H.M.S. PROMETHEUS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2617, 27 September 1909, Page 3

H.M.S. PROMETHEUS.

VISIT TO GISBORNE

The third-class cruiser Prometheus, on her way down the coast, arrived in the Bay on Saturday afternoon. The Mayor (Mr. W. D. Lysnar) and Messrs J. Townley, J. It. Kirk, and W. Miller, representing the executive of the Navy League, immediately went out to her in the Harbor Board’s launch. The party was courteously received bv Commander Glossop, who was formally welcomed to the port by the' Mayor, both in liis civic capacity and on behalf of the Navy League. Commander Glossop, in the course of conversation, mentioned that the vessel had had a good passage down the coast, travelling at economical speedviz., 1(H knots per hour. They had no gun practice during the trip down. Ho purposed, if the weather hold good, remaining in Gisborne until Friday morning, when the Prometheus will proceed to Napier, The commander expressed pleasure at the establishment in Gisborne of a branch of the Navy League, and said that he, his officers, and the men would always be delighted to we’come either the grown-up or youthful members of the League. He had hardly spoken the words when the Tuatea, with about 400 school children, from both town and country, aboard, came alongside, and swarmed aboard, eager to come to close quarters with the occupants of the ship. There was a slight swell in the Bay, but under Captain Hawke’s supervision the embarking and disembarking of the children was safely carried out. The young folk were shown over the vessel from stem to stern, and were delighted with what they saw, although Commander Glossop explained that when steaming that class of vessel became very dirty. The commander also stated that he. would he only too pleased to throw the ship open to visitors every day after 1 p.m. during the stay. Mr. Williamson, of Ngatapa, came down from Auckland in the Prometheus. and Commander Glossop has gone out with him to the country to spend a few days.

A good number of the officers and crew of tire warship came ashore on Saturday evening, and many of them availed themselves of the kind invitation of the proprietary of the Pathe Pictures to attend the performance in the theatre. The officers have been made honorary members of the Poverty Bay, Gisborne, and Cosmopolitan Clubs, and the Y.M.C.A. rooms have also been thrown open to any on board the vessel who care to make use of them. A number of the officers and men were ashore yesterday, and large parties attended the services at various churches. The Mayor, entertained a number of officers at Wainui, and others were taken for a motor drive. To-night the officers and men will again he the guests of the Pathe Picture proprietary at the theatre, and to-morrow the Mayor is arranging an extended motor drive through the surrounding districts. Commander Glossop has expressed his intention, if in town, of being present at the Hospital social on Thursday night. The crew of the Prometheus contains both a Rugby and Association football team, and in all probability matches will be played at the Domain during their stay. . On Thursday a rifle shooting match will take place on the Ka.iti range between a team from the vessel and a local team, 10 a-.ride, with 7 shots at each 200, 500, and 600 yards. The Prometheus will bo open to the public in the afternoon to-day, and every day up to and including Thursday. The Tuatea will leave the wharf for the cruiser to-day, to-morrow, and Wednesday, at 1 p.m., and will make further trips on those days if sufficient inducement offers. Special trips will be run on Thursday afternoon. The first will leave the wharf at 1 p.m. The fare is to be 2s for adults and Is for children under 12. Juvenile members of the Navy League will be carried at a special charge of ha’f these rates on production of their tickets of membership.