THE AMERICAN FLEET.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 149, 24 June 1908, Page 2

THE AMERICAN FLEET.

HAEBOUK BOARD DULUMINATIONS. A BIG PROGRAMME. [£1000 TO BE SPENT. ■ 'At yesterday afternoon's meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board, the Special Standing Committee recommended that in connection with the visit of the American fleet the engineer should be instructed to prepare a plan for temporary- shelter and conveniences for the comfort of the men upon Queen-street wharf. The committee also recommended that strings of fairy lights be placed on each side of Queen-street wharf, Quay-street front, and on the sheds at the outer eastern and outer western, tees. The offices at the front and two ends, it was recommended, should also be illuminated. . It was further suggested that an address be prepared for presentation to the Admiral on his landing, and that a sub-committee consisting of the Chairman, Messrs. Basley and Napier, be appointed to supervise illuminations and prepare the address.

The Chairman (Hon. E. Mitchelson), in, speaking of the question of illuminations, said that he had made inquiries, and found that the City Council would be unable to provide the necessary electric power for lighting purposes. The citizens would utilise all that the City Council could supply, so that it would Jbe necesary to look elsewhere, for the power to supply the illuminations proposed by the Board. The position now "was that the Government was sending an electrical engineer to assist in the display. The Government had sent up the whole of its electrical plant, and the electrical engineer, in discussing the mat tef with him (Mr Mitchelson) had statec that the Great Northern Roller Hour Milling premises, and adjacent buildings, in Quay-street, would provide opportunities unequalled in New Zealand for a good display. The Milling Company and other firms, it was thought, might .lend their machinery for the generating of electric power. In the case of the post-office, and Victoria Arcade tower, it was hoped that the Brett Printing and Publishing Company would allow the use of .its machinery for providing Electrical power. Another suggestion ■was that the word "Welcome," in 14ft. letters, should be displayed at the Calliope dock. The illumination of TSTew Zealand" on Endean's buildings, or the Harbour Board buildings was also proposed, and to secure this effect it would be necessary to put in a gas engine and a dynamo. A signal station was also to be provided on the tower of the outer •wharf. Mr Napier suggested that the committee should be given power to act, provided that they did not spend more than £1000. He also raised the question of shelter accommodation for the men, and contended that the expenditure of £500 in the erection of sheds might be obviated by the use of one or two of the old sheds. Mr Glover pointed out that August ■was the very worst month in the year, and last August there were 25 wet days, so that ample accommodation should be provided. The Teport of the sub-committee was adopted, and the expenditure limited to !£IOOO.

J>EOOEATIOSr SCHEME ADOPTED.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES. 'At the meeting of the Executiye Committee yesterday afternoon the scheme of decorations for Qaeen-street, a3 outlined in yesterday's issue of the "Star," ■was adopted, as were also the proposals an. connection, with, .the illumination of the arc-lies.' In addition, after conferring with Mr A. WylHe (CSty Council electrician), it was decided to illuminate Quay-street end the landing stages with 12-flame are lamps, each of 2000 candle power. Cross festoons, with about 120 lamps ■will be placed at each of the following Costonn-street, Fort-street, Vulcan-lane, and Wel-iesley-street. -• -

The Mayors of Itevonport, Birkenhead *nd JWtiieote will make arrangements *»• «ie inannnations od tie Bevonport foreshore. It is proposed to utilise about 600 kerosene torches, of -which about 400 -wfll .be placed along the waterifront from Stanley Point to Yentnor •House, at intervals of a chain. The remainder ■Wα! he erected tm Mt. Victoria. The committee consider that this arrangement Trail prove more effective than eet pieces or other illuminations. Other sub-committees will take in .Hand the decoration ; of the side streets of tie. city, " -' SroSTGAIi ENTEBTArNMENTS. The Executive Committee have secured $hp services of a ■prasg band to Jky in Queen-street '. and Karangahape-road «*cn evening during fleet week. It (is proposed that a choir add orchestra shall Tender a musical programme at the civic xeception at tie Brill HalL The foliow3ng committee has been appointed to supervise;these performances: Messrs H ■Brett (president of the Auckland Chorai and Orchestral Societies), J. B. MarfarJane (member of the Choral ana Orches- ?! T' W& (member of; the Choral Society), Edmfeton (secretary of the Orchestral Society), and S £S3s. (secretai7ofthe^^