THE AMERICAN FLEET.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 146, 19 June 1908, Page 2

THE AMERICAN FLEET.

\ KIOGrIAMME COMPLETED. ' GrEN_RAIr COMMITTEE MEETING. The programme for the reception and entertainnient of the Ameircan fleet was finally compl-eced by the' executive committee at this morning's meeting; and "will be submitted for.approval to a meeting of the general reception committee ■£b be held at four o'clock this afternoon.

THE RACE MEETING.

The Mayor (Mr. A. M. Myers) received the following reply last evening from Er" George Cliffon, persident of the New 'Zealand Racing Conference, with respect ..to a telegram concerning the requested .. permission for a race meeting to be held at Elerslie on August 12: telegram seemed to imply the necessity "for my consent to held the race meeting, but I have no power to give or withhold consent, otherwise I would gladly consent, if you consider meeting advisable, would advise you going straight ahead ■ with prepa-ratioßs, relying upon the sanction of the Racing Conference, under the exceptional circumstances. Conference meets on July 23."

At tire meeting of the executive committee this morning, much gratification was expressed at the reply, and ti was decided that arrangements be accordingly put in hand. A conference has been arranged to t akeplace on Monday next ■between the committee and the presidents of the Auckland Racing and Takapuna and Avondale Jockey Clubs.

VETERANS' PARADE.

The Veterans' Association has arranged, through Major Morrow, for the use of a steamer for one day during fleet week for the use of the veterans and their families. The members of the Association will parade the combined fleets. The steamer will probably be one of tbe Devonport Ferry Company's fleet. A meeting of the Veterans' Committee ■will be held on Wednesday at the Drill Shed for the purpose of making arrangements for taking part in the military review. It is suggested to tender a smoke- concert to and petty and .men; with"_\three service.

THE DECORATIONS.

•Sir. T. Pearfson, landscape gardener to the City Council, armed from Rotorua last e-eening, and this morning consulted <wrtn the city engineer -with respect to the decorations on tie • arches. Hencefortii Mr. Pearson will he constantly engaged in designing the floral and greenery decorations. Mr Hamer,-Government Commissioner, returns from Wellington on Sunday, accompanied by Mr Riechel, Government Electrician, who will make arrangements for the electrical iUuminations to the Government buildings- An interview between the Mayor and .Mr Riechel baa been arranged with a view to the utilisation of portion of the material in the general, decorations.

THE. ETJEETS CKDISE,

Mr. T. E. Donne, Government Comrniseioner, has received the followirf* despatch, being copy of a telegram from iSj. the .Hsxeign office:— '• "The official- itinerary-of the- United gates Fleet is as follows:. — Leave San Francisco, July 7. Arrive Honolulu, July 16; leave July 23. At Auckland, August 9, August 15. Sydney, August 20, August 27. Melbourne, August 29, September 5. Albany, September 11, September 17. Arrive Philippines, October 1, leave October 10. Yokohama, October 17, October 24. This programme, which, is an official Communication of the United States : Government, leaves Pago Pago out of the itinerary. It has been stated that prob- i ably only two cruisers will call at Pago | Pago, altno'uh tne American Gonsul-Gene-ral in Auckland, Mr. W. A Prickett, has j received no communication to this MOEeet, j If, "being understood'that a visit by the i whole fleet to Pago Pago had been de- j cided upon. . ! '

TTTF, "WELCOME" BANKERS. I

BTRKKAHKAT) COUNCTLLOES' DONATION. The Birkenhead Borough Council, whilst approving of the suggestion of the Premier; -concerning " Welcome" banners, has decided that, having already resolved j to contribute from trie Borough funds as j large a sum- as-eould treasonably be ex- j pected, they cannot see their way to vote a further.sHm. The Councillors have, however, decided to forward a flag at tlieir own expense. The.town clerk has therefore been instructed to telegraph to the Frame" Minister" to the effect that the ; Borough.will thus provide a banner. j A correspondent of the " Taranaki Herald" writes: "1 would suggest that the Taranaki Volunteers and Militia colours be sent to Auckland as our contribution towards the display proposed. I believe they were the first colours presented in New Zealand, and the only ones having, or entitled to have, honours on them." j

WATTTT'S FLAG.

(By (Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) I T WATTTT, this day. | The Mayor was authorised by the Bor-1 ] ongb Council to procure a flag, in compli- < ance with the request of the Premier, for ! i exhibition during the forthcoming visit i of the American fleet to Auckland, with the inscription "Welcome from Waihi " inscribed thereon. ~ MAOKI CANOE. The old war canoe Taheretikitiki, "flagship" of the Ngawhatu chief, Paeoro Tuhaere," -will be exhibited in Auckland during fleet week. This canoe was taken from the Waikato to the Christchurch exhibition, whence it will bo returned to Auckland. it will be on the harbour and manned by a crew "of Maoris. The principal owner of this canoe is Mahuta-_ It is understood "that several of the' local boardiagliousese . and hotels will glightly" Increase their tariff for fleet