mayor proposed tho toast of "Tho King," and, after it had been honoured, tho guests sang a verso of tho National Anthem. This was something to have lienrd for tho men sang, not only with remarkable vigour, but with a striking degreo of harmony, tho bass and tenor parts being tunefully sustained, whilst tho baritones rendered tho air. I\lr. Leyland proposed tho tcast of "H.M.S. New Zealand," and onco more tho vocal abilities of the man-oMvarsnien were made apparent by t|ie way in which' they gavo voico to "Rulo Britannia." That First Lieutenant Jones is a popular officer was convincingly derjonstrated by tho prolonged cheers with which his men greeted him when ho rose to respond to tile toast. Tho only other toast was that of The Veterans." on whoso behalf Mr. T. Allen responded, and for whom the sailors gave threo lusty cheers. After tho civic luncheon, tho men were given freedom to entertain themselves as they would. Each man had been presented by tho Auckland EUctric Tramways Company with a froe pa'is, entitling him to rido upon tho trams, ou any section, during tho stay of tho battleship in port. Numbers of yesterday's stow party availed themselves of this privilege, and visited several of the suburbs. Others rambled about tho city on foot, looked at {Tie' shops, and conversed with tho citizens, and every man returned to the battleship when his leave expired Impressed with tho friendly treatment meted out to him. ~,11 111 the evening members of the Auckland Club entertained tho officers of tho Now Zealand at dinner. The streets wcro again thronged with peoplo (including a good sprinkling of sailors), and an air of festivity reigned until a late hour.

. MUST SEE THE SHIP. 3\tAOEI I/AND CpUJIT.HELD UP. (By Tele?rapli.—Special Correspondents Auckland, April 30. The loyalty of the Thames Natives gava rise to n somewhat unusual incident at* the sitting of tho Native Laud Court, which opened yesterday morning, presided over by Judge Bollaixd. The Natives present intimated that they could not remain to attend the sitting of the Court which would have to bo adjourned owme to tlie fact that they intended to proceed to Auckland lo honour tho arrival of tho battle-cruiser New Zealand in that port. Ilis Ilouour pointed out that such a proceeding could not be allowed to interfere with tho business of tho Court. Tho Natives stated that they could not postpone their visit to tho warship as it was one of great importance from their point of view. Eventually his Honour had to postpone the sitting for a week.

PRESENTS AT GISBORNE. (By Tcloerapb.—Prtß» isolation.) Gisborne, April 29. H.M.S. New Zealand left at i p.m. yes. terday, for Auckland. Captain Halsey replied in very cordial terms to tho Maori address of welcome, slating that 'tho great treaty wlifch joins tho Maori race to the British stands as a great asset to tho Empire*. Maoris danced three hakas, the first of defiance, tho sccond welcoming tho New Zealand to her own waters, and tho third a haka. of victory. Two young Maori girls placed at Captain Ilalsoy's t'eet beautiful kiwi and kercru mats, and an ancient mere, which had been through many Maori batiks. An adjournment was made to the captain's cabin, where the presentation of a Maori mat was made to Princc Georgo of Batteuberg. The Prince replied, stating that it woulcl plcaso his friends at Home for him to have been thus honoured by the Natives of New Zealand. The presentation of an address was made later to Captain linker by 'the Overseas Club. Responding, the captain remarked that the club was doing a great Imperial work, lie always made a point to keep in touch with members wherever ho was.

MAORI LETTER OF GREETING. (To the Editor.) Sir,—On behalf of myself and those of *ho Maori race who are residing in the IVairarapa district, I ask you for a small spaco in vour valuable paper in which to print tie following words of welcome lo Captain Ilalsey to our foreshores:— "Welcome, Captain Halsey, commaudor of the battle-cruiser New Zealand! Greetings to you and your able-bodied followers who havo como from the Motherland ill charge of tho Dominion's gift, which was presented lo our Empire—the Empire of Empires! You have come from the far ends of tho earth, as wc toriji it (i tawliitiuui. i tawhitiroa. i tawhitipamaniao), from t".r King and Lord and Sovereign, and from tho defender of all colonies, under tho mana of our Gracious Ring Georgo V and Queen Mary. You a o came from tho great Admiralty, r)io.«; pent of the sea, the supervisor 01 battle-fleets, . , "Wo welcome tho visitor of ancient davs. You were brought to our iniost right from the very upper edge of the horizon; and to-day yon kayo fuihllert our wishes. Wc havo your ship anchorin cr in oue of the seaports of Ao-toa-i<oa.-In former da v s the p.ikcho stood ouiside ilVrnn " A bouse which stands outside the pa is woalc, but a house which stands inside is (pa-tu-wala-wflta) a strong: Other people may say: •Wh-d is' the good of one battleship?' But, to our idea', it is better to have one than none. We refer you to Turalnn s son's motto, which runs as followl have fought single-handed and have conquered tlie sea. a l ' o confident in that belief that the. same will apply lo the battle-cruiser New Zealand.—l am, ctc " "PURAKAU MAIKA. "Carterton, April 23, 1913."