ADMIRAL JELLICOE’S VISIT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2018, 21 August 1919, Page 3

ADMIRAL JELLICOE’S VISIT.

ARRIVAL OF H.M.S. NEW

ZEALAND,

Wellington, Yesterday

H.M.S. New Zealand, bringing Admiral Lord Jellicoe of Scapa on his official visit to the Dominion on behalf of the Admiralty, arrived in harbour this morning, and berthed al Queen’s Wharf soon after 9 o’clock.

A hank of fog screened the Heads early this morning, hut as the sunlight became brighter the mist thinned, and, about 7.30 n.ra. the faint oultine of the ship Could be seen as she steamed very slowly into the entrance to Port Nicholson. The foreshore at Seatoun and Worsei’ Bay and the Miramay hills were plentifully sprinkled with sightseers.

She made a great spectacle for the thousands of people lining the waterfront at Oriental Bay and thronging the outer wharves of the harbour proper. There was a brave display of bunting among the shipping, in port, and from the buildings. The New Zealand was tied up at the Queen’s Wharf at 9.45 a.m.

While the work of berthing was in progress, the battleship’s hand played selections of, music, which, blending with the cheering of the hundreds of school children and citizens, added much to the festive .spirit.

As Lord Jellicoe andJiis stuff appeared at the head of the gangway, he was welcomed with prolonged cheering, which did not diminish when the Admiral stood at the salute, as the bugles sounded the “General Salufe.”. Having inspected the guard of honour formed by the sth

(Wellington) Regiment, Lord Jellicoe drove down the Queen's wharf ea route to Government House. Seldom has AVellington given a more enthusiastic reception, and ns the car passed down a lane formed by densely packed masses of men, women and children, the wharves rang with hearty and prolonged cheering. Arches of (lowers canopied the way, and the ear containing the Admiral was stormed with a hail of confetti and laurel leaves. “Your Deeds Shall Live in Our Memory for Ever,’’ exhibited in large lettering on a streamer posted prominently along (he Oriental Bay Parade, with two other streamers hearing the inscriptions, “Welcome to the Men of the .Navy’’ and “Young New Zealand Greets and Thanks You," formed a fitting expression of the school children's appreciation of the British Navy's wonderful achievement in the great European war. The children's main hope on the eve of the battleship's arrival was for a tine day'—in whieh ease a holiday was to he granted —and with weather conditions such as prevailed, their hope was realised. By eongregating in thousands along the waterfront, they did full justice to the occasion. Every school of Greater Wellington wa> there, and, being distributed along the waterfront from Point Jerningham around Oriental Bay to the Taranaki Street Wharf, presented an imposing, spectacle; but even more so when, as the vessel slowly steamed up to the wharf, the children waved Hags and cheered heartdy, and sang patriotic songs. The enthusiasm was continued until the-’battleship berthed, when t,he children set out for more suited points of vantage to greet the officers and men on,landing. This display by the schools formed a lilting prelude to ihe olfieial reception —and to the scholars will long be remembered us-a memorable event.

Shortly alter 10 o’clock Lord Jellicoe landed, a salute ol' 1!) gams being tired from the shore batteries, and.paid an udieia! call on the Gov-ornor-General. At 11 a.in. the Go-venior-Oieneral returned the Admiral’s call, a salute of 19 guns being lired on lids occasion by H.M.S. New Zealand. Official calls were also paid during the morning by Major-General Sir Alfred h’obin (Commandant of the Forces), by the Prime Minister (Mr Massey) and Sir Joseph A\ a rd, and by the .Mayor of the City. Later in the morning a representative- detachment of officers and men from the New Zealand, about 250 in number, marched from the wharf, along Willis Street, Manners Street, and by Cuba Street to the Town Hall, being cheered lustily as they swung smartly hy the spec!aim's.

Subsequently 1-ovcl Jellimm proceeded by the same roulo by motor cur, find was given a demonstrative reception at various points, ihe enthusiasm at the Town Hall, where a civic reception w.asJyehl at noon, was such as is seldom shown by a New Zealand crowd.

Lord Jellicoo has accepted the invitation of ihe municipality to he the guest at a civic luncheon in the Town Hall on Friday.