H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND
A RED-LETTER DAY
SCHOOL CHILDREN ON WARSHIP Glorious weather favoured the visit of the school children to H.M.S. New Zealand yesterday afternoon. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.lll. long well-ordered lines of school children trooped from all points of the compass to 11.M.5. Now Zealand, and onco tho system was in working order there was 110 confusion, no uuduo hurrying of tho children and 110 disappointments. Tho only "fly in the nmber" was due to a slight relaxation 011 tho part of tlie controlling authorities, who allowed a number of mothers lo pass in, when they had been informed half a dozeh times that 110 adult visitors would bo allowed 011 board. That ono little mistake—made in all kindness of heartthreatened at one stage to block progress, but the danger was seen in time, and the game went merrily forward. The modus operandi followed was for each school—whose arrival at tho wharf was timed—should pass in through tho gates, sweep round H shed (berth No. 1, south), and then proceed up the after gangway of the warship in charge of their teachers and school committeemen. On board was a numerous "watch" employed to shepherd tho children over a certain route throughout tho ship. Here and there there would be a -pause, whilst some object wa<r fully explained to groups of children, then away tliay went hand-in-hand, as merry as crickets, joking with tho sailors, gasping at the sizo of the great dumb guns glaring south and north with their fearsome Maori warrior plugs, and missing very little of what, was to be seen. As the result of organisation tho children were able to get through tho ship in about 25 minutes. They descended by tho forward gangway, and passed through H shed, where each child received a packet of sweets and a drink of ginger-beer or raspberry syrup, and so off the wharf, still in the same order and back to school for dismissal. A pleasing .feature of the turn-out was tho colours of the school which each boy and girl sported either on the breast or shoulder (or both). The children were well behaved, and thoroughly enjoyed their unique and memorable experience. Tlie official tally of the number of school children who visited the NewZealand yesterday wa6 6855. When the authorities sought endorsement of their figures from those keeping a similar tally in "H" shed, where the sweets and soft drinks were handed out, it was found that the totals did not by wis means agree, for although only 6835 children wero recorded as belonging to the schools, tho number who took bags of sweets was 7COO. This discrepancy was ultimately accounted for by the number of children who went to tho wharf And warship with their parents, and who partook of the hospitality of the, Citizens' Committee without being recorded as official school visitors to tho New Zealand.
Mr. W. Foster, chairman of the Headmasters' Association, who organised the children for the outing, desires to express his thanks to the Ladies' Auxiliury of the Navy League, under Mrs. Phillips Turner, who rendered valuable assistance in "K" shed throughout the afternoon. MERCHANT SERVICE GUILD'S VISIT. ADMIRAL SPEAKS OP "A COED OP . SYMPATHY." About fifty members of the Merchant Service Guild were received by Admiral Viscount Jellicoe in his cabin on board H.M.S. New Zealand yesterday morning, The Admiral spoke feelingly of the connection between the Navy and the Mercantile marine, and expressed the opinion that had it not been for the valuable services rondercd by the men of the mercantile marine the war would not have been won. Ho felt thero was n cord of sympathy between the two services, especially with him, as his father had been a captain in the merchant service. With tlio seeking of local knowledge of the New Zealand coast ho would be pleased to avail himself of the services of the guild if it was found necessary. In reply, the secretary of the guild mentioned that before coming on board 'ho had read to tho members present the speech niade by Lord Jellicoe at the annual meeting of the Imperial Guild in 191S, nnd the fact of having travelled from London to Liverpool on that occasion would go a long way to create that good feeling between tho two sorvices. Before leaving tho ship Lord Jellicoe handed to the secretary a signed photograph of himself. After the secretary had thanked him for his. courtesy, tho members were shown around the ship. INDUSTRIES' COMMITTEE ABOARD. The members of the Parliamentary Industries' Committee, before formally disbanding, visited ILM.S. New Zealand yesterday morning, arrangements to that end being made at short notico bv tho Mayor (who is a member of tho committee) and the Town Clerk. Some members of tho City Council were also present, as was also Mr. B. Kane, Clerk of Parliament. The party was received by Commander who showed them most of the objects of interest on the big ship, including a display of mechanism for loading nnd firing tho big gun 9; how the ammunition is brought up froift below, and how the noxious gases from the discharged ' gun 1 aro expelled from the armoured turret; and how the guns ran bo fired in unison or independently from the main fire control. Aji interesting exhibit was the gyro compass, which is impervious to metallic influence. Towards tho end of the enjoyable tour Caplain Leggntt took over the charge of tho party, aud lucidly explained many features that are, as a rule a closed book to landsmen. ■ Finally, the party partook of Captain Legatt's hospitality,'over which mutual compliments were interchanged. SWIMMING SPORTS. GATHERING AT TEPID BATHS. Tho swimming sports arranged by the Kntcrtainment Committee were tarried out bv tho officers of the Wollingtoh Swimming Centre' at the Boys' Institute Tepid Baths last evening, 111 the presence of a fair gathering of spectators. Between thirty and forty men and officers, under Lieutenant B. L. B Cunliffo, congested llie various events, which tho men thoroughly enjoyed. Tho officials of the meeting were Messrs. A. A. Sommerville, 1\ Wilton, and G. Sadd.
The following are the results of the various events:-- :):> l-,lyds.— lirst heat: Kilgar, 1; Robinson. 2. Time, 25 4-ssec. Second heat: Hurray, 1; Esrolt, 2. Time, 21 3-ssdc. Third heal: Williams, 1; Shephnrd, 2. Time. 211 Msec-. Final: Murray, 1; Shephard, 2. Time, 23sec. liliS-Syds.—Greemvnrd, ] :Eriggs, 2. Time, (15 1-ssec.
Diving.—Midshipman Stockcr, 1; lieutenant Rus-'sell. 2.
33 J-a.vds. (Hoys' Institute).—Tarrant, 1: Anderson. 2. " Time. 20 l-Ssee. Plunge.—Stooker, 1; M'Call, Distance, 3(ifl. Relay Race, 133 l-Byds.—Anderson's team. 1. Time. 8S l-ssec.
lOOvds. Scratch Knee.—Blocker, 1; Russell. 2. Time, 01 l-53ec. Polo Match (Sailors v. Boys' Institute Team).—Tllis proved a very interesting and keenly-contested event, in which the visitors proved themselves to he quite capable players. The game ended in a win for the institute by one goal to nil. Mr. G. Sadd controlled the game.
THE WARSHIP'S ORCHESTRA, CONCERT AT TiTE Y.M.C.A. ■ 11.M.5. New Zealand not only possesses a serviceable military band, but a very excellent orchestra of some twenty-four pieces, to hoar which sonfe _ hundreds of people packed themselves into the restricted area of the entrance lobby to the Y.M.C.A. last evening. It was a n pity that the orchestra, was not accommodated in a more spacious hall, both for tho Hiko of (lie performance and the many who could not obtain admission. It will be unfortunate if an opportunity does not present itself for vlie 'orchestra to be heard in the Town Hall or other large ball before tho warship leaves port. The programme was of the popular variety-bright, melodious music of a catchy order, so dear to I ho ear and heart of the great ntass of Ilie public. Tt opened with the characteristic suite, "Yankiana" (Thnrban), crisply in keeping with its title. The "Clin Chin Chow" selection, with ita flavour of bizarre Orientalism, caught the fancy of the audienco, and the jazz at-
wc;l iiug of "Tlie Sweetest Girl in Maryland" also act the feet tapping and bodies swaying with its haunting rliytiuii. 'i'lie valto, "Por Valour" (Aruclitfe) brought out tlia strength of the string section nicely. The most pretentious selection on tho programme was a long selection of airs from Edward German's opera, "Alorrie England," which includes sonw blithesome uanco movements.- and th.it lino baritone solo, "Tho Yeomen of lii-'g-land." Tim selection was played wu,i admirable light ami shade, anil earned an ovation. Jll softer mood was the niorcoau " (Jn i'eu d'Amour," which has a melodic charm not to bo resisted, a brig-lit fantasia on "Soldier lio.v" (Hamburg), one of the later musical comedies, was veined with lively melodies, and iinally the three "itonry Vlil" dances ot touward German. which havo all tho aroma ol' medieval tihiglaud, were delightiylly played. Such was' tho applause tnat tho orchestra responded with tho popular "Missouri'' waltz, now impassible, to avoid. Tlie orchestra was skilfully conducted by Mr. A. l'ragnell, K.M. Variety was lent the concert by vocal solos by Miss Jennings, whoso, pretty soprano voice is illuminated by intellectual understanding. Miss Jennings 6ang ''Lovo's Garden ot Hoses,' J "When *song is Sweet," "Through tuo Shadows iu Your Heart," and "String of Pearls." At the conclusion of the coucsrt the orchestra was thanked lor the musical treat it had afforded, and a light supper was proffered tho visiting musiciaus.
THE CHRISTCHURCH PROGRAMME, EIGHT DAYS OF FESTIVITIES. H.M.S. New Zealand will, leave Wellington on Sunday afternoon next, and will arrive.- atLyttellon at about 8 o'clock on Monday morning. The following outline of the official programme of events has been decided upon
Monday, September I.—Arrive atLyttelton. Official calls of Mayor of Lytteltou and members of tho Lyttelton Harbour Board. ■ Inspect building of British Missions to Seamen. Civic reception at Clirictehurch. Tuesday, September 2 - Citizens' Ball, ChristchuriSh. Wednesday, September 3—Colonial Institute luncheon. Navy League function in the evening. Thursday, September 4.—Christchurch Club ball Friday, SeDtember s.—Ladies' Assembly ball. Saturday, September 6.—Laying of the foundation-stone of the Returned Soldiers' Institute. Trotting Club's meeting in the afternoon. Savage Club's korero in tho evening. Sunday, September 7.—Presentation of flag at Christchurch Cathedral. Monday. September B.—Canterbury Club ball. GENERAL ITEMS. NO VISITORS TO-DAY. H.M.S. New Zealand will be closed for public -inspection to-day. The vessel will be open to thft public again on Thursday and Saturday between the hours of 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. THOUGHTFUL SCHOOL CHILDREN. One of the prettiest acts in connection with the visit of the school children to H.M.S'. New Zealand was the profusion of gifts in the form of cakes, sweets, flowers, etc,, which tlie children took with them for presentation' to the sailors on board. The sentiment that lay behind tho act was greatly appreciated by tho men, wiio showed their appreciation by being extraordinarily obliging and forbearing with the children, presumably actuated by tho thought that one good tuin deserves another. A NAVAL JOKE. "Oh, look at that funny fat man," shrieked a number of sohool children as they opened out tho quarter-deck yesterday Afternoon. Tho sight was sufficiently ludicrous to mako adults shake with laughter. As it happens, it was not a man at all, but the puffed-out jjnsglc-eyed semblance of one, made by filling a complete diver's dress with air. Tiio right bund was tied at the salute, whilst the dropsical left arm waggled about aimlessly in tho breeze, sometimes in a manner so human that somo of the smaller children drew away from the "pneumatic diver" as they scampered post the apparition The old naval ioke did hone6t work throughout the afternoon.
The Wellington Patriotic Society's baud played a programme of music diir--I]}g. the time the school* children were visiting the New Zealand yesterday-after-noon. Admiral .Tellicoe, officers of 'his staff, and officers of tho ship's company of tho New Zealand wero entertained at dinner by the Wellington Club last evening.
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Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 283, 26 August 1919, Page 6
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1,973H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 283, 26 August 1919, Page 6
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