H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1763, 30 May 1913, Page 3

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

9 A ROUGH DAY. NO VISITORS AT TIMARU. SQUALL UPSETS FUNCTIONS. (By TelcEraph.—Press Association.) Timaru, May 29. A very fine morning induced large numbers of country people to visit Timaru to-day to inspect the battleship, four special trains from Orari, Fairlie, and Waimato (2) bringing in big loads.

Unfortunately the heavy swell in the roadstead where the New : Zealand anchored about two miles out, was too big to allow the Government steamers or anything elso except small launches to l'io alongside. Consequently school children could not bo put aboard. They were, however, taken in parties round tlie ship, and given a good closo view of her. The Corinna and fivo smaller steamers and »omo of tho bigger fishing launches plied busily all day from 10 to 4 u'clock taking parties to sco the ship, and thousands must have gone out. A few—very fewgot aboard with difficulty from the small launches, and had greater difficulty in getting off again. Tho official party, of between thirty and forty, went oil' in tho small steamer Cygnet at 8.30, accompanied by a party' of Maoris. Tho Mayor formally welcomed Captain Halsey and his officers and men to Timaru, and tho welc6mo was acknowledged.

3lr. H. Kailiu, Mrs. Rickus, mid others mado presents to Captain llalsey, and Mr. Kailui spoko a welcome in Maori, lu tho course of his remarks, ho contrasted the Now Zealand with tho Native canoo ill which he had mado trips up and down the coast. Mrs. liickiis added welcome on behalf of tho Maori women. Captain Halsey made a suitable reply.

Elaborate preparations had been made for luncheons to the officers and men, and a big processiou and naval sports in connection with the presentation of a silk ensign, 21ft. by 12ft., and a Union Jack to match from tho Woman's Branch of the Navy League. To everyone's disappointment, a strong southerly squall came up

::t 11.30 a.m., and a strong breeze continued throughout the afternoon, making a choppy sea on top of tho sv,1?ll. Consequently Captain Halsey dermcd it prudent to remain on tho ship. General Godley had eonio down with him from Akaroa,'and had intended to land lS;ro ar.d go north by tho first express, >.ut at Captain Halsey's request he cancelled his engagements and attended the lunch, and received tho flags on his behalf, and the programme was generally adhered to, except the snorts. The flags, which were enclosed in a neat oak casket, wero presented by Mrs. Edgar Jones (late of Mount Nessing), president of tho Women's Branch of the Navy League (Timaru Centre), on behalf of the women of New Zealand. Mrs. Jones made a short address, and General Godlev, in accepting tho gift on behalf of Captain Halsey, expressed the latter's regret that ■he was unable to be present, and his own pride in having the honour act as a substitute in so interesting and patriotic a ceremony.

But for the unfortunate squall upsetting the official arrangements, the day passed off well. It is considered that there have never been so many peoplo iu Timaru before, certainly never so many on and about the bay. The Now Zealand lfcft at about G. 30 p.m. for Oamaru, going very slow. THE DUNEDIN VISIT. Dunedin, May 29. Captain Halsey has agreed to land 300 men from the warship on Monday to take part in the Territorials' parade in Dunedin, and he will personally take charge.