NEW ZEALAND'S LAST VISIT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 277, 19 August 1919, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND'S LAST VISIT

HER PINE BATTLE RECORD. Tho first arrival of 11.M.5. New Zealand hero was on Saturday Afternoon, April 12, 1913, and few who witnessed hor entranco to Lambton Harbour on that dark, blustery day would ever forget it. She was then the most formidable fighting ship that had entered tho heads, and sinco then no warship of superior lighting power has visited tho port, so that tho Dominion's own gift ship still remains the best and biggest exhibit in war craft that has pushed her bulk through these waters. On her previous visit the vessel was met by a largo flotilla of small craft, which formed two lines to the northward of Ward Island, and after tho cruiser had passed through, they followed in processional form until the big slup dropped anchor in the stream, when they circled round her, the crowds on board cheering Captain Ilalsev and his man by way of welcome. Though it blew half a gale, and the sky was obscured by low, leaden-toned clouds, the city streets were deserted. All Wellington seemed to have gone to the waterfront to honour the stranger. Sinco thou the New Zealand has had her baptism of firo in three distinct engagements. These wore off Heligoland on August 28, 1914. when she fired 82 rounds and 2 torpedoes. Her next engagement was the famous notion at Dogger Bank, when tlm Gorman battleship Blueher was sunk, after being well perforated by tho New Zealand. Princess Royal, and Tiger, who circled round her. __ "When Bhioher struck/' says the log or 9,M.5. New Zealand, "the other enemy ships were in sight about twelve onies distant. The ship sank at 12.29 p.m. (on January 21, 1915). Blueher wns apparently the only ship which fired on the New Zealand, who was not hit throughout the engagement. The chase commenced near Dogger Bauk, and we wero 70 W.N.W. off Heligoland when the squadron retired, a distanco of over 100 "miles from, tlie commencement of the action." During that action the New Zealand attained a speed of 27 knots, and 130 shots were fired.

Tlie next engagement was the historic Battle of Jutland fought on -May 31. 1916. In this engagement the "X" turret wus struck by an 11-inch shell, but none was injured, lyrom 6to 6.40 p.m. the New Zealand was under- heavy fire, whereas her lire wns intermittent owing to the intermittent appearances of the enemy in the mist. At 8.41 p.m. the New Zealand was apparently hit under water, the shock lieing folt' everywhere on the ship. This may have been a submerged wreck or possibly tho an explosion somewhere in tlie vicinity, though at the time an unexploded torpedo was the popular explanation. No damage was discovered, and^ subsequently it was ascertained that this shock liacl been felt by every ship about this lime. The shell which hit X turret blew a hole in the deck, and completely wrecked 6ome bags and teg raclcs on the mess deck. Ono large splinter pierced the .armour deck, entered tho engineers workshop, arid shattered tho grindstone, narrowly missing several men stationed there. A shell splinter passed through tlie ensign staff, the damaged portion of which is now in. the possession of > the New Zealand Government. The second picket boat was .holed by. splinters in three places and the third cutter was mucli damaged in the bow. A shell passed through the silk Jack on the foremast, the tattered flag also now being in the Government's possession. Splinters of shell'were also picked up in the midship deck near "Q" turret and on the forecastle. The upper deckshowed signs of having been hit by splinters in many places. During the Battle of Jutland 130 rounds were fired fcv the New Zealand. 'The New Zealand also formed part ot the British fleet present at tho surrender of the German fleet at Scapa Plow on November 21, 1918.

In an advertisement appearing in this issue the president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce is recommending all business houses to close their premises to-morrow from tho hour of the arrival of the New Zealand until 2 p.m., to permit their staffs to participate m the reception.