THE AMERICAN FLEET.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9167, 15 August 1908, Page 5

THE AMERICAN FLEET.

A FAREWELL MESSAGE. BY TALEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, Auffist 14. Admiral Speiry, in a farewell message to the people of New Zealand, says that the reception accorded to the Fleet has been hearty and cordial beyond expression, and cannot fail to draw closer the ties of a common race and common interest in the Pacific. The Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, and members of both houses, who have been in Auckland for Fleet Week, will leave on the return trip to Wellington, on Monday night, at 10 o'clock. The journey will be made via the Main Trunk Railway over land all the way. A MAORI WELCOME. AUCKLAND, August 14. Surrounded by a warmly interested gathering of Maoris, the big native canoe Taheretikitikj was put together near the rowing sheds on the King's Drive this morning. The craft, which was displayed at the Christohurch Exhibition, was brought back to Auckland in sections, and considerable delay has ensued on its reconstruction. After lunch today the canoe, manned by sixty warriors, from the Waikato, with another craft of smaller dimensions, the Tehiki, with 42 oars, left its temporary moorings on a cruise around the visiting warships.

The two crafts proceeded right round the Fleet, and hailed each of the vessels in the characteristic, greetings of typical Maori warmth, meeting with hearty response from the bluejackets. In charge of the Taheretikitiki was King Malmta, while Kiri Opn, a noted chief, captained the. Tehiki. The sight of the primitive war canoes ranged beside the mighty battleships appealed to the beholder in more senses than one, and no small interest was taken by the American visitors in witnessing the representation by the Maoris of methods ot navigation which prevailed centuries ago. The hearty greetings extended to the visiting sailors in the Maori tongue were, of course, understood by few on the battleships, but one and all were'easily able to appreciate the animated spirit in which the welcome was extended.

A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. Received August 14, 9.5 p.m. NEW YORK, August H. I Admiral Sperry has cabled to Pre.- j oident Roosevelt that the New Zealand Government and people had accorded the American Fleet a must enthusiastic reception, and also that Sir J. G. War,l had presented him with a beautiful token for President Roosevelt with an invitation to visit the Dominion. President Roosevelt has cabled to Admiral Sperry in reply:—"l am greatly pleased with the telegram. Convey to Sir J. G. Ward my hearty thanks. Express the sincere regard, friendship and admiration the people of United States entertain for the people of New Zealand, and extend my congratulations to the Fleet."