AMERICA'S FLEET.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 90, 14 April 1908, Page 5

AMERICA'S FLEET.

' : 'AUCIKIAKD; F_ESfiyiT±Es. ': s - . PROPOSED MAORI HUL "KLNG" MAfIUTU'S, OPINION. It is likely that: one- of the most interesting features, in inaking a gala week, on the . occasion of ; the American fleet's visit, to-. Auckland, will be the holding of a great Maori hui on Vie-, toria. Park. ; But few of, those I visitingNew Zealand:with the fleet-will have theoppdrtunrtyof witnessing the sights of Rotorua, and personally viewiiig the. customs of the native races. In order: that the Maoris- may therefore not be! excluded, from,; the- great;- welcome to •be accorded, to the Armada, and also to al-. low a- vivid- presentation of - habits andcustoms of.the race, if is proposed that a large encampment should be held inAuckland. With a view to gaining: a. general idea of what- form .such a Maori gathering would'-''take, a "Star" representative this - morning interviewed several gentlemen who are in a position.to speak' oh the. subject. ', '

Mr. C. C. Daere, who was one of the. committee Identified with the big Maori gathering held at, North Shore some six, years ago, said-that the venture upon, that- occasion was., not altogether; to -be regarded as a success, and the sum. 0f£1,400, taken at the gates,. did-not-cover- expenses. A similar on; the occasion of the American.fleet's visit, however, would no doubt be a muchbigger success. The' Maoris, would en-. ter into the, patriotic spirit of welcome,' and the fact that Auckland would bethronged : by, 20,000 or 30,0,00, visitors,, as well, as the members of the fleet itself, •would, in all probability, tend to. the making of such a venture a brilliant financial success. "Aquatics would, probably be out of the question," Mr. Daere added, "but possibly, the- Maoris would-be able-to raise a few, canoes, arid initiate the Americans into the delights of a hurdle race. If the Bay of Islands; Kaipara, Rotorua and, Waikato Maoris could be induced to send contingents down to Auckland, there is no doubt but that the Maori encampment would be one of the greatest attractions we could place befbre Our American visitors. Mr. J. St. Clair, who also takes a prominent interest in Maori gatherings, of this kind, was very much in favour of the. proposal. He pointed out that it'would be necessary .for the Government to make concessions on the railway, and to otherwise offer such facilities aswould make it possible for the-, Maoris to spend a week in Auckland. The warriors of-, the different tribes would, make, a fine show, and the opportunity would be provided to every member of the fleet to acquaint, himself with native, customs, and enjoy the native performances, such as hakas, poi and other na-. tive dances, etc. "The- fact that the Maoris would be unable to provide an. aquatic display is to be-regretted," said Mr. St., Clair, "and gives rise to the alternative suggestion that the Government should run special trains from Auckland to Mercer or Ngaruawahia, and thus enable the visitors to witness a similar native regatta to that which is annually held on March 17. It would be an easy matter to arrange such a display, in which. several thousand na;-; five's would'''participate,' and the" trip to and fro could/be managed in a single, day." Another gentleman, taking a, prominent interest in Maori matters, said the suggestion would strongly commend itself to the Waikato tribes, but it was questionable if the Rotorua natives would be agreeable to coming away, since they believed in making Rotorua the tourists* Mecca and. would prefer to see as many of the American visitors as possible in the thermal regions. The Waikato and Ngatikahungungu (East Coast) tribes would, however, most likely be only too willing to act on such a suggestion, and. there would be no difficulty in working up a great Maori gathering to assist in welcoming the Maori visitors..

King Mahutii, who is -at present in Auckland j expressed himself' as. highly enthusiastic over the idea of welcoming the Armada. He. agrees that it would only be possible to transport a fey*, ofthe visitors to, Rotorua, and, says he is thoroughly in'favour of the Maori people joining with the parieka in, giving, the Americans a tremendous ovation on their arrival in Auckland. The question of getting the natives down to Auckland, and providing for their wants while; in camp is a matter, which the chiefs would need to give careful consideration to, and Mahuta suggests that the tribes should at onc;e be communicated with, and the importance of the project laid before them. He further believes that a native gathering could be held in Auckland- on such a scale as has never been known before, and a great Maori programme presented which would appeal alike to city residents and country visi : tors as well as those included in the great company of the Armada. "You can say that I am thoroughly with the pakeha in the desire to give the Americanfleet a great welcome, and that I will be only too. glad to join with them to help welcome our brothers from across, the sea. As the representative of the original owners of the soil, it will be a pleasure to mc to welcome them, and that pleasure will be shared by my people." MEETING OF" CITIZENS CONVENED. The Mayor of Auckland (Mr. A- Mi Myers) has sent the following telegram to the Premier, who is at Lawrence:—; "Referring to the visit of the United States fleet, Auckland desires to make the welcome worthy of the importance of the event. I am calling a public meeting for Friday, 24th, to initiate pro r gramme. Will you kindly indicate the intentions of the Government in this matter for the guidance of any committees to be set up, and to prevent efforts clashing, and I would also be glad to be informed of the date of arrival, length of stay, probable number'of ship's officers and crews, and any other particulars you can furnish." The Mayor has convened a meeting of citizens to be held in the Council Chambers at 4 o'clock on Friday, 24th insfc., at which committees will be set up to draw up a programme for the entertainr ment of- the officers and men of the fleet. WrLL. PARLIAMENT ADJOURN? .Asked what the Government intended doing in the matter of assisting to welcome the American fleet to New Zealand waters,, the Hon. Mr. McGowan this morning informed a "Star" representative that Cabinet had not yet discussed the question. "Personally," said 'the Minister, "I am in favour of the proposal to adjourn Parliament for a week to. enable Ministers and- members of both Houses to visit. Auckland and participate in the welcome to America's fteet. The'question of adjournment, howowcr, wiU depend entirely

upon the feeling-of'members, and hoy? the proposal is viewed by'them.' The probability is that' the national' import-: ance of the occasion will commend itself to, themj in Which case the- House-will adjourn, to' enable- to journey to Auckland to do- honour-to a. great and friendly power I" •" " _ "The question of -the-' Government assisting iri the arrangements to welcomethe fleet will-probably be discussed; at the first Cabinet meeting "Mr. Me&owan. added. "No doubt the Government will : take steps commensurate with the- im-, pbrtance of ; the- eventjbut at present no-, scheme has been- formulated, and it is, impossible to disclose what action- will-; be taken in the-matter." '" • Asked 1 what he thought of the -proposal ■ to make the occasion of" the Armada's visit one for the assemblage- of- a large Maori'hui in Auckland; and-'thus-provide visitors with the opportunity-of witness-, ing native customs, Mr. McGowan replied that he. was not altogether- enamoured of the suggestion. "It would no doubt be'; 'a feature Of interest to the- Americans," the Minister, added, "but -there are numerous- difficulties in the road; Further than that, the Americans 7 see. plenty of natives in their own, country. Give the visitors a gay week ashore, with a big round of bright; sociaL functions, and you" will find that they' j will go away well pleased' with their -visit to- Auckland." JACK TO DANCE WITH THE.ELITE. HONOURS FOR .'MEN. OF FLEET. When the steamer Aeon left Sari Francisco great .preparations were, being' made there, for the "reception of = the American fleet. The "Sari • Francisco Chronicle" says:— ■'"■' * Society women will dance with the jackfes of the" fleet; - The ladies of the California Club have accepted the invi-' tatioh of the committee- for the entertainment of enlisted men of the fleet toattend to all the details of the reception and ball to the men. There will be no distinction as to class in this social demonstration in honour of the bluejackets of the United States Navy, except that: the women attending the" ball will be; : there on invitations sent through the California Club.

At a meeting of a large committee, which represented the club, before the fleet. entertainment committee, Mrs. Cornwall said she had spoken to several, society matrons about the- ball, and all had expressed their desire to dance with: the American sailors. Mrs. Griffin suggested that Invitations be sent to maa-j bers-of the Garment Workers,! the Wait--| resses, the Laundry Workers and other unions, and the suggestion • met with, unanimous approval. ">

The only question of importance iri connection with the great ball is the. selection- of a pavilion, or; two pavilions, which may be needed owing to the large number of, invitations that will be- sent out, and the probability of the presence. Of thousands of sailors. It was decided that ho-intoxicants be served-at the/ball, and that the liquid refreshment ; be confined to lemonade.'.; ; r

The, committee, on. decorations was, allowed 6000dols. for flags and banners with which t'o'decorate the'line of Marcn from thri water front along Market-; street and out Van Ness avenue.' * The ( entire scheme Will be worked out in American flags, grouped ori the trolley poles, 100 feet apart. An immense illuminated' welcome is to be erected/upon', top of Telegraph Hill, the letters to be fifty feet high, rind to face'south. . - GRAND, REVIEW ARRANGED., • "It is the intention of- the Navy Deipartment to assemble both the Atlantic and Pacific fleets at San Francisco, in May, at which time the Secretary of the Navy will review the combined fleet. The Yorktown will be the reviewing ship and will be anchored off.. the, Oakland pier ready to receive the Secretary, o£ the .navy at the time.. of_ the review. The Pacific fleet will arrive at San Francisco on May sth- The review will take : place on May : B.ih. After the Secretary of the Navy has. reviewed the. fleet and the Yorktown hr.s anchored.at the head of the line, the flag and commanding officers of both' fleets will be'receiyed by him on board the Yorktoiyn. Ori the . day of the Teview all vessels will be fully j dressed arid at night the ships will be illuminated." '' •'• ' - '"'