H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 71, 1 April 1913, Page 5

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

ARRIVAL AT MELBOURNE.

GREATEST FIGHTING VESSEL EVER CROSSED THE LINE.

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) Melbourne, .March 31. H.M.S. New Zealand reports all well. Her arrival created much interest, and many small craft went out and hovered round the visitor. The destroyers Paramatta, Yana and Warrogo met her ten miles down Hobson’s Bay and dipped their ila^s. The Naval Board and the officers of the Australia warship Melbourne went aboard early. The decks bore an impressive assemblage of naval men. The coaling of the New Zealand begins to-morrow, and will occupy three days. The festivities will take place on Friday. The New Zealand steamed from Durban in sixteen days, at an average speed of 16 knots an hour. This is a record for that route. WELCOME SIGNALS.

(Received 8.20 a.in.) Melbourne, April 1. The newspapers refer to the New Zealand as the greatest fighting vessel that ever crossed the Line. She welcomed the destroyers with the signal : “Thank you for coming to meet ns.” The destroyers replied: “Glad to do so.’ ’ Immediately on anchoring calls were exchanged between the captains of tho New Zealand and the Melbourne. Captain Halsey, of tho New Zealand, also visited Rear-Admiral Cresswell, of the Tudor.