H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1751, 16 May 1913, Page 5

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

DUNEDIN CHILDREN TO GO NORTH. (By Telesraph.-Presg Association.) Christchurch, May 15. In a telegram from Dunedin in this morning's "Press" it was stated: "Tho ttrcrctarj- of tho Otago Educatimi Board has received advice from tho Railway Department that in view of the possible difficulty in tendering the battleship New Zealand off Otago Heads, in the event of bad weather, tho lino of distance stipulation has been abandoned; that is to say, the school children may now bo conveyed free (under tho prescribed conditions) to either Lyttelton or Timaru, but not, of course, to both." The Mayor of Christchui'ch announced this evening t'hat accommodation could bo provided for at least JOO Dirntdin children, and more if necessary, for two nights. As a last resort, large marquees could be erected in tho barracks, and tho boys could be accommodated there. There would bo no difficulty about securing sufficient mattresses ami blankets, but this method would only be adopted if tho number of children arriving was greater than the private accommodation available. Christchurch, May 15. Though the weather was cold and overcast to-day there was a large, attendance on the Metropolitan Trotting Clubs grounds at Addington, where a sports gathering for the men of H.M.S. New Zealand was held. • Amongst those present were tho Hon. K. Heaton Rhodes, Captain Blount, and the Mayor of Christchurch. Several athletic events were well contested and proved very interesting. The "star" item was the field gun l display by two teams under Chief Petty Officer Sweeney. The manoeuvres which were gone through were; smartly and effectively done, and tho display was thoroughly enjoyed. An exhibition trotting race was another feature of great interest. Secret handicaps were fixed, and no official times were taken. The horses in the race were; Mr, IJ. M'Donnell's Emmeline, Mr. J. G. M'Conochie'.s Aberfeldy, Mr. H. F. Nicholas Gianella, Mr. A. G. Wilson's Bright, Mr. W. Kerr's Bellis, Messrs. M'Millan and Allies' Lord Dillon, Mr. D. Spence's Little Tib, Mr. J. Lorgelly's Lord Heathcote, Mr. 0. I'. Sutton's Delia, and Mr. J Brice's Jenny Lind. Princess Louise and Bell Metal were scratched. The race resulted as follows:—Emmelino (owner), 1; Bright (owner), 2; Bellis (owner), 3. During the day a very large number of school children and adults visited the ship. To-morrow two hundred seamen will ( bo taken for a motor drive to Rangiora where sports will bo held. In the evening u ball is to be tendered by the citizens to the officers of the warship. Tho Prime Minister and the Hon. 31. Heaton Rhodes accompany the men to Ringiora.