H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 128, 3 June 1919, Page 7

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND

TO BERTH AT KING'S WHARF

RECEPTION ARRANGEMENTS.

The-reception to-be accorded Admiral Lord Jellicoe and the men of H.M.S. New Zealand on arrival in Wellington was considered at a meeting convened by the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) in the Town Hall yesterday afternoon. There was an attendance of thirty citizens. "We all have the one opinion," said the Mayor in his opening remarks, "as to the desirability of suitably entertaining Admiral Jellicoe and the officers and men of the New Zealand, especially in view of the splendid record put up by the British Navy and the part taken by H.M.S. New Zealand. On behalf of the citizens of Wellington, we feel it is a, pleasure—a love—to give these men a suitable reception." He did not know if there had been any alterations in the dates of the vessel's and the Admiral's arrival, but he did hear that the ship ! would not be here until some time in I July. That, however, would not prevent arrangements being made, and he proposed to go right ahead -with the formation of committees. In welcoming the men the Navy League would play an important part. The, organisation throughout the Empire had largely help- ; ed to build up a strong Navy to fight ' a common enemy. There was a desire j that the Town Hall should be the headquarters of the committees as well as a home for the men, and he had pleai sure in saying that this would, be avail- | able for the purpose. In any other way !in which the City Council could assist I he was sure it would do so. There would I ! bs needed a certain sum of money, and he proposed to make an Appeal to citizens in the ordinary way. The first duty lie thought, would be to set up a Finance Committee, and he proposed the fol- I lowing :—Messrs. J. B. Harcourt (chair- j man), C. R. Smith, James Macintosh, K. \ Beaucha-mp, T. Forsyth, A, F. Wiren, '• C. G. Wilson, G. L. Stewart, lan Dun- : can, W. D. Stewart, J. G. Harkness, A. i R. Atkinson, Colonel A. F Roberts, and i ■ all bank managers. \ This committee was approved, as well j as the following Reception and Enter- j tainments Committee -.—Colonel' G, F. I C. Campbell, Captain- Chudley, Messrs. ! B. Keesing (chairman), J. i> Firth, R. Darroch, R. W. Shallcrass, C. W Chilman, M. A. Carr, J. B. Harcourt A. Marryatt, H. F. Wood, H, F. yon Haast, A. W Newton, Bernard Page, A. E. Whyte, Captain A. H. Munro, ! Messrs. G. L. Stewart, T. Forsyth, and j W. E. Fuller, with, the addition of the ladies' executive of the Navy League and the members of the Reserves Committee of the City Council. . On ths motion of the 'Mayor, Messrs. James M'lntosh, A. F. Wiren, and the Town Clerk were appointed treasurers, and • Messrs.' R. W. Shallcrass and Robert Darroeh secretaries. Itwas proposed, the Mayor continued, to give the sailors a luncheon, and afternoon teas and suppers, as well as en-, tertainment, would be provided in the hall, while a sports meeting would be held on one of the reserves. A suggestion had been made that the men should be given a free run of the tramcars, but this would be impossible. The City Council jWould endeavour to put on a special number of observation cars for the sailors. Entertainment would be left in the hands of the committee, but in connection with the part to be taken' by the children he thought the school authorities should bo asked- to organise. For the children it would be a time to remember all their lives. Mr. R. Darroeh, referring to the last visit of the New Zealand and the part j taken by the children on that occasion, i said that interest this time would be J even greater now that the New Zealand was an historical ship. He urged that arrangements should be made to provide j rest places for children coming from country districts, and suggested one of j the wharf sheds as suitable. ! Mr. J. G. Harkness, Chairman of the Harbour Board, announced that H.M.S. New-Zealand would berth at the outer i tee of the King's Wharf, and that the sheds on that wharf would be available for the children. The children would be close to the ship, and would be able to go straight on board the vessel from there. (Applause.) ' . . Mrs. Darling intimated that impromatu dances would be held in the Town Hall, and it was proposed to entertain tlie m&n on the lines of a club, similar to the Soldiers' Club. The Mayor said that it was also intended to holdi a ball, arrangements for which would be left to the committee. One of the most important features oi the reception, stated Mr. Keesing, would be tihe welcome in the harbour, and it waa proposed that all the small boats available- should meet the New Zealand as she came into the harbour. "We want the men to come ashore affcen that to areal good luncheon," he continued. "The idea is that after the big luncheon the ladies will take charge of'the Town Hall and institute a Naval Club." In connection with the sports gathering, Captain Hali-Thompson had. mentioned' that a football match might be arranged. The .ship, he believed, had a good soccer team, and a match with a local representative team might be arranged. The question of private entertainment was suggested by several present, and citizens desirous of entertaining some of the men a.t their homes are to be asked to .forward their names to tha committee. "There is nothing more acceptable to sailors as a little home attention; it would mean a good deal to the wen, and would keep them out of- undesirable i places," remarked Captain Chudley. j In conclusion, the Mayor said: "I am j sure Wellington will rise" to the occasion, ■ and that there will be no slackness in J hospitably entertaining the men. i