H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 12, 19 May 1913, Page 5

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

VISIT TO LYTTELTON. A RECORD CROWD. [Per Press Association.] Christchurch, May 18. There was a record crowd on board the New Zealand yesterday. The tally tor tlie day was 23,904. The total to date of those who have visited the warship is 73.258. The beautiful weather experienced to-day resulted in a very large number visiting H.M.S. New Zealand, and the total for to-day was close on seven or eight thousand. A party from tin' ship consisting of 196 men from the New Zealand and several from the Pyramus, under Lieutenant Lovett Cameron, and Warrant-officer C. Legge, travelled by train to Staircase Gulley, and thoroughly enjoyed the outing. Leading seaman Nichols was descending to the railway lino, when a loose boulder struck him on the head and he sustained a serious injury. Other functions were a meet of the hounds at Aylesbury, which was attended by a number of the ship’s officers, and a visit of a squad of men to the rifle' range at Cashmere this afternoon.

Arrangements are well in train for accommodating the Dunedin children. The Prime Minister has arranged for a special train to convey them to Christchurch, and also that they will he supplied with meals iu the dining car free.

At a very largely attended and enthusiastic meeting held in the City Council Chamber this afternoon, arrangements were made for the billeting of the children from Dunedin who will visit Christchurch to inspect H.M.S. New Zealand. MODIFIED RAILWAY ARRANGEMENTS.

The District Traffic Manager at Wanganui has issued the following statement: **Xt has been ascertained that the itinerary of the battleship New Zealand cannot be altered so as to give two days at New Plymouth. Such being the case, it is found to be quite impossible for the Department to provide sufficient trains to convey all the public north thereof to the Breakwater. The siding acconiniodatin and other conveniences at New Plymouth are altogether inadequate for anything approaching the estimated traffic, and all school children and the public from . Normanby and south thereof desirous of visiting the ship will require to come to Wanganui. Holiday excursion tickets will be issued to Wanganui on June I t and 10, and special trains will be run on the latter date. The Department has very reluctantly adopted this course, but the arrangement is necessary to enable the business being dealt with satisfactorily.” THE NEW PLYMOUTH VISIT. In connection with the visit of H.M.S. New Zealand to New Plymouth the reply from Captain Halsey states that: “It is with extreme reluctance that I must say no to the urgent request of the many for our stay at New Plymouth to he prolonged, but I have two very strong reasons, which cannot be denied. They are: (1) I must have a week to coal, store, provision and overhaul engines, boilers, etc., before leaving New Zealand for my 25,000 mile voyage Home; (2) the safety of the. ship I command demands that no unnecessary risks he run, and New Plymouth is not a suitable or safe anchorage for a ship of this size.”

In a further enclosure Captain Halsey states that he proposes arriving at' New Plymouth about 9 a.m., and would he glad to receive the Mayor and Council at any time from 9.30 on. He did not propose landing any officers or men unless the weather was entirely favourable, when a few might he permitted. The anchorage being absolutely open and exposed, he would not remain at anchorage after sunset. Every effort would be made to show any visitors that could come off round the ship.