A RED-LETTER DAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2265, 10 August 1908, Page 2

A RED-LETTER DAY.

A PICTURESQUE SCENE. SUPERB DECORATIONS. [Press Association.] AUCKLAND, August ?. The great white fleet of the United States arrived in Auckland harbor at 8 o’clock this morning. It was a redletter day. not only in the history of the city,’ but also in the annals of New Zealand. The sight was one that will long linger in the memory of the thousands who witnessed it. It was the sight, of a life-time. The.older generations had never wiineesedi such a spectacle before, and it is doubtful whether the younger will ever see one like it again. . -, Unfortunately many thousands were disappointed, owing to some bungling as to the time , when the fleet would actually enter the harbor. The original intention was that Admiral Sperry and' his long retinue of ships should enter at 9 o’clock, blit-on Saturday a wireless message was received from’ him by the storesliip Culgoa, which preceded the battleslwjis, and had anchored in the harbor tbe previous day, stating lie expected to arrive at 8-o’clock. This time was generally regarded as too early, and as it was thought the Admiral would not mind delaying the actual entrance into the harbor for a couple of horn's, in order that the spectacle might not 6itffer through the early August fog or haze, -and that those living at a distauce might have ample time in which to take up coigns of vantage, the Mayor yielded to a general desire that the Admiral be reciuested to hold tlie ships out till 10 o’clock. Accordingly Mr. Myers despatched a special wireless message to this effect, per medium of the Culgoa last night. A notice was posted up in a- prominent position in Queen Street announcing that tlie fleet- would arrive at 10 o’clock, and this was seen by the many thousands who were parading the main thoroughfare of the city and viewing the decorations and illuminations. People went home fully convinced that this would be adhered to. but they were considerably surprised when at 7.30 this morning tlie big signal gun avas heard indicating that the fleet would enter Waitemata harbor half-an-hour later. The consequence was that when; the fleet did enter, instead of already having taken up their positions from which to view the ships, thousands upon thousands of people were to lie seen rushing along all streets making for the foreshores in order to catch a glimpse of THE MIGHTY BATTLESHIPS. Still there were thousands who had been up at daylight, determined to take no chances, and all the principal vantage points, Campbell’s Point, Takapuma,Cheltenham, etc., were thronged at an early hour. Thousands crossed over by ferry boats to North Shore, desiring to see the first of tlie ships before they rounded the North Head. A great many had gone down to meet them in craft of .oil descriptions, steamers, yachts, motor launches, and the picture the harbor presented at 8 o’clock, when Admiral Sperry’s monster fleet and tlie flagship Connecticut steamed round North Head, was superb. It was a glorious morning in Auckland. An August day has rarely broken so beautifully as this one broke. . Tho rain that had been feared held off, and, instead, there was a r-ky of glorious blue and a warm sun. It was

A DAY OF DAYS in every sense. Great white ships coming slowly round the Head in single file glinted and flashed ill the sunlight like things of beauty. It was a majestic spectacle, and the firing of salutes, tho fort salute and its acknowledgment, tho exchange of sa-lutes'-between. the American fleet and the ships of the Australasian squadron lying .in tho harbor, was stirring to a degree. Monster guns rang out on the clear, crisp air with mighty sound, and tho sound echoed and reverberated in the bills. A great cheer broke, from scores of thousands of throats, and as the bands which had gone down in some of the steamers that met tho battleships struck up, people grew WILD WITH ENTHUSIASM, and cheer upon cheer went Tip.’ It was wonderful to see these ships, how they manoeuvred like soldiers of a welltrained army. Everything was done with clock-like precision. Their fame had spread before them in this connection. It was known of them long before that they were a great piece of machinery, wherein everything is ordered well, and everything does exact jy what is required of it, but it wqs something to see it done. It was SIMPLY ASTONISHING. As has been stated . the battleships came in single file in. long-extended line, the one behind the other. fl'he pace was dead slow. Each ship seemed to be separated from the other by exactly tho same stretch of water, and as they slowly crept to their anchorage, each taking up its allotted place 111 the harbor, one could not fail to lie struck with the marvellous liandbng of these great white All the manoeuvres were carried out with mathematical accuracy Here were the mighty, ponderous battleships of the American navy, sixteen majestic ships of. war, costing twenty millions, being manipulated as if the wprs Wats ft mere bagatelle,

On the Parliamentary train from Wellington it was announced tliat tho Tubanekai would leave the wharf at 8.30 a.m. on Sunday taking members of Parliament, pressmen, etc., to view tbe fleet. The vessel left at J a.in .with a large crowd of members and ladies aboard, and circled round the fleet, viewing all warships at close quarters, pennants being dipped on both sides. GENERAL ADMIRATION was expressed at the wonderful manner the 6hips had come up the harbor and anchored. The view of the fleet off Devonport was superb, all 'tho ships being independently visible and manned fully. . In a short i.ntorviow the Hon. u. Fowlds said that tlie harbor and surroundings presented a lino sight, and such a magnificent display would bo impossible on any other port, ino American ships looked fit for business. The crowds were beyond his expectation, and the whole city had done more than credit 1o itself in the preparations made for tho reception, of tho American fleet. Tlie Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward), on being interviewed,.expressed bis intense gratification at tlio fact that tho proceedings of licet week had been inaugurated under such happy auspices. “I was very pleased, lie said, “to have had the opportunity this morning of seeing the various vessels oomo in and take up their allotted stations in the beautiful harbor, The sight well repaid tho trouble of those who had come long dista necs to' see it. The scene was urn-, quo, and it is likely to be a long time before .its like will bo repeated in these waters. 1 lie visit of sixteen vessels of war at one tniie is an ereut of great interest ill the history of any IKirt, aiid Auckland has, indeed, been honored in lining accorded the distinction of receiving tho visit of an. American fleet.”. On speaking re the beauty scene in tbe harbor, Sir oosepii said tho natural attractions of tho harbor and its surroundings, added m no small measure <to tlie picturesque aspect of the arrival of the fleet- Ike immense crowds of people and the animated condition of the harbor, with tho various craft running to and fro, formed, he said, a very striking spectacle, and one which left no doubt as to tlie enthusiasm of the welcome to the visitors. Of the decorations of the city, Sir Joseph spoke m the most flattering terms. “They are altogether very excellent,” lie said. Queen Street, particularly at night when lighted up ,is a picture of which any ci’tv might well fee./ proud, and in the other streets I have visited I have also been struck with the effectiveness of the decorations of so many business’ premises.” The presence of so many welcome banners from other parts of the Dominion was. also referred to by the Prime Minister as a pleasing feature of the decorations. •‘I do not think that any more marked way could have been adopted to: show that the welcome being extended to our American visitors is a national one, and not in any sense confined' to Auckland. The Mayors and Councillors of different municipalities, by sending these banners, have given fitting expression to the sentiments of the people of all parts of the Dominion.” Sir Joseph Ward, accompanied by the Hons. J. McGowan, J. A. Millar, and Dr. Findlay made an official cal! upon Admiral Sperry on tlie Connecticut this afternoon. As the Prime Minister left, a salute of 16 guns Was fired from the flagship in his honor. FRIENDLY GREETINGS. MESSAGE TO NEW ZEALANDERS [Press Association.] ; AUCKLAND, August 9. The following message was given by Admiral Sperry to the people of New Zealand:—“l am very, glad to have the pleasure to visiting jvew Zealand, and appreciate very much the enthusiastic and cordial reception given to tlie United States fleet. 1 regret very much we have been unable to visit, any other portion of your fine Dominion, and I send friendly greetings to tbe people of New Zealand.” THE FLEET’S DEPARTURE. TIMED FOR SATURDAY. . [Press Association.] AUCKLAND, August 9. The fleet is to leave at 8 a.m. next Saturday.

NAVY MASCOTTES. A HEAVY PAY ROLL. [Press Association.] ■ AUCKLAND, August 9. On every boat there is a Young 1 Y. J( i ;ir by the people in the State of Washington. These are tiie navy mascottes. Eighty thousand pounds’ worth of English money is to be taken aboard the fleet to-morrow for the payment of the men.