LIEUT. T. E. Y. SEDDON’S EXPERIENCES.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 April 1917, Page 4

LIEUT. T. E. Y. SEDDON’S EXPERIENCES.

Aboard the “ Lion ” and the ‘ New Zealand.”

VII. The ran oat to the Firth of Forth t jok no time S)cn there loomed abend the never-to-be-forgo' ten sight of the Forth bridge, with it* tremendoas spans and arches, and away np thj Firth were the Cruisers—all in line, ready to come out should the Navy’s supremacy be challenged. IVe got on board a launch, and plied oar guide with questions about the ships that guard our shores. As we drew nearer the outlines of the Cruisers showed np bigger and larger, and then we headed for the flag ship. “ Thai’s the Lion,” said our guide, and it took some seconds for the situation to sink into my brain. We were really with the ships that had fought at Jaflaud, and we were approaching the ship from which was controlled the battle as this cruiser-flaet hung on to the Germans who had dared to “ come out.” These were the ships, that smaller in number, almost held the feeing Germans loDg enough for the Grand Fleet to come np. It seemed like a dream. I‘There’s the Admiral,” said the guide, aud there at ths top of the gang-way was Sir David Beatty himself. We were no time in getting off the launch and up those stairs. The Admiral greeted us all. He is exadly like his photograph. His hat was worn with a Blant almost at an angle. His uniform was just the Service oue, with a wonderful collection of ribboas, and there was that in his smile—a something that suggested “a good fellow.” His glance was keen aud penetrating, and I should say his perception was remarkably keen. Ha affably invited us to his oabia—-a large spaoious

room fall of interesting soaveairs of the battles the fleet had recently been engaged in—and here he hospitably treated ua. Hia staff officer showed me pieces of shell and bits of plate 'taken off the “Lion” when she bad been bit and then he showed me the ship at work. Everybody was working strenuously. The officers were perfecting their gunnery; everybody was doing something and yet there was that order and system that there was no suggestion of bnstle. The ship was smoothly working as if no suoh thing as a war were existing, and yet every piece of machinery, every gun, every man was all ready and alert. Reluctantly we left the “ Lion.” Everyone wished the Admiral lack, and I went away delighted at the honour I had conferred on me of meeting Sir David Beatty, aud for having trod the deok of the Lion.” >

The autograph I secured of the Admiral was sent to me after he had taken the higher command on board the “ Iron Duke.” I trust the sohool children will appreciate the signature of our hero Admiral sent to them from the Flagship at a time in the history of the Empire when the very existence of that Empire may be said to depend on the vigilance, the alertness, the pluck and dariDg of our fleet. We cruised round the rest of the fleet, and then went to the docks to see the “ New Zealand,” the Dominion’s gift ship. Sir Joseph Ward, of course, was naturally keen to hear how our representative had behaved in the engagements, and from the opinion of the experts we heard with very great satisfaction how gallantly she had engaged her adversaries. All credit is given to her for settling the “ Blucher.” To onr regret we found all the officers and men away from the ship. It was a pity but our luck was out as far as the “New Zealand ” was concerned.

The men, I am told, dauca Maori Hakas with great vim and expression, and have the greatest faith in their Maori mascottes, the tattooed heads of chiefs that adorn the ship. Scraps of Maori phrases and war songs are oaiveff in different places. What 1 was proadast to notice was on one of the turrets emblazoned the words “Jutland,” “Heliogoland,” “ Dogger Bank.” Yes. in those three engagements the “ New Zealand ” has taken her part proudly and well, and bore the Dominion’s name right in the fore front of the Nation’s battles. In one of the officers’ rooms I saw a obart showing the cruises of the New Zealand, since the war began. The chart has been the work of Prince Battenburg, who was also on the ship when she sailed the Southern Seas. The “New Zealand” has not been mating sinoe war broke out, and it would gladden the heart of any New Zealander to hear recounted the pier.-

did work this ship has done—this Bbip which we gave, and on which the Dominion’s name has been bestowed. The rest of the inspection consisted in looking at the latest type of cruiser in dock, and inspecting the yards. What has been done there is simply marvellous. A whole Sound has been practically changed and transformed into a marvellous harbor and port for our fighting ships. We went through Inverkeithy to go back to E jinburgb, and wondered as we went that in suoh a short time such changes could be wrought. It was indeed a red letter day in our lives. Once back at Edinburgh we sought to complete the reet of the day sight-

seemg. We hurried off to see St Giles’, whore John Knox preached. The story ao amoeing to echool-boys about Jennie Geddes throwing the hassock at his head occurred to me, and I wondered as I walked through the cold Cathedral in wbat bench the militant Jennie sat! Jnst outside is the “Heart of Midloathian” near the place where Effis Deans was imprisoned that time Jennie, her sister, loyal and true, sought a pardon in England. There really is a heart—-a few colored stones in the cobbles in the form of a heart. We did not delay more, for we wanted ere it grew dark to see Roslyn Church which was many miles away.

We got to the finest church in Scotland just as the light was failing, but making haste we were sood inside eajoyiog the glories of this old church. It is difficult to describe the Roslyn church, its beauty not being in the height of its pillars or the pretensions of its coloured windows. It has a charm all its own. The carving in it is the roost interesting feature of the chureh—that and the symmetry of its lines, and the general artistic architecture.

The pillars are wonderfully carved. One pillir was done by an apprentice when the master mason was away on the Continent learning how to do that particular design. The infuriated master returned and the apprentice paid the supreme penalty. This episode formed oue of the subjects of the oarver’s art, incidents of whioh are seen on ths walls. The ceilings are beautifully carved with roses. For centuries the Sinclair family baried their dead in the crypt under the flag-stones, but now the family use a vault in the church yard. There is a legend that when one of the family is to die, a rose tinted light creeps into the ohuroh at nightfall and shortly afterwards death claims its viotim. Roslyn Chapel was certainly the most beautiful chureh I have ever seen. Its world famous carving was the most remarkable feature of a most artistic bit of Norman architecture. Not far off was Roslyn Castle. The Castle is in a sad state of disrepair. Its vaults were used years ago as a prison for our French prisoners. It was, when we saw it, afar off and just an interesting relic. We got baok late for dinner, said onr good-byes to Edinburgh and the warm hearted friends we had met, and made re&dy for Glasgow. (To be continued).