THE RISING SUN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 100, 5 January 1912, Page 8

THE RISING SUN.

JAPANESE WARSHIPS IN THE WAITEMATA. Auckland, January 3. It is several years since the fia« of the Rising Sun has been seen in the Waitemata, the last' occasion being the visit of part of the training squadron which visited Australasian water under tin' harge of Admiral Kamimura. _ '1 '"■ Aso and Soya, which arrived in ort yesterday, are useful-looking era it for an argument—more useful by a good deal in the skilful hands of their I present owners than when they sailed' under the black eagle of Russia,'for they are equipped with a very different armament to what they po'ssessed prior to the Russo-Japanese war. They are both ships with a a warlike history, though unfortunate so far as their record is concerned, for their fighing part in that desperate business ended unheroieally in capture by the victorious Jap, whose'flag now flies over their sterns.

The larger of the two, the Aso, of 7SOO tons, was originally the Bayan, captured during the 'investment of Dalny; wliile the other, now named Soya, is the Russian cruiser Variag, which liiet an inglorious fate at Chemulpo Bay in the early days of the naval operations off the Oorean coast, by being stranded in a sinking condition after bombardment by the .laps, who subsequently raised and refitted her. 'I lie two vessels would now be able to give a tolerable account of themselves if called upon to bare their teeth, while* in the matter of speed they arc also greyhounds, each being able to steam about 23 knots. | Upon boarding the latter vessel, oije is struck at once with the trim and workmanlike appearance of both ship and crew, which numbers over. .700 men all told, the two ships of the squadron carrying a complement of about 1400 officers and men Everywhere on deck and i 'tween decks is noticeable the quiet orderliness and businesslike efl'cctivcness for wliii h the Japanese have become famous. Bear-Admiral Kato is in command of the squadron, ami will keep his ships at rest in Auckland harbor about a week j before sailing for Sydney. The warships! are due back in Japan about -March. j VISITORS KEEN ON POSTCARDS. -Auckland, January .1. , , Many trim and neat Japanese sailors - oil the training-ships Aso and Soya were, in town to-day, their appearance creat- : ing much interest. Several sailors did . a brisk business 1 in Victoria Arcade sell- • ing coins and curios from Japan. The visitors were keen purchasers of -postcards of New Zealand scenery and Maori studies.