THE WHITE ARMADA

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2267, 12 August 1908, Page 2

THE WHITE ARMADA

YESTERDAY’S FESTIVITIES. VISIT TO FLAGSHIP, SAILORS ON LEAVE. (From our Special Commissioner.) AUCKLAND, August 11. Visitors still throng tho streets, but Aucklanders themselves opened their shops to-day, and sottlcd themselves down to business, and, from all appearances, they seem to bo reaping a rich harvest. Picture postcards upsear to receive the most attention, jut all tho shops have been crowded all day long. I heard one American say to a friend, as lie strolled out of a draper’s shop with a bulky parcel, •‘Gee, but 1 had to get one ol those shawls: they’re the finest over.” lie wjw'fbferring to tho woollen rugs, in -file manufacture of which tho Dominion can hold its own with any part of tho world. Woollen goods of this quality aro scarcely obtainable in the United States on account of tho heavy duty jhcncc their attractiveness to our visitors. But Die biggest trade of all is done by the publicans, whose assistants are keeping going at high pressure all dav and all night in a frantic endeavor to assuage the unquenchable thirst of tho crowds who throng tho vicinity of the bars. A large proportion of tho sailors take more than, is good for them, and although there lias so far been little disorder, there has inevitably been a good deal of drunkenness. The spectacle of tho Jack Tars, helplessly inebriated, being half-dragged along the streets by a couple of mates is fairly common. Fortunately for tho community,’ tho sailors arc only allowed aslioro in contingents of about 1000 each, so that something approaching effective supervision can bo maintained. All do not liquor, however, and a proportion seem to bo fine, weJl-set-up, manly fellows who are a credit to their ships and to their country. Above all, tho American Jack Tar, so far as wo liavo seen him to date, seems a thoroughly good-humored fellow, with an abundant flow of animal spirits and a pronounced dialect that creates a good doal of amusement amongst Now Zealanders, who find a little entertainment in listening to his quaint remarks. This afternoon I formed one of a •larty which went aboard the Government steamer, tlio Tutanekai, on a Lit to the flagship of the fleet, tho Connecticut. Tlio experience was certainly very interesting. Wo were chiefly concerned in the manner in which tho guns were handled, the clever devices arranged for the accommodation of tho men, the elegance of the officers’ quarters, the extraordinary cleanliness of everything aboard the warship, and tho extreme courtesy of Admiral Sperry. To-night the warships are again, lit up in tho harbor, and tho spectacle of myriads of electric lights outlining every feature of each vessel is both bright and beautiful

To-day the trams and railway were able to accommodate the crowds, which were much smaller than at the general holiday, but from the aspect of Queen Street to-night I should say there will be a largo number left lamenting when the ten o’clock cars leave for tlio suburbs. As I write there is a tremendous turmoil in the main street. Men and women; by thousands are walkng up and down, sailors are shouting and laughing, and there is a good deal of harmless rowyism. There is certainly no lack of life and animation in the scene, which seems strangely out of place in our usually stolid Dominion cities. ENTERTAINMENT OF THE MEN. THE STATE BALL. [Press Association.] AUCKLAND, August 11. After tho imposing celebrations of yesterday, Aiickland is today comparatively quiet. Sixteen hundred sailors of the visiting fleet are ashore, having leave for the whole day. This morning a thousand men were taken for tram rides in the city and suburbs and entertained at lunch at Onelninga and in .the city. Eleven hundred were the city’s guests at a matinee at Ilis Majesty's Theatre. The Mayor and Mayoress.are giving a:n official reception this afternoon. Further entertainments are arranged for the evening, and the State ball at Government Houso promises to bo a particularly brilliant function. Admiral Sperry received the members of the Defence Council on the flagship this morning. Colonels Robin, Collins, and Davis were present, also Lieuteiiant-Uolonel Wolfe, officer commanding the district. This afternoon the Admiral received Ministers and members of Parliament and their wives on the Connecticut. Tho party went out i:i the Tutanekai. About 3000 men-o’-warsmen, mostly American, were entertained ashore today. Thousands were taken round trips in gaily-decorated tram cars. Eleven hundred witnessed a matinee performance at His Majesty’s Theatre and others attended concerts in the evening. This morning Admiral Sperry received the members of the New Zealand Council of Defence on the flagship, and this afternoon extended the same courtesy to the Premier, members of the. Legislature and their wives. The Mayoral reception this afternoon was largely attended, and the ball at Government House at night was crowded, and was a brilliant function. The warships and tho city were again illuminated, and the streets were densely thronged throughout the evening. At the general post office this afternoon, between two and five o’clock, an official stamped 8826 postcards destined for America, which were despatched by the visiting sailors. ACCIDENT ON MISSOURI. A MAN KILLED. [Press Association.] AUCKLAND, August 11. While the engine-room staff of tho Missouri was attending to the engines a steel shaft fell on a machinist named Paul Gentile, causing injuries which resulted fatally a few hours later.

A METHODIST MESSAGE. [Press Association.] FEILDING, August 11. The Rev. C.'E. Beccroft, president of tlio Methodist Conference of New Zealand, sent the following greeting to the Methodists of tho American fleet: ‘ 'Lads, livo up to your name.” THE SHOOTING TEAMS, REFUSED PERMISSION TO LAND [Press Association.] AUCKLAND, August 11. ■ The Imperial law prevents a:n armed party landing from foreign warships. For this reason the Cabinet refused permission for the holding of a rifle match between the fleet shootists and Auckland volunteers, but after much agitation tho difficulty was overcome. Tho Premier decided to waive the unusual regulation, and tho match eventuates on Thursday. United Press Association. Copyright MELBOURNE, August 11. Tho interpretation put by the Premier of New Zealand upon tho Imperial regulations with reference to the landing of parties of armed men, and Sir Joseph Ward’s application of those regulations to the American fleet teams in a rifle competition are by no means shared by the Federal Ministers. They do not interpret the Imperial regulations in 'any such sense. The rifle competitions arranged to take place between Australian and American teams during the fleet’s visit to Australia will not be hampered by technicalities. The Prime Minister said: “I know of nothing in the regulations which prevents riflecompetitions taking place. I am, however, looking into the whole question.” The Minister for Defence was even more specific than the Primo Minister. When questioned on the

subject ho said: “I am quite satisfied that any desire in which the authorities hero nro in unison with the Admiral of tho American fleet will not. bo hampered by any regulation of any description. With regard to shooting competitions, you may rest assured there will bo no hitch caused by any technicalities in connection v.-.fch the regulations as far as the Defence Department is concerned. Permission to land teams with their rifles will require to bo given by tho Governor-General. 1 do not anticipate any hitch.” AMERICAN NEWSPAPER COMMENT. MORAL EFFECT OF THE CRUISE. United Peess Association, Copyright (Received August 11, 10.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, August 11. Tho American press bestow far less notice to New Zealand’s reception of tho fleet than do the British. The “New York Herald” and tho “Philadelphia Inquirer” refer to the common bond that Australia, especially, and New Zealand, have with the United States owing to exposure to tho “yellow peril.” Both papers say the whites in tho Antipodes aro obviously and intensely pleased at the tangible evidence that the United States mean to become powerful enough in Die Pacific to be, if not their champion, a loader in any impending race struggle. The “Herald” further remarks that tho American strength in Eastern waters should do much to ensure ponce. After alluding to the profound impression the battleships made at Auckland, the “Herald” says that the moral effect that may bo produced upon other more imprcssio'nable people by the visible embodiment of the resources and power of the United States can only make for peace.

GREAT NAVAL ENTERPRISE. A 'HISTORIC INCIDENT. United Peess Association. Copyright (Received August 11, 10.35 p.m.) LONDON, August 11. Tlio “Daily Telegraph” refers to tho cruise as one of the greatest naval enterprises the world has kiiown. Nothing but good can . result from such a historic incident.