UNITED STATES FLEET.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2233, 3 July 1908, Page 3

UNITED STATES FLEET.

EXTENDED TRAM SERVICE. RACES AT ELLERSLIE. [Special to “Times.”] AUCKLAND, July 2. Arrangements have been made with the Tramway Company to run an extended service during Fleet Week, possibly until midnight. The Executive Committee have decided to invito 2500 officers and men of the visiting fleet and 500 of the British fleet as guests of the city to a raco meeting at Ellerslie. The races will probably commence at 11 a.m. so that tlie departure of the Admiral’s train for Rotorua at 3 p.m. may be after the final event. WELLINGTON’S LACK OF ENTHUSIASM. BANNERS OF WELCOME. [Press Association.] AUCKLAND. July 2. “There is an apparent want of interest in the capitd citv regarding the coining of the licet. ’’ remarked Mr. Donne, one of the Government Commissioners, to a “Herald” reporter this afternoon. Mr. 'Donne was of the opinion that this lack of interest was due more to tho scant mention of the Auckland preparations in the Wellington press than t 0 a lukewarm feeling on the part of tlie Wellington people, for during his stay in the capital he was asked for information by many people who are going to visit Auckland during Fleet Week. Mr. Donne said lie had told people who were interested that the Auckland people were regirding the fleet's coming as a national event, anil not ns one of local importance only.

The first municipal banner of welcome to hand baits from the south, and it reached Audi 1 1 ml Ibis afternoon. In consists of 10ft by sft of streamers bearing the words, "Welcome from Roxburgh” in red silk, on a white ground. The municipalities generally seem to be enthusiastic in their acceptance of this idea, and the seventieth notification of intention to he represented by a banner has reached Auckland. The Hags will shortly follow.