OUR DREADNOUGHT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 316, 30 May 1913, Page 5

OUR DREADNOUGHT

DISAPPOINTMENT IN TIMARU. By Telegraph—Press Association. Timaru,. Last Night. A very fine morning induced large numbers of country people to visit Thnaru to-day to inspect the battleship, four special trains from Urari, Fairlie, and Waimate (2), bringing big loads. Unfortunately a heavy squall in the roadstead where the New Zealaud was anchored, about 2 miles out, was too big to allow the Government steamers or anything else except small launches, to lie alongside. Consequently the school children could not be put aboard. They were, however, taken in parties round the ship, and given a good, close view of her. The Corinna and five smaller steamers, and some of the bigger fishing launches, busily plied all day from 10 a.m. te 4 p.m. taking parties to see the ship and thousands must have gone. A few—very few—got aboard with difficulty from (small (launches, : &h<t' 'lliad' greater dili'iculty in getting off again. An official party of between thirty and forty went off in the small steamer Cygnet at 8.30, accompanied by a party of Maoris. The Mayor 7 formally welcomed Captain Halsey and the officers and men to Timaru, and the welcome was .acknowledged. Henere Kaihu, Mrs. Rickus; and others made presents to Captab,Halsey, and Kaihu spoke a welcome in Maori'. In the course of his remarks he contrasted the New Zealand'with the-na-tive canoe in which he had made trips up and down the coast, and said that it was remarkable the , great' change that had come, about in : these few years. Mrs. Rickus added a welcome on behalf of the Maori women. Captain, Halsey made a suitable reply, Elaborate preparations had been made for luncheons to the officers and men, and a big procession and naval men's sports in connection with the presentation of a silk ensign, 24ft by 12ft., and a Union Jack to match, from the women's ranch of the Navy League. To everyone's disappointment, a strong southerly breeze continued throughout the afternoon, making a choppy sea on top of a swell. Consequently Captain Halsey deemed it prudent to remain on the ship. General Godley had come down with him from Akaroa, and intended to land here and go north by the first express. At Captain Halsey's request he cancelled his engagements and attended the, lunch, and received the flags on his behalf, and the programme generally was adhered to, except the sports. The flags, whidh were enclosed in a neat oak casket, were presented by Mrs. Edgar Jones (late of Mount Nesting) President of the women's branch of the Navy League (Timaru centre) on behalf of the women of New Zealand. Mrs. Jones made a short address appropriate to the purpose, and Colonel Godley, in accepting the gift on behalf of Captain Halsey, expressed the latter's regret that he was unable to be present and his own pride in having the honour to act as a substitute in so interesting and patriotic a ceremony. But for the unfortunate squall upsetting the official arrangements, the day passed off well. It is considered that'there have never been so many people in Timaru before; certainly never so many on and about the bay. The Now Zealand left about 0.30 for Oamaru, going very slow.