THE GREAT WHITE FLEET

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 197, 10 August 1908, Page 2

THE GREAT WHITE FLEET

Auckland Last Night. The grunt white Ueet of the United Status arrived in Auckland linrkor at 8 o clock this morning, it was a KEl> LlviTiiK JjAY, • nut only in the-history ol the eity,, ; but also iu the annals ol' flew Zealand, lite sight was one which will long linger in tiie memory of the scores of thousands who witnessed it. It was

tile SIGHT Ol 1 ' A i,U<JiiUIK. Wm older generation had never witnessed such u spectacle belore, and it is doubttul whether the younger will ever sec the like again. Uniortualely, many

iIIULfcAjNUS HMOi DI.jAI'I'OLSTED, owing to some bungling as to the time when tile ileet would actually enter the harbor. 'lhe original intention was tUat Admiral tyc'iTy and liis long ivtiline of shiiis would cuter at U oclock, but on Saturday a wireless message' was received from him by the storeship tulgoa, which preceded tho battleships and tod anchored in tile harbor previous day, stating tiiiat he expecteQ to arrive at 8 o'clock. That time was generally regarded as too early, and as it was thought tile Admiral would not' mind delaying the actual entrance into the harbor for a couple of hours in order that the spectacle- nnglit not suffer througili the early August fog or haze, and thai .those living at a distance might have time to take up coigns of vantage, the Mayor yielded to a general desire that the Admiral In; requested to hold tlia ships oil' until 10 ■o'clock. Accordingly, Mr. Myers despatched a special wireless message to this clicct per medium of the Culgoa. Las; night a notice was posted up in a prominent position in .Queen Btreut

announcing 'that tlie fleet would arrive at 10 o'clock, anil this was seen by tie many thousands who were parading the main thoroughfares ol thu city and viewing the decoration* and illuminations. People went home fully convinced that this, would be adhered to, hut they were considerably surprised when, at 7.30 this morning, the Dig signal gun was heard indicating that the fleet would enter Waitemata harbor half an hour later. The consequence was that jvhen the lleet did enter, instead of already baying taken up their position from which to view the ships,, thousands upon thousands of people wnre to be seen: •rushing along all routes making for the foreshore in order to catch a glimpse of the mighty battleships. Still, many, they were to be numbered by SCORES OF THOUSANDS, iiad been up at daylight determined to take no chances, and all the principal vantage points—Campbell Point, Tukapuna, Cheltenham, etc.—were thronged at an early hour, Thousands crossed over by ferry boats to North Shore desiring to see the first of the ships before they rounded North Head.

A GLOIUOUS I'lOi'URE. A great many had gone down to the see in ships to meet them in eraft of all kinds—steamers, yachts, and motor launches, and the picture the harbor presented at 8 o'clock, when AdmiraL Sperry's monster flagship Connecticut round North Head was stfperb. It was A GLOIUOUS MOKNING. An Auckland August day has rarely, broken so beautifully as this one broke. The rain that had been feurcil held off, and instead Ulcrv; was a sky of glorious blue, and a \>nrni suu, ji. was a day of days in every sense. The great white shfps coming slowly round the head in single filed, glmtwl and llasilied in the sunlight like things of beauty, it was A MAJJStmO •SJ.'KCIAUJS, and the firing of the salutes—the fort Salute and its acknowledgment, and the exchange of salutes between the American fleet and the ships of the Australasian Squadron lying in thu harborwas

STIIUtJNU TO A DISGRKI. The monster guns rang out on the clear crisu air with niiglity sound, and the sound echoed and reverberated in the hills. A GllliAT CHEEII broke from scores of thousands of throats, nnil as the bands, which had gone down ill some steamers, struck up, the people grew wild with enthusiasm. (Jlieer after diver went up. WOiNDKItKUL PKECICION. It was wonderful to see those ships iliow they marched like the soldiers of a well-trained 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 does exactly what is required of it, hut it was something to see it done. IT WAS ASTONISHING.

As had been stated, the battleships came, in in single file, in a long extended line, the one behind the other. Tho pace was dead slow. liach ship seemed to bo separated from tile other by exactly the same stretch - of water, and as they slowly ' crept to their anchorage, each taking up an allotted place in tlje harbor, one could not tail to be struck with the marvellous handling of these great white beauties.

■ The whole thing, 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 work were a mere bagatelle. GENISHAL. On the Parliamentary train from Wellington, it was announced that the Tutanekai would leave Uie wharf at 8.30 on Sunday, taking members of Parliament, pressmen, etc., to view ! the ilect. The vessel left at 9 a.m. with a large crowd of members and ladies* aboard, and circled round tilie fleet), viewing all ]<liu warships at ciosc quarters, pennants being dipped oil both sulcs. General admiration was expressed at the wonderful manner in which the ships had come up the harbor and anchored. The view of the fleet off Devonport was superb, all the ships being independently visible, and manned fully. * MR. HIWLU'S OPINION. In a short interview, the Hon. Jl!r. I'owlds said the harbor and surroundings presented a line sight—a magnihcent display. It would be impossible in any other port. The American ships looked lit for business. The crowdwere beyond his expectations. T. ■whole city had done liioru than emiit to Itself 'ill tilie preparations made for Uie reception of the American fleet. Pli KMlElt IN TICK VIEWED. The Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, 011 being interviewed, expressed Ills intense gratification at the fact that tilie proceedings of ''lleet week" had been inaugurated under such happy auspices, "i was very pleased," he said, "to have had llie opportunity this morning oi seeing the various vessels of the ileet come in and take up their allotted stations in the beautiful harbor. The sight would have repaid the trouble of thosvi who had come long distances to , see it. The scene was unique, and it is likely to be a long time before i!t will be repeated in those waters. The visit of sixteen vessels of war at one time is an event of great interest in the history of any port, and Auckland has indeed been honored in being aeenrded the distinction of tile receiving of the visit of the American fleet." In speaking re the beauty of the scene ill the harbor, Sir Joseph said the natural attractions of the harbor and its surroundings added in no small measure to the picturesque aspect of tlie arrival of the fleet. The immense crowds of people, and the animated condition of the harbor, witih tlio various crafts running to and fro, formed, he said,'a very striking spectacle, and one which left up; . doubt as to the enthusiasm of the wvl- | come to the visitors. The decorations of the city Sir Joseph spoke of in the, moat flattering terms. "They aro altogether very excellent," ho said. "Queen street, particularly at night when lighted up, is a picture of wliieh anv city might well feel proud, and in other ptreetfi T have visited Imvo ai- . so been struck with-the effectiveness of ( the decorations of so many business i premises." The presence of so many j

ARRIVAL IN AUCKLAND A WONDERFUL AND IMPRESSIVE SIGHT. NEW ZEALAND'S WELCOME PERFECT WEATHIER CONDITIONS. By Telegraph.—l'rcss Association.

. " i, l 0» wus uC f ll,u *'»**« a, a Tsi, 10 , lfl « ttirn. 'lecoraiious. -j a , f of the '7* H thut u "y iidoptt'd to siloiv tio «, W, '" l , va . te, 'Ul!<l to our llllMir. ' D i' °*- '"itioiml one „..j , l "' u " u v 'Bitor» i* a 'mod to Aukluuu iae"" 1, 3C '" M cuncounciliorg 0 f aiiiwJ and Ky H nd W g LTCLTTr m **- J'tting expressioif to ~ ' «*«» l^ IK '" l,lcof,,,l^VTrSm 0 f

Bom. n a ' j ac ° om P»ni«(l by Kr£s:i«rßs th « «*B»IUp i>» Ws Cor™" fired from AUMiItAL W'JSKhrs AIKSSAGK. Zealand:— 1 °P le of New ' l '(' Stales fleet »«a, we have bee ß y tliei portion of your line T) 0 niuuon, aiul 1 8e »tl iriendly greetinM o Uw people of New Zealand,"

'i'lAlE OF Dlil'AK'iUKK. Auckland, Last vi.-m

FLEET JIASWHES. Auckland, Last Nijrht. On every boat there is a young black J: ' presented by the people fn thn State of Washington. P tia l'A V MEN'iToF THE MEN. Auckland, Last Night. L.ghty thousand pound* worth of fh i ( n !° m ' y 1(! to be tak «» aboard. tile S. to " lorrow IOT the mnt 0i THE l'ftEAilKlt'S UIIEETING. Auckland, Saturday. J. he souvenir book printed bv the Government for presentation to officers of the American lleot contains the folMinisrter:— Wri " cn PH»

IW, h ßit ° f mmi P» o! foreign ® vur V'" so welcome as joins i a to-day, ior in receiving the lkot of the United iitates 0 f America the sense of kinship stirs our hearts. We feel the nation of the we»t has come to visit ÜB , f or the lleet of the nation is mow directly a part ot it than any other of the visible embodiments of its might, majesty and dominion. 1 '

Alter a reference to our pride in tho ties oi knislup, tn e address continues!

iour President by- act and word i'i uis me work j-eilecis und vuic-ea o.ir own national t-tnica and aspirations. Witu him and with your nation we, too, would lead and live saenuous We, based upon honor, fair uualing, a mi i lumau kindness in the love oi (iod. 'i4e name of Koosevelt in this Dominion stands for national righteousness. It is cherished, honored, and revered. We beliwve of him, us has been said by one of our immortals, that he hus

Never sold liutji to serve the hour, Nor paltered with eternal God lor power,' and in that lie typifies to us our own sympathies and ideals. We look to him as a faithful counsellor and triend. The armaments of Aniurica. and above all her navy, are but majestic instruments for working out the aims of highwr civilisation, tfour lleet stands lor peace, not war; for justice, not aggression; for freedom, not tyranny, it is all theso thoughts and leelinga stirring in our hearts today that lift our welcomy above any mere international courtesy. Ou<|' liearts go out to you. Our hands grasp yours as brothers, friends, and lellow sailors. Haernnail Haerimail"

OFFICIAL PitOUiIAMME. Tlie official programme for the fleet w as follows: Monday, August 10-Laudiag and reception by the Harbor Board officiate: reception on the dias by the Premiek and Ministers; presentation of address of welcome by the Premier; presentation of souvenirs to President Roosevelt and Admiral Sperry by the Premier; presentation of address and »u----venir to Admiral Sperry on behalf of the citizens; tree planting at AlberV Park to commemorato the visit oi the fleet; official lunch at the Mayor's reaiuencoj review of the volunteer troops of the Auckland district in thu Domain; banquet in the .Military Hall given by the Prime Minister and members ot tile Ministry to Admiral Sperry and the offieers; lireworka display. iuesday, August 11—Eleven hundred men to be entertained at a inaunee performance at His Majesty's Theatre: reception by the Mayo/ and Mr*. Myers; 500 American and 100 British men-o'-warsmen to be entertained at the Military Hall; concert by the Liedcrtafel; 3,>0 American and 60 Britffl'a men-o'-warsmen to he entertained at the Y.M.O.A. rooms, Albert street; concert and social; State ball at Government House. "

Wednesday, August 12.—Hace ' meeting at Ellurslie; Government guests leavo for Hotorua by special traiu; noncommissioned garrison officers entertain 1(10 American and 40 British non-com-missioncd officers; 350 American and 60 British men-o'-warsmen will be entertained at the Y.M.C.A. rooms; concert and social; 500 American and 100 British men-o'-warsmen, in addition to non-commissioned officers' party, will be entertained at the Military Hall; boxnig tournament and smoke concert; Kavngu Club entertains 100 American and 40 British officers.

Thursday, August 13—Eleven hundred men to be ontertained at a matinee performance at Hia Majesty's Theatre; rifle shooting match at Penrose; non-commissioned garrison officers entertain 200 non-commissioned officers of the ileet; 400 men-o'-warameu entertained at Y.M.C.A, rooms, concert and gymnastic display; 000 men-o'-wars--■'ii in addition to non-commissioned party, entertained at Military . ail. boxing tournament and srnoka concert. in- day, August 14.—British Medical Association entertain surgeons of tie lice; at Northern Cluo. ltutorna trip.—The visiting Admirals and nllicers will spend from Wednesday aiteruoon to Friday morning ol fleet week at Hotorua, where a programme of sight-seeing, etc., has been arranged, 'llie following are the details:— Thursday, Visit to Ohinemutuj) welcome by the Arawa natives in Government 'gardens; opening of now Hotorua Baths by Sir Joseph Ward; drivo to Whakarcwarewa; opening of Maori limiting house; visit to thermal sights, under guidance of Maggie, Bella, and other native guides; playing of Wairoa. Goyser; bands play in Government gardens. Special trips on Rotorua. and ltotoiti to Hamarana, Okcro, Tikitore, the Blue and Green iakes of Wairoa will be arranged.