THE AMERICAN FLEET.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LIII, Issue LIII, 17 August 1908, Page 5

THE AMERICAN FLEET.

DESERTIONS FROM THE FLEET.

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AUCKLAND, August 16.

Already the Inspector of Police has in his charge two deserters from the battleships, and has been requested by the Consul-General (Mr W. A. Prickitt) to hold them until a guard ' from the auxiliary Yankton (which is still in Auckland) can come ashore to take them on board. The men will then be taken to Sydney, where they will again be placed on their respective vessels.

During the week about 12 deserters were reported to the Consul-General, but many of these may have been returned to their ships, as the cases were reported daily.

CONGRATULATIONS ALL ROUND.

AUCKLAND, August 16.

"I do not know that anything could have been bet^r carried out or designed," said the Prime Minister on being asked for his opinion as to the arrangements and festivities in connection with fleet week. • "The whole of the programme has been admirably handled from beginning to end. When one considers the large number of people who landed from the fleet and the fact that only five full days have been available for carrying through the comprehensive programme, the result is, to my mind, creditable beyond expression. There has not been a miscarriage of any single arrangement."

Regarding the Rotorua visit, Sir Joseph Ward remarked that the Admiral had said that bo had seen war dances, etc., performed by Indians and several other native races, but he had never seen anything to approach those of the Maoris 'of Rotorua for' gracefulness and . impressiveness.

Rear-Admiral Sir Richard Poore assures the committee the celebration will long be remembered with great pleasure.

AUCKLAND, August 17. , The American fleet passed Cape Maria at 4.45 a.m. on Sunday in fine weather.