MONARCHS OF THE BRITISH FLEET.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2725, 26 April 1924, Page 3

MONARCHS OF THE BRITISH FLEET.

SQUADRON" ARRIVES IN WELLINGTON. MIGHTY HOOD LEADS THE WAY THOUSANDS OF VISITORS. Wellington, Last Night. The special service squadron arrived on Thursday morning punctually to tune and amidst a scene of enthusiasm, modified in extent by conditions obviously arising from the railway troubles, ended its long journey at eleven o’clock. The night had been dark and raining, but in the early morning the clouds began to lift and the southerly gale died away. People began to make for points of vantage along the harbour front right to the Heads, whither many repaired with the idea of getting the earliest view of the warships.

The ferry boats took crowds down the harbour and a number of yachts and motor launches went down each with its quota of people, to welcome the visitors. -Patches of colour ashore here and there denoted welcoming hoists of bunting. The Government steamer Tutanekai carried a. large official party, including the Prime Minister, members of Cabinet and Parliament, also the heads of various departments. She reached the heads at a bout 9.15 a.m. and soon after three grey shapes showed up out of the mist and came slowly nearer till they got within the heads. Moving dead slow in line the Hood leading the Repulse following and the Adelaide bringing up the rear. As they passed, the men lined the rail of each of the warships, the whiteclad seamen forward, the marines aft, and the band of each ship on the quarter-deck, playing lively martial airs, which floated across the water to those on the waiting steamer. Keeping strictly to the stations they had maintained throughout the voyage, the ships proceeded up towards the city, ferry boats and other craft joining on either side. Olf Jernigham Point, the pilots boarded the warships to take them to their berths. The keenness of the southerly was lost and in bright sunshine which had dispelled the gloomy ciouds for the past half-hour, the scene became animated. People could be heard raising cheers of weL come ashore. The roads along the waterfront were lined with motor-

cars and people, while every till had its complement of sightseers in . the city, the big beilagged buildings presented an unusual spectacle and the roofs were black with people waving dags and coloured favours. When the warships appeared around Jerniugham Point, the Chatham at Clyde Quay, iired a salute, which was returned by the Hood. All the wharves carried large crowds of people watching the huge war craft as they slowly made for their berths at the new Pipitea wharf. The two big ships were berthed at Pipitea wharf at 11.30 a.m. and the official calls were commenced. ' Tie Adelaide was berthed .at the Clyde gjuay wharf. The work of getting tie Hood and ifepulse alongside was one requiring considerable care. The ships came in under their own steam and when lifty yards olf me wharves lire snips were slopped and they men warped in. People on tne adjoining wharves had the unusual sigUt of long lines of seamen luiimg on to Uawsers tdl they made lasL when the strain was taken by

luu capstan*. ide iiivsti official caller was (Jommuuoic Beale ui lde Aew Zealand Aavy. boots College cadets pru'vnlmg a guard of donour, aiLei wincli Admiral field called on Uie Uoveiuur-Uenerui, bcoTs College ugaiu iuiiuslung a guard oX duuuur.

At one unlock ide GovernurUcaerai, viscount Jeincoe, retui'iied ide call, llie Hood men iurnnng Uie guard. Uui'iug ide real oX llie alter - nuun, calls were exchanged del ween Admiral I'ieid and llie x’riiue Minister, ide Ueneral uiiicer cuinmandlng ide iNcw Zealand Xorces and llie Harbour Board.

To-day being Auzuc Bay; Liie ofdeers and men oX Ide Hood did lillle deyond lading pail ui religious and older - ceremonies in eonneclion wild Ide day. The fipitea wharf wdere llie maiumoid Xiood and iiepuise are derided was Uu'Odged wild spectators ad morning. in Ide aXleruood do Id vessels were lin owa open Xor liispecliod, and idousands oX visitors were sdowa over Ide vessels. lde men aboard are very courteous and evidently take pieusuradie pride iu tdeir work on tde Xiepuise, wined das wod many valuable prizes in tiie annual competitions Xor tue iirst battle squadron including a silver cock. These troubles were proudly displayed. Arrangements dave been made Xor Idousands oX school children to visit the vessel, it is said that even tde country children will not be disappointed leaving one to guess how it is to be accomplished.