From Chathams.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 January 1923, Page 4

From Chathams.

PARTY OF SCHOOL CHILDREN. [BY TRI.ECHAPn —MR PItESP. ASSOCIATION'] CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 6. A party of Chatham Islands school children, seven hoys and seven girls, arrived at Lyttelton by the Rama early this morning under the care id their teachers, for a fortnight's visit to Canterbury. None of the children have previously left the Islands and everything is new to them. They are being privately billeted, and will visit various points nl interest, including the exhibition, aerodrome, various mills and factories, under the care ol the school committees association, who arranged the visit. Air J. A. Thompson (master in charge) said the trip had been calm practically all the way, and the children were lucky in seeing three whales, a shark and two large schools of porpoises. All the children were up at 2 a.m , as soon as Akaroa Heads were, sighted, and had a clear moonlight view of the Peninsula. On entering Lyttelton the children were amazed at the si.zo of the overseas ships, and particularly a five-masted schooner and the mass of buildings. The berthing of the ferry steamere Wabine settled a long standing argument among the children as to whether it was possible to berth a vessel stefn first. The youngsters said very little, but they were very wideeyed at the railway station. Their programme will be arranged this afternoon.