H.M.S. PIONEER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 60, 20 June 1910, Page 8

H.M.S. PIONEER.

H.M.S. Pioneer, tihrd-class cruiser, armed off New Plvmouih on Saturday morning, and was boarded shortly afterwards by the Mayor, the town clerk, and the secretary of the local branch of the Navy League (Mr. C. T. Mills). The Mayor extended a hearty welcome to the commander, officers, and men, and expressed the hope that their brief stay would prove enjoyable. On behalf of the Navy League he issued an invitation to the officers to dine at the White Hart Hotel, and also invited them to be present at a reception at the Broughamstreet Hall on Monday afternoon to meet the pioneer settlers and veterans. Captain Blunt thanked the Mayor for his kindness, but explained that he would be unable to take advantage of the invitation to' meet the veterans, as they would be leaving at 9 o'clock on Monday. He would 'be very .pleased to accept the invitation of the Navy League for that evening. Before leaving the Pioneer the commander presented to his Worship the Mayor for the museum a fine piece of kauri bark with the gum adhering to it in places quite a couple of -inches in thickness. In the afternoon T-ptain Blunt and a number of office:- v.sited the oil works of the Tarahaki Petroleum Company at M*turoa and various places of interest around the town. The officers were much interested in the fir :ig of the boilers of the .petroleum' woi'.is by means of the natural gas. Several of the man-o'-warsmen were ashore on leave, and a party fired in a triangular match with the two local volunteer corps.