H.M.S. PHŒBE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 109, 14 May 1902, Page 2

H.M.S. PHŒBE.

PROPOSED VISIT TO NEW PLYMOUTH. The meeting called by his Worship the Mayor to consider what action should be taken in regard to the visit of the warship Phoebe was held in the Mayor's room at the Borough Council | Chambers on Monday morning There wers present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr E. Dockrill) in tho chair, Mr E. M. Smith, M.H.R-, Messrs J. Paul, J. B. Roy, W. D Webster, A. Standisb, P. Stohr, C. T. Mills, and others. The Mayor read tin telegram received on the subject, and said it was for the meeting to decide on what course it could tike in the matter of receiving and entertaining the officers and men. It would be sseu that au evening entertainment would be acceptable. Several ladies who bad i-poken to him bad expressed a wish for a d:>nco.

At this stage communications were banded in from Miss Stanford, offering her assistance if a dance was be held, and from Mrs Colonel Davies, asking to be placed on the committee if a ball was to be held. Mr Paul said it was quite clear what the wishes of the ladies were. Mr Standisb. thought it was very satisfactory, and that a committee should be set up to make all arrangements ; but he thought tbey should wire the captain of the vessel informing him of the state of the weather and suggesting a few days' postponement. Mr W. D. Webster said it would bo quite impossible to visit the vessel in any comfort in this weather. The Mayor said he had inquired of the Waitara people regarding getting the use of the boa's used for tendering the large steamers, but a big steamer was expected this w,-ek and they could not bo spaced till she .vas gone. The harbourni'inter, Cipt-io Hood, had suggested fit'.ing up the Thomas King. This would require the consent of tha Harbour Board Wid the Minister for Marine. After further discussion, it was resolved that the motion of Mr Standish, that all prwnt be a committee' with full power to act and to add to their number. The question of form in which the crew would be entertained wi s discussed, Mr Paul, while urging the postponement of the visit for finer weather, advocated a ball, as that could go on in any case, whereas a banquet would be pretty slow without the guests. On the motion of Mr Webster, it was resolved that a ball be held. It was further resolved that a t degram regarding the weather be Rent to the captain. The Mayor and Mr Standish were, on the suggestion of Mr Mills, deputed to heo the railway st:itionmaster re excursion fares from Hawera and intermediate station=, Mr King, in the absence of the chairman of the Harb ,u.Board, and Mr Bedford, Collector of OastoEis, re using the Thomas King.

In reply to the telegram sent to the captain of the Phoebe relative to the s'ate of the weather here, the Mayor received the following message: " Thanks for tel*or,>m, Hopo for more favourable wea'her to-morrow," It would seem, therefore, thai it ia not proposed to delav the departure of the vessel from Welling'on.