UNITED STATES FLEET.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2260, 4 August 1908, Page 2

UNITED STATES FLEET.

THE WI.Itd!)LESS COMMUNICATION.

[Press Association.]

AUCKLAND, Augu. t 3

A “Star” reporter made inquiries if 1 toil tor’s wireless message gn n«' movements of the American iloot was received by M.iMJS. Powerful* and was informed in the nogativo, the instruments on tlio British warships not being tuned t 0 receive American meEsuges. When ilie was coming to Now Zealand irom Fiji sno got into cominunicution with the i:i« untor at Wellington while >t..l a Jong distance off the Now Zealand "oast

SHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS. (Special to “Times.”) AUCKLAND, August 3. With a view of obviating disappointment to Gisborncites who wish to witness the arrival of the American Hoot, your representative waited on Mr. Irvine, local manager of the Union S.'S. Co., this evening, and islced that as the Haupiri arrived from Coast ports to-day would it bo possible, if necessary, to arrange loi Gisborne and East Coast people to leave kv a special trip <d" the steamer. Mr. Irvine replied that the Hairpin was due to go into dock to-morrow, and he had had no communications as to the present facilities not being sufficient, but, if required and representation were made to-morrow •morning. it might be possible to cancel the docking of the steamer. He would therefore advise 'Gisborne people to take advantage of the opportunity, if necessary, and communicate with the Company, who, as the manager assured me, were only too willing .to assist the travelling public of Gisborne to witness the .historical event. Mr. J. W. Preston, Gisborne manager of the Union IS.iS. Co., yesterday informed a “Times” representative that in view of the largo number of steerage immigrants, ex the Rimutaka from London, who arc aboard the Wnikare, that vessel’s accommodation in the steerage is fully taxed. Steerage passengers booked here for Auckland cannot, therefore, be carried by the Waikato, but it has been arranged for the Flora to leave Wellington this evening, and Gisborne on Wednesday or Thursday evening, tor Auckland. Whether the Flora | 'eaves here on Wednesday or Thure--1 lv will depend.upon a stay at Napier being made or not. It is confidently hoped that all saloon passengers booked to travel 'by the Waik.ire can be taken, blit no more will-I e boobed. If, after the Wuikare and Flora have left for Auckland, and tlie iV'/mimra being already fully booked, it should be found that there is sufficient inducement the Flora will be Drought direct from Auckland to take additional Gisborne passengers to the northern port.

AUCKLAND JOTTINGS. (Special to “Times.”) AUCKLAND, August 3. The mystery as t 0 bow the wireless telegram from the American fleet reached Melbourne is taxing the intelligence of many. The information was not received aboard H.M.S. Powerful, as is generally conjectured, but, although fitted with wireless apparatus, tlio codes are different. A large number of visitors are arriving daily, and people are already beginning io wonder what will be tie ultimate issue. The programme for the festivities is practically complete, and the decorations are proceeding .apace.

[Presj Association.] AUCKLAND, August 3. The warships Encounter and Pioneer arrived from Napier shortly before 3 o’clock tlii6 afternoon, and the flagship Powerful ie also in port. POLICE PRECAUTIONS. [Press Association.] WELLINGTON, August 3. Very complete arrangements have been made by the Commissioner of Police (Mr. Dinnic) for the preservation of law and order in Auckland during the American Fleet Week. The local force of police will be doubled by drafting sergeants and constables from other centres in the Dominion .and, in addition, the Permanent Artillery now stationed in Auckland will be pressed into the police force. Members of the detective force 'from the southern counties will also be sent t<> Auckland for the occasion. Mild the Commissioner .will be in Auckland himself. Detective Broberg and Acting-Detective Quar-ter-main, of Wellington, have been selected for special duty in the northern city. AUCKLAND’S CARNIVAL. THE PROGRAMME OF ENTERTAINMENTS. The city of Auckland is busy making preparations for the reception of the American, fleet which is expected to arrive in the Waitemata Harbor on Sunday next. Already large crowds are flocking into tlio 'city and though every effort has been made to provide accommodation, it is estimated that as some 15,000 visitors will crowd from all parts of the Dominion, the hotel and boarding house accommodation will bo taxed to the utmost. The flagship of tlio Australian squadron, ll.M.S.Powerful with ViceAdmiral Sir Richard Poore on board arrived at Auckland last Wednesday, and will remain to take part in the celebrations, while the Encounter and tlio Pioneer are expected to arrive this week. The remainder of the squadron, the Challenger, tlio Pyramus, and the Pegasus will remain in Sydney.

When the American fleet passes the harbor forts in the Rangitoto Channel on Sunday, Admiral Sperrv will salute the flags, and the guns from the forts will reply .in salute. The Admiral will then land, and a salute of thirteen guns will he fired in his honor.

The following is the official programme of both the city and Government festivities in connection with the visit:—

SUNDAY, August 9. Fleet arrive and take up -their moorings. Official visit of Rear-Admiral Sperry, Oommander-in-Chief of the American fleet, to His Excellency the Governor, and other official visits. MONDAY. 10 a.m.—Official landing of Rear-Ad-miral Sperry and officers. The party will bo met on landing at the Queens-street TV barf by the chairman and members of the Auckland Harbor Board, and conducted by them to the dais. Reception by the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, Prime Minister, and members of the Ministry and Legislature. Presentation of address of welcome from the Dominion by tlio Prime Minister. Presentation of souvenir to President Roosevelt by tho Prime Min-

ister. Presentation of souvenir to RearAdmiral Sperry by the Prime Minister. Presentation of address and souvenir by -tho Auckland Harbor Board. Procession to Military Hall, But-, land-street. Civic reception by the Mayor of Auckland City. Presentation of address a’ud souvenir to Rear-Admiral Sperry on behalf of the citizens of Auckland. Tree planting at Albert Park to commemorate the visit of the flee’. Official lunch at 1 p.m. at the Mayor’s residence, “Cintra,” Sym-onds-streot. Officers of landing party lunch at Northern and Auckland Clubs. 3 p.m.—Review of volunteer troops of the Auckland District in tho Domain. 8 p.m.—Banquet in Military Hall given by tho Prime Minister and members of the Ministry to RearAdmiral Sperry and the officers of the fleet. Fireworks display from Railway Wharf.

TUESDAY. 0 .a m.-—IOOO men land for tram trips. Lunch at Drill Hail, Onoliunga, for 500 men; lunch at the Royal Albert/Hall, Auckland, for 000 men." , , 1.45 p.m.—VllOO men to bo entertained at matinee performance at His Majesty’s Theatre. 3 p.m.—Reception by the Mayor and Mrs. Arthur Myers at Military Hall. . , 7.30 p.m.—500 American and 100 British men-o’-warsmen to be entertained at Military Hall. .Concert by Liedertafel (60 male voices); light refreshments. . . 350 American and 50 British jnen-o’-warsmen to be entertained at Y.M.C.A. Rooms, Albert-street. Concert and social; Light refreshments. , 9.15 p.m.—State Ball nt Government House, given by their Excellencies the Governor and Lady Plunket to Rear-Admiral Sperry and officers of the fleet . WEDNESDAY. 11 a.m.—Race meeting at Ellerslie (8J miles from tlio city by train or tram). First race 11 a.m. Special trains will run at frequent intervals between 8.50 and 11 a.m. Return trains will run at frequent intervals after 4 p.m. Transit, admission, and luncheon will be provided for 2500 American and British men-o’-warsmen. 3 p.m.—Government guests leave Ellcrslie railway station for Rotorua Ly special train as under:—Auckland, depart 2.30 p.m., racecourse 3 p.m., Hamilton arrive 5.48 p.m., Hamilton depart G.lB p.m., Rotorua arrive 0.45 p.m. 6.30 p.m.—Non-commissioned Garrison officers entertain 160 American and 40 British non-commissioned officers at Military Hall. 7.30 p.m.—350 American and 50 British nieii-o’-warsinen will lie entertained at the Y.M.C.A. Rooms, Albert-street. Concert and social entertainment; light refreshments. 8 p.m.—500 American and 100 British men-o’-warsmen, in addition to non-commissioned officers’ party, will be entertained nt Military Hall. Boxing tournament and smoke concert; light refreshments. Savage Club entertains 160 American and 40 British officers at the Choral Hall. Svmonds Street. THURSDAY.

9 a.m.—looo men land for tram trips. Lunch at Drill Hall, Onehunga, for 500 men; lunch at Royal Albert Hall, Auckland, for 500 men. 1.45 p.m.—looo men to be entertained at a matinee performance at His Majesty’s Theatre. Rifle shooting match at Penrose, 50 men aside, between teams from visiting fleet and members of the Auckland Garrison Volunteers. Tropliies provided. 6.30 p.m.—Non-commissioned Garrison officers entertain 200 non-com-missioned officers of the fleet at

Military Hall. 7.30 p.m.—400 men-o’-warsmen at Y.M.C.A. Rooms, Albert-street. Concert and gymnastic display; light refreshments. 8 p_.ni.-J6OO men-o’-warsmen, in addition to non-commissioned officers’ party, entertained at Military Hall, Boxing tournament and smoke concert- ; light refreshments. Orphans’ Club entertain 200 officers at Federal Hall, Wellesley street-. FRIDAY. Morning.—Aquatic sports (weatlief permuting). Trophies provided. 1. Race, best- and best cutters, ship v. ship. 2. Starboard watch v. starboard watch. 3. Port watch v. port watch. 4. Winning port v. winning starboard. 5. Sailing race, ship v, ship, officers at the tiller. 2 to 5 p.m. —General sports, at Domain. Lacrosse, Australian football, hockey, gymnastic display by Professor Potter’s pupils. Rugby and Association football. Admission free to all. ' 9 p.m. British Medical Association entertain surgeons of fleet at Northern Club. SATURDAY. Afternoon.—2ooo men to witness interprovincial football match, Auckland v. Wellington, at Alexandra Park, Epsom. Evening.—Departure of the fleet for Sydney. ROTORUA TRIP The visiting admirals and officers will spend from Wednesday afternoon to Friday morning of Fleet AVeek at Rotorua, where a programme of sightseeing, etc., lias been arranged ine following are the details:— 10 a.m. (Thursday).—Visit to the native township of Ohinemutu. Welcome by the Arawa natives in the Government Gardens. Opening of the new Rotorua baths by the Eight Hon. Sir Joseph Ward. 12.30 p.m.—Luncheon. 2 Ip.ni.—Drive to iVliak-arewerewa. Opening of a Maori, meeting house according to ancient Maori custom.

Visit to thermal sights under the guidance of Maggie, Bella and other native guides. Playing the Wairoa Geyser. Evening.—Bands play in Governmeut Gardens.