OUR DREADNOUGHT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 288, 28 April 1913, Page 5

OUR DREADNOUGHT.

WELLINGTON VISITORS. Per Press Association. Wellington, Saturday. The official record shows that 98,170 people visited 11.M.5. New Zealand during her stay in Wellington, the largest number being 19,840 on Sunday last. THE RAILWAY ARRANGEMENTS. LEAVING FOR GISBORNE. Napier, Saturday. Over eight thousand people travelled by rail to Napier yesterday to view the warship, the traffic being handled by the authorities expeditiously and without mishap. Captain Halsey was so pleased with the whole of the arrangements that he issued a special invitation to the whole committee to visit the vessel. The cruiser leaves at seven to-night for Gisbornc. lIAKAS. POIS, AND SONGWELCOME BY* MAORI CONTINGENT. * Napier, April 25; The Maori welcome was an impressive and inspiring spectacle.. About 100\. Maoris, men and women, made the journey, and on arriving at H.M.S. New Zealand were met by Captain Halsey. The natives then formed up and gave their weird dances and songs of welcome, which were followed with great interest by the crew. Their haka was splendidly done, and thoroughly' deserved the hearty applause which followed. Then* Mohi Ahitihikoia stepped forward and presented Captain Halsey with two valuable Maori mats "from the natives of Hawko's Bay," and later he handed him an attractive illuminated address. Ab. each present was handed the 1 captain the surrounding Maoris broke off into a wild haka. CAPTAIN HALSEY IN REPLY. Captain Halsey said it gave him great pleasure to receive the Maori representatives, and he thanked them for their handsome gifts, which would* be greatly treasured by him and by the ship's company. The Maoris were upholding t,he traditions of the Empire to which they' all belonged. He stated that King Gesrge had come on board the H.M.S. New Zealand the day before the vessel left for the Dominion, and when he {the speaker) returned to the Old Country he would: have much pleasure in informing his Majesty that wherever he had been ;n- ■■■ preventatives of the Maori race had come on board and expressed the utmost loyalty to their King and to the Empire.. He asked them to have a loot at the fjhip.-and get an idea of what the seapowev of thq Empire was like, an* in doing so did not lose sight of the fact that the New Zealand was only one of the many such warships in the' British Navy. He congratulated the Maoris and the people of New Zealand on their gift to the Motherland, and pointed out that they must always "be strong enough to meet and defeat any possible enemy ' the Empire might have. He thanked .them again for their visit and welcome to Napier, and in conclusion wished the; Maori race health, wealth,-and prosperity. The visiting natives jrere then placed in the charge of a number of sailors, and were shown over the entire warship. MARCH BY SEAMEN AND MAORIS. About 200 seainen and Maoris landed at the breakwater about 11.30, and were then formed into processional line, headed by the Pipe, City and ship's bands, and tunrched to town. They were welt received on the way up, the spectator* frequently cheering the men. The procession was followed by thousands of spectators and numerous motor-cars. After marching through Hastings street the men were taken to the Drill Hall, where the citizens' committee entertained them, the veterans, and many others at luncheon. About 400 werp present, and an excellent repast was provided. The visiting seamen appeared to be quite at home, and made the most of i their opportunities. <\