A WAR MEMORY.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1925, Page 3

A WAR MEMORY.

SOUVENIR OU THE fHUKL A souvenir of the visit of the Japanese naval squadron to New Zealand in 1023 has been received fy Mrs Massey through the Japanese Consul-General at Sydney. Mr S. Yamasaki, from ViceAdmiral S. Saito, who commanded (he squadron. The memento takes the form of a wooden cigar and cigarette Isix made from the armour hacking oi the Japanese battle cruiser. Ibuki, which was one of tin - vessels convoying the Main Roily X.Z.t.H.U. after its departure from New Zealand.

When Vice-Admiral Saito was in New Zealand the late Mr Massov recalled the historic service the Ibuki had performed, and the souvenir was torwarded to the laic Prime Minister as a result of the conversation at that time. Unfortunately Mr Massey died before the arrival of the souvenir, and it was sent to Airs Afassey. Tusule the box there is a card staling that the Ibuki was launched at Kure naval dockyard in 1907 and was scrapped in accordance with the decision of the Washington Conference. Tt mentions that the vessel performed memorable deeds in the Indian Ocean in convoying ‘' Anza during the world’s Great War, 1014-15. Also Inside the box is a silver plate saving that the souvenir is a present to Mr Afassey from Vice-Admiral Saito. and on the outside it is embossed with a silver representation of the Ibuki and the rising sun. The souvenir, for the time being, will ho exhibited in Parliament Puddings so that it may Ik- seen !>v members. ‘ Afr Yiunasaki. in the course of a letter to Airs Afassey, sympathising with her in the death of AH Afassey, says---“ft is unnecessary for me to state how this letter, arriving, as it does, so soon after the death of your husband, reawakens and intensifies the grief which I feel for his loss, and how devoutly I wish he could have been able to receive it in bis own person,”