THE BATTLE CRUISER.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1765, 2 June 1913, Page 5

THE BATTLE CRUISER.

OFF TAIAROA HEADS. FLOTILLA GOES OUT TO SEE HER. DUNEDIN'S WELCOME. (By Tel/*j;r«.ph.—Presa Auiocin.tlon.l Dunedin, May 31. H.M.S. New Zealand, after spending the night at sea, came in from the cast this morning soon after daylight, and anchored a mile and a half from Taiaroa Ileads. At 10, o'clock an official party, comprising the .Mayor of Dunedin, the president of tho Navy League, and president of the Overseas Club, and (he chairman of (he Gtago Harbour Board, went on board and welcomed Captain Halsey to Otago. , Arrangements were made for a contingent of marines to como ashore on Monday to take part'in a military display in tho forenoon. A large number of school children, many of whom wero from Central Otago, made the trip outside the heads in steamers during tho day, but none of them were taken on Lonrd. After circling Tound the vessel tho steamers returned to Port Chalmers for other contingents. At 3 p.m. Captain Halsev and several officers came ashore. They were welcomed at Port Chalmers, where a party of Maoris also met them, and gave them a cordial greeting, besides presenting Captain Halsev with an address of welcome. A visit of school .children-to the warship was then carried out most successfully. Four thousand fivo hundred youngsters were taken by train to Port Chalmers, and thence to the spot whore the ship was anchored outside the Heads by n number of steamers. The sea was beautifully calm, but it was thought inadvisable by the captains of the excursion steamers (with whom decision in the matter was left) to attempt to board'the shin. The visiting steamers therefore circled round and then returned to port.

Captain Halsey and the officers of tho Now Zealand wero accorded a civic reception in the Early Settlers' Hall at 4.30 p.m., tho building being crowded to the doors. Tho Mnyor (Mr. W. Downio Stewart), who presided, extended a cordial welcome to Captain Halsey and his officers, and said that the citizens of Otago had looked forward io tho visit of H.M.S. New Zealand with tho utmost interest, their desirs being to inspect New Zealand's contribution to the British Navy. He stated that Captain Halsey had been indefatigablo in his efforts to give the citizens of New Zealand an opportunity to inspect tho cruiser. Ho had visited as many ports as possible, and he had come as close to the port of Dunedin as was practicable. Mr. .T. Johnstone, president of the Otago Branch of the Nan' League, also spoke. Captain Halsev, in replying, expressed regret at; tho climatic conditions which had prevailed off Timam and Oamarn. This had prevented him from anchoring at these places. At Timaru he lmd had 200 men ready to land, but a pale sprang up and frustrated tho plan. He had intended -unveiling a monument at Oamaru to the memory of Captain Scott, but he was prevented. Ho. however, hoped to do so on tho morrow if arrangements could Ik? made. Al: the conclusion of his remarks, Captain Halsey was cheered., and the crowd roso and sang tho National Anthem. CEUISE ON OTAGO COAST. Dunedin, June 1. A large number of people took advantage of the fine weather to visit tho battle-cruiser New Zealand to-day. The sea was calm. A parade of territorials and senior cadets has been called for Monday. Various companies will march by different routes to the Oval, and a salnto will be fired, about 9 n.m. The New Zealand will leave about 2 p.m. to-morrow, and, after sailing past Waikouaiti, sho will bo off Ocean Beach for a few hours in tho evening, when her searchlights will bo turned on to the city.