H.M.S. CHATHAM.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 February 1922, Page 4

H.M.S. CHATHAM.

VISIT TO NEW PLYMOUTH. MARRED BY THE WEATHER CRUISER LEAVES TO-NIGHT. The visit to New Plymouth of the cruiser Chatham has so far been considerably marred by the weather. Yesterday the wind had veered round to the north and, though the Chatham rode steaily at anchor, the sea wim too rough to allow launches to make pleasure tripe out to the cruiser without an element of risk, especially ia traasferring passengers on board the Chatham. Tbt changed weather conditions were also accompanied by a falling barometer. The only trips made yesterday were those by the Harbor Board’s launch, which in the morning took out the Mayor, borough councillors, several Harbor Board members, Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., Mr. W. H. Skinner and Mr. G. E. Roper (R.S.A.), together with the harbormastei and Prues representative. In the afternoon the launch again went out with stores. The official party which went out in the morning were cordially received by Commodore Hotham and his officers. After the Mayor had introduced the members of the party, the commodore expressed his regret at the change in the weatiler and that it was imponeible to grant shore leave that day. The party were then personally conducted over the ship by the commodore, who went to great pains in explaining all details *n connection with the vessel, and a very pleasant and profitable two hours waa spent. The harbor improvement scheme and other matters in connection with the port were explained to the navigating officer by the harbonnaater (Captain Waller). All future arrangements in connection with the visit depend upon the wea* ther. If it moderates sufficiently eighty men will be granted shore leave from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. to-day, and, if 4 sufficient cars are available a motor trip'" to Inglewood will be made, followed by afternoon tea at Kawaroa Park. Sewn of the officers will be taken up to the mountain. At ha If-past eight last night the Chatham’s five searchlights were turned on for about twenty minutes. The night was fairly dark, and it was a weirdly fascinating sight to aee the long bands of light stabbing the darkness and making night temporarily into day. Fairly large crowds of people gathered at various pointe of vantage near the sea to see what is an unuji«>>l sight in these parte. If the weather allows of the original programme being adhered to, t-he Chatham will remain at Ne.v Plymouth all to-day and depart for Wanganui at 7 o’clock this evening. Later she i« to proceed to Wellington for coaling purposes. The local committee made representations to the Prime Minister, through the member for the district, with a view to berthing the Chatham, so that the public, and school children particularly, might board the vessel, ceasing discharging operations on the City of Corinth. The Prime Minister replied last night regretting the wishes of the committee could not be complied with. The ister for Defence expressed the hop* 5 that, on a future occasion arrangemente might be made to have the vessel brought alongside the wharf.

An interesting description of the Chatham, written by a Daily News reporter. who visited the cruiser yesterday, appears on page 6.