VISIT OF H.M.S NEW ZEALAND

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 265, 5 August 1919, Page 6

VISIT OF H.M.S NEW ZEALAND

ENTERTAINMENT PROPOSALS. The Hon, G. W. Russell, Minister of Internal Affairs, states that in order to avoid overlapping and inconvenieneo to intending hosts in the various centres (luring tne'visit of H.M..S. New Zeai.and, the Government has arranged for -Mr. B.' M. Wilson, General Manager of the Tourist Department, to confer with tho local authorities with tho object of drawing up a complete programme of entertainments, etc,, for the ship's visit at each port. It is proposed that iMt. Wil' son, in conjunction with the respective Mayors, should meet those in each centra who desire to give entertainments ill honour of tho New Zealand's visit, and it is requested that intending hosts will kindly communicate their intentions at once to their Mayor or chairman of tha Reception Committee, so that the programme can be definitely settled before the arrival of tho vessel. Mr. Wilson will leave for Dunedin and Christchurch immediato.y. The Hon. Mr. Russell desires it to bo understood that this 'being a strictly 'business visit of tho warship, tha {.Tovernment are not entertaining the offi j cers and men in the different centres as was done on the last occasion. The object of the appointment of a Government representative is that the different proposals of tho local bodies, reception committees, and private persons, may be submitted to Admiral Jellicoe for his approval, and in order that they may be properly co-ordiuated.

Owing to the present coal shortage it will not on this ocoasion bo possible to run trips by special trainp into different parts of the country, nor will it be possible for excursions for school children to be run from the country to the different, centres, as was arranged on tha last visit of the warship.

A draft itinerary has teen prepared iind forwarded to Admiral Jellicoe, and the Government is now awaiting a cablegram from him, approving or otherwise.

Purely ceremonial-arrangements in connection with the visit are being made by Captain Hall-Thompson, C.M.G,, R.N., Adviser to tho Now Zealand Government.

It is hoped .that the above course will v>bviate entertainments clashing, and result in a weM-arranged and complete programme.