THE BATTLESHIP.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1749, 14 May 1913, Page 7

THE BATTLESHIP.

BERTHED AT LYTTELTON. SPEECH BY CAPTAIN HALSEY, (By Tolcgrapli,—Frees Association.) Christcliurch, May 18. The battleship New Zealand entered Lyttelton Heads at one o'clock this morning, and anchored for the night. By that time tho weather had moderated, and, as the morning broke fine, thousands of people made the trip to port. Long before tho official party went down to welcome the 'warship small vessels by the score had visited Camp Hay, where tho Now Zealand anchored. There was, of course, a great display of enthusiasm when the Harbour Board's lug, with tho official parly on board, and accompanied by excursion steamer.", launches, motor boats, and small sailing craft, went down (he harbour niul escorlcd tho warship into tho harbour. The tug gave her ft lead through the moles, aiid (hen sho swung easily inside tho breakwater, and was berthed promptly on tho stroke of ten. At eleven o'clock several official calls wcro made on Captain Halsey and in the afternoon, at the Theatre Royal, Captain Halsey and several of his officers returned the call made upon,them by tho Mayors of Christ-church and surrounding districts, the chairman of the Harbour Board, and the chairmen of several local bodies. The proceedings were most enthusiastic, and Captain Halsey's speech ovokod much applause. In the evening two hundred men from tho warship were entertained at a smoking concert. At thecivic roception in the afternoon, speeches were given by tho Mayor (Mr. H. Holland), the chairman of the Lyttelton Harbour Board (Mr, R. Moore), the president of the Canterbury branch of the Navy League (Mr. .T. J. Dougall), and the president of the Veterans' Association (Mr. ,T. Trimbell). Captain Halsey, on rising to speak, received a great ovation, cheers following applause mid the singing of "For He's a .Tolly Good Fellow." After returning thanks Captain Halsey said lie hoped that tho citizens of Christchurch would all come aboard to see the fine ship which the Dominion had given tho Mother Country. They in tho Navy, had no politics, but he thought it was only right to say that tho Government of the day. when the shin was (riven, was presided over by Sir Joseph Ward, 'l'ho gift of the ship had been of tho greatest value to the Umpire in more ways than one. For one thing it had led other Dominions (o do the same thing, and' hod caused possible enemies to seo what Great_ Britain could produce in Greater Britain. There eould be no doubt that tho presence of that ship in (ho Dominion had made a tremendous stir in Europe. There was another Government in power now, and he wanted to give all honour to tho present Government who, lnd so heart ily arranged for the comfort of the New Zealand in New Zealand waters. It was said (and he hoped always would be said) all over the Empire that politics had nothing to do with the Navy, and he was glad to see that was exemplified so well in New Zealand. (Applause.) Continuing. Captain Halsey pointed out the value of the school children's visits to the s'lip. So far the ship's company had received nothing but kindness in New Zealand, and he desired to return sincere thanks for all the kindness shown. He would only like to ask Hint the ' people would not be over-hospitable, for such was quito possible. He wanted them all to be reasonable, as he was sure they would bo. He was thankful (hat Lyttelton' Harbour had been so improved as to make it possible for the ship! to como up to the wharf. The credit for bringing tho ship , into the harbour so well was due to tho chief pilot (Captain Thorpe), and not to himself, as tho Mayor had said. (Loud applause.)