ARRIVAL OF BRITISH FLEET.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 April 1924, Page 3

ARRIVAL OF BRITISH FLEET.

[by TELEGRAPH TER TRESS ASSOCIATION.]

AT WELLINGTON TO-DAY

WELLINGTON. April 23

The British Squadron is tine at Wellington at 9.30 a.m., to-morrow, instead of 2.30 p.nt., as at first intended. The arrival is being expedited because of the strike. Tlie vessels will he met at tho Heads by the Government steamer Tutanekai, with tho Prime Alini.ster. and colleagues, and the Naval and Afilifjarv Departmental officers on board.

The ships berth at 1 I a.m., after which the usual official calls will he paid and returned. THE SQUADRON ARRIVES. WELLINGTON, April 24. The special service squadron arrived ■ this morning punctually to time and amidst n scone of enthusiasm, which was modified to a certain extent by the conditions obviously arising from the railway trouble. The night had been dark and rainy hut early this morning the clouds began to lift and the southerly gale died awav. People began to make for points of vantage along the harbour front, l ight to the Heads whither many reappeared with tlie idea of getting the earliest view of tlie warships Tlie ferry boats took crowds down the harbour and a number of yachts and motor laiftnches wenft d|own, each with its' quota, of people to welcome tlie visitors. Patches of colour ashore here and tlier devoted the welcoming hoists of hunting. The Government steamer Tu. tanckai carried a. large ■ official party, including the Prime Minister, members of the Cabinet and Parliament, also the heads of various Department. She reached the heads at about 9.15 and soon after the warships’ grey .shapes showed up out of the mist and came slowly nearer till they got within the heads. Moving dead slow in line ahead, they passed up the liarhour, the Hood leading, the Repulse following ami the Adelaide bringing up the rear. As they passed the men lined the rail of each warship, tho white clad seamen forward, the mar- , iocs aft. and tho ..'and of eaeli ship on ( the quarter-deck playing lively martial ail’s, which floated across the wa-

or to those on lhe waiting steamer

Kecping strictly to the stations maintained throughout the voyage the ships proceeded up toward the city, ferry boats and other craft joining on either hide of’ Gorninghnm Point, wilt’ll tie: pilots bordered the warships to take them to their berths. As Lamblon Harbour opened out the keenest of a southerly was lost, and in the bright sunshine, which had dispelled the gloomy clouds for the [last hall hour, the scene cocaine animated. People could he heard raising cheers ot welcome ashore. 'I he roads along the waterfront were lined with motor cars and people, '■ bile every hill had its i oiiiplimenk oi' : ighUeers. In the city big lie flagged buildings presented an unusual spectacle. Their roofs wore black with people waving Hags and coloured favours. When the warships appeared round Keiningliam, the Chatham, at Clyde Quay, fired the salute, which was returned by the Hood'. All the wharves carried large crowds of people, watching the huge warcraft as they slowly made for their berths at the new Pipitea wharf. The berthing of such huge vessels was a ticklish job but the British seamen are used to these and the feat was carried out without delay or incident. Official calls fill up the rest of the day.