THE BATTLE-CRUISER RETURNS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1774, 12 June 1913, Page 5

THE BATTLE-CRUISER RETURNS.

TRIBUTE TO THE PORT.

EASILY BERTHED AT WHARF. "NO ADMITTANCE." Without assistance of any kind, H.M.S. New Zealand was berthed alongside tho King's Whorf about noon yesterday by Captain Halsey, her commander. There was no fuss or trouble, and tho incident passed as if it had been an ordinary oversea vessel berthing at tho wlmrf. On her previous visit to Wellington We big battle-cruiser lay at anchor in tho stream. Whilo cruising down the Now Zealand coast Captain Halsey dispatched a letter to Mr. R. Fletcher (chairman of tho Wellington Harbour Board), in which he stated that ho would berth immediately on arrival, and his confidence in tho port was such that lie would not require tlie assistance of a pilot. It seems, therefore, that Wellington's reputation as a port second to none in New Zealand has been maintained. The ship was drawing 28ft., and was berthed alongside tho King's Wharf in 42ft. of water. It is stated that it would bo impossible for a vessel of her size to do tho same thing in any other port in New Zealand.

Lyttelton was the first port in these waters to be given tho distinction of having Now Zealand's Dreadnought alongside a wharf, but on that occasion Captain' Halsey had to liavo the services of a tug and a pilot. Even then tho work of getting her alongside was an undertaking requiring nico judgment, and it reflected credit on the Lyttelton harbourmaster. When spoken to on tho subject yesterCaptain Johnston, harbourmaster, stated that ho was quite proud of tho port of Wellington, and, taking all things into consideration, tho work of berthing U.M.S. New Zealand yesterday was well done. Tho battle-cruiser left Picton at 6.30 a.m. yesterday, and arrived at Wellington at 11.45 a.m., having taken a little over four hours on the run across. AVhen she was being brought in to tho wharf several hundred people looked on as interested spectators. The ship's band was playing whilo tho operation of berthing was in progress. In connection with tho event, half of the Kings Wharf has been barricaded off. Lying alongside the wharf, H.M.S New Zealand appears much bigger than she did m the stream. Her bridge is about level with the top of tho sheds, whilo the distance from tho vessel's deck to tho wharf is about 10 feet.. She remains in port till Sunday next, when she will leave for Waliganui, sailing at noon. Sho arrives there on June 16, and departure will bo taken for Now Plymouth on tho samo day. She is due at the Taranaki port on Juno 17, and subsequently proceeds to Russell, where she is timed to arrive on Juno 19. Departure will be taken for Auckland on the same day. She remains at Auckland till June 26, on which date sho leaves tho Dominion finally. During th?_ship's stay here slio will remain at the King s Wharf, but as originally arranged, she will not bo open for inspection by tho public. Invitations liavo been issued' for aii "at homo" on board the battle-cruiser from 3 p.m. till 5 p.m. to-day. To-morrow ovening the' officers will give a: 'ball. His Excellency the Governor was a passenger bv H.M.S. New Zealand from Picton to Wellington, and last evening tho officers attended a reception at Government House.

A presentation will tako placo in tho Town Hall to-morrow afternoon at a fumction organised by tho Navy League. New handsome silk flags, subscribed for by the Timaru branch of the Navy League, assisted by donations from othor parts of NewZealand, will bo formally presented to Captain Halsey. Bat for tnc battleship having to curtail her. programme at Timaru on account of the bad weather, tho presentation—which will be mado by General Godley—would bavo taken placo at that port. / In reply to a very jubilant telegram which a Wellington resident interested in harbour affairs received at tho timo tho battleship New Zealand was berthed at the wharf at Lyltelton from a patriotic; Gliristchurch citizen, the Wellington man dispatched a reply yesterday. Tho retort on behalf of Wellington was as follows:—"Amongst arrivals hero to-day wa3 Dreadnought Now Zealand. At captain's wish, sho berthed alongside wharf. No dredging, no pilot, no assistance required—no fuss, no excitement, l't was all so easy. There is only forty-two feet of water at the berth; her draught U twenty-eight." Christchurch people were, it is said, extremely proud when tho big ship tied up safely at Lyttelton, but there was some dredging before she arrived, a pilot was engaged, and, if tho newspapers of the district gave a correct impression, there was both fuss and excitement. Although H.M.S. New Zealand is not open for public inspection during her liresent visit to Wellington, Captain Halsey has, telegraphs our Mastertbn correspondent, granted special permission to the Masterton veterans to inspect the vessel, and they will proceed to Wellington 011 Saturday for this purpose. A TRANSPORT PROBLEM. (Br falesr&sh.—Pr«a> AesocUtlon.) Wanganui, Juno 11. Considerable difficulty is in front of H.M.S. Now Zealand reception committee in connection with conveying school children to the battleship in tho roadstead.' With tho Government steamer Tutanckai and two local steamers there is accommodation for only 900 children per trip. Closo on dOOO, besides adults, aro expected, which will take at least five trips for these three steamers, and unless' other transport is forthcoming it will be impossible to handlo the sightseers within the time available. An effort is being mado to get a steamer np from Wellington, and also to arrange that one or more steamers working tho port next Monday shall suspend discharging and tako a hand in the ferrying.