THE VISIT OF THE AMERICAN FLEET.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 267, 4 August 1908, Page 2

THE VISIT OF THE AMERICAN FLEET.

Sir,—Could not our New. Zealand Amateur Athletic-Association meet and arrange-a drafted programme' for an afternoon's sports meeting during the ' 'fleet's visit to .our shoresP" I feel sure it-would be'.appreciatgd. Those attached to the British flcet'w.ould coirir pete as Well. Our local authorities could at once communicate with the Auckland Enter-, tainmeut Committee. The idea was carried out in New South Wales, and was an enjoyable success. Supposing the following programme was arranged for as follows: — 100' Yards Championship of American Fleet; 440 Yards Championship of American Fleet'; 100 Yards Championship df ■ British. Fleet;, 220 Yards .Championship ofcsvßritish' Fleet. Tha following events to lie open .'.to -airships,' British and : American, and-'all members, of our New-Zealand Nayals and ,the. Reserves ; 100 Yards Sack Race. Naval Gun Dismounting Competition, one team from each "ship and naval corps. Sword and' Cutlass Drill.. 440 Yards Obstacle Race,. and. an old Maori War Veterans' Race. Tug-of-war, teams of ten from each ship or corps. International Tug-of-war, ten men. from American Fleet and ten from British Fleet, and the winners", to further compete -with a team' of Maorilanders. Water sports,; such ,as Cutter Races and Swimming, Championships, .etc;, etc. -Not forgetting a display .of drill, e'tcV,' : from our". Maoriland boys on board of the'' . New Zealand training ship Amokura. Thisj' I/feel sure,, would cement the whole of 'tlifi : ' obnibinod force's in rea'l social esprit de corps,and make at least one day a red-letter for our American guests. Trusting the ideawill be taken up.—l am,'"etc., August 2. E. W. ARNOLD, Jun. •