H.M.S. CHATHAM.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 February 1922, Page 4

H.M.S. CHATHAM.

ARRIVAL AT NEW PLYMOUTH. PROGRAMME FOR TO-DAY. H.M.S. Chatham arrived off New Plymouth at half-past four yesterday afternoon after a smart passage from Westport, which port she left at 7 o’clock on Saturday night. The cruiser was not originally expected at New Plymouth till 7 p.m., but about 3.30 p.m. watchers on the breakwater saw a long, squat vessel throwing out clouds of black smoke, approaching from the west, and an hour later the Chatham had dropped anchor half a mile off the breakwater. The Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) and the harbormaster (Captain W. Waller) went out shortly afterwards in tne Harbor Board launch on an unofficial visit and went on board, where they received a warm welcome. Later in the evening the trams were we|l patronised by people travelling to the breakwater to obtain a view of the Chatham, which was lighted up. The Chatham will be open to such of the public who make their own arrangements for the excursion out, between the hours of <1 p.m. and 5 p.m. each day; The committee in charge of arrangements deemed it inadvisable to make special arrangements for the transport of school children in view of the risk of accident. This morning the Mayor and members of the Borough Council and Harbor Board will pay an official visit to the cruiser.

Eighty men have been granted shore leave each day from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. In view of this the entertainment committees’ arrangements for to-morrow have undergone a slight change. Instead of luncheon at Kawaroa Park afternoon tea will now be provided after the men have returned from the Inglewood trip. It is proposed to take seven of the officers up to the mountain tomorrow. In this connection it is pointed out that more cars are required for the excursions.

A Masonic function and an invitation dance at the East End have been arranged for to-night, but as leave expires at 6 p.m. it is not definitely known if the men of the Chatham will be able to attend. At 8.30 to-night the Chatham will turn on her searchlights, and this, no doubt, will prove a great attraction.

The Chatham is scheduled to leave again at 7 p.m. to-morrow. The committee deputed to arrange for refreshments for the crew notify that owing to the altered arrangements the eatables asked for will not be required, as no meals ashore will be supplied to the men by the committee.