THE BATTLE-CRUISER.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1742, 6 May 1913, Page 5

THE BATTLE-CRUISER.

ELEVEN THOUSAND' CHILDREN ON BOARD. (By Telegraph.—Preas AsaooUtlon.) Auckland, May 5. Children's Day was observed on the battle-cruiser New Zealand to-day, a total of .soma 11,000 children boarding tho Yeasol in organised parties, under their teachers. A party of Girl Scouts also visited tho ship during the afternoon. The Northern Club gave a conversazione to tbe Governor to-night, at which, tlio officers from 11.M.5. Now Zealand woro present. The yacht race on Saturday and yesterday (held in connection with the Battlecruiser's visit) resulted in a win for the yacht Rawene, commanded by Sir. Head, from H.M.S. New Zealand, tlio second place'. |?Jins to Ariki, with Commander Grace'at the helm. ; The accession of the King will be cole- , brated to-mnrroiv by tho ship being dressed and a royal saluto fired. At noon a party of bluejackets will come a-shore and march to Victoria Park, and saluto tho colours. '

JAUNT TO ROTORUA. (By Telegranh.-Srecial' Corrcapondent.) Rotorua, May 5. An unusually animated »scenc was noticeable on. the Auckland railway station platform (for a Sunday) yesterday morning. The occasion was tho departure 01 tho iirst contingent of otlicers and men from the battleship Kew Zealand ior Rotorua. Tho party consisted of 18 officers and 12 of tho crew, and included I'rinco George of Battenburg and Lord Bui'ghish. An ideal day for travelling prevailed, tho Jfiiu shone brightly, iunJ, although the weather was somewhat cold, all enjoyed the journey. The sconcry along tho route was much admired by the officers, and, in" paxts, it reminded them of tho rural lands of England. The sailors enjoyed themselves immensely throughout tho journey. They beguiled the time by singing patriotic and other songs to the accompaniment of concertina music, and, as an interlude, ono of tho company "regaled" their ears with strains from the bagpipes. As. the train passed along it was ovident that tho setters had heard that the naval men were to go to Rotorua, for men, women, and children came out and waved flags and handkerchiefs, as a welcome to tho visitors, while th<? sailors responded heartily. The train stopped at'four stations before reaching Rotorua, viz., at Mercer, Frankton, Morrinsville, and Putamru At each of these numbers of people were assembled wearing red, white, and blue tokens. - ' '

Tho train reached Rotorua nt 5 p.m., and a large crowd of people was on the platform, greeting tho visitors with cheers. The officers were taken to the Grand Hotel, ■ while tlie men were accommodated at tho various boardinghouscs. To-day the visitors were taken on tho round trip through Tarawera and Roto•;iahaua. . _____