THE BATTLESHIP FLEET.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 197, 18 August 1908, Page 5

THE BATTLESHIP FLEET.

MEANING OF THE CRUISE. PEACE IN THE PACIFIC. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received 8.40 a.m.) LONDON, August 17. The "Spectator" says that the cruise of the United States -Navy ought to mean, peace in the" Pacific if mischief-makers are not allowed to represent the navy as a weapon to be used in the race feud between the English-speaking peoples and Asiatics. THE BRITISH WELCOME. IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. (Received 8.5 a.m.) LONDON, August 17. "The Times" writes that the British rather envy Australians and New Zealanders having the first opportunity of welcoming the American fleet. It considers that the Admiralty acted wisely in not attempting an equal display of naval force in Australian and New Zea-

land waters, and it is better to defer the full greeting of the British navy until the American fleet reaches the Mediterranean, when a British fleet of ironclads will accord the welcome. VISIT TO ITALY. (Received 9-30 ajn.) LONDON, August 17. Washington telegrams state that part of the United States fleet visits Genoa and Naples, and possibly Leghorn and Palermo. " j SYDNEY ALL PREPARED. VISITORS FLOCKING IN. (Received 9.45 ajn.) SYDNEY, this day. The city is filling with country and inter-State visitors for fleet week, which commences on Thursday. Thousands are arriving daily. Excepting in detail work the reception committee reports that everything is ready for the fleet. The weather is bright but cold, with snow on the highlands. THE PRIME MINIiiTEE'S THANKS. "EXTREMELY GRATIFYING." Before leaving for Wellington last evening, the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) forwarded two letters to the Mayor (Mr A. M. Myere). The first i ids as follows:—"I have the honour, on behalf of the Government, to thank you, as president, and the members of the Citizens' Entertainment Committee for the valuable services rendered in connection with tho recent visit to Auckland of the American fleet. To the general executive of the committee, which so trenerously and cheerfully placed their valuable time for several weeks at the disposal of the public, the Government desires to especially place on record iv best thanks. The results of its labours must be extremely gratifying, and will, no doubt, recompense the committee for any inconvenience which must ha.ye been experienced in carrying out self-imposed and arduous duties. ,.

ln his second letter, Sir Joseph says: "I have the honour to convey to you the thanks of the Governor for the spontaneous assistance rendered by yourself, as Mayor of the City of Auckland, and by your councillors, in preparing for the roception and entertainment of tbe Admiral, officers, and men of the American fleet. With pleasure I formed the opinion, freely expressed, that the week's programme has been carried out in a manner which reflects the greatest credit on all concerned. I am also in a position to state that the arrangements throughout were highly appreciated by our distinguished visitors, as well as by those residents of the Dominion who were fortmnate enough to be present on the great occasion." The following letter from' the Prime Minister was read at the meeting of the Harbour Board to-day:—"On behalf of the Government I have the honour to thank the Auckland Harbour Board for its cordial assistance in contributing so materially towards the unqualified success of the visit of the American fleet to Auckland, and also to congratulate the Board on the completeness of all harbour arrangements in connection therewith. The arrangements generally for the reception and entertainment of the members of I the fleet reflect the greatest credit on all concerned. THE SHOOTING MATCH. Lieutenant-Colonel Reed has received the following communication from Admiral Sperry:— "The Commander-in-chief of the United States Atlantic fleet thanks you, and through you the Auckland district volunteers, for the hospitality and many courtesies extended to the rifle team of this fleet during our stay in Auckland. Aside from your generosity in turning over your rifle range for the use of tbe fleet during our stay, and in the presentation of the Auckland Cup, the Commander-in-chief appreciates the fraternal and sportsmanlike spirit which prompted the numerous courtesies, both of an official and a personal nature. Tbe memory of the rifle match, which was shot on August 13, will ever be a source of pleasure to the fleet team, and the Commander-in-chief unites with them in congratulating tbe Auckland volunteers on their victory." THE VOYAGE TO SYDNEY. The s.s. Moana, which arrived from Sydney this morning, passed Cape Maria van Diemen yesterday afternoon, having, on her tiip across, seen nothing of the fleet. This was probably due to her deviation in search of the Hawea, resulting in her passsin" more to the north when nearing the Cape. The Moana reports fine and clear weather on the Tasman Sea, with a moderate east_rly swell, while on the New Zealand coaat the weather was thick. As the fleet passed the Cape on Sunday morning under clear conditions, it would appear that the battleships must be having a good trip across. A USEFUL PRESENT. The Marine Department has presented Admiral Sperry and the _M__n_i of each of the battleships in tbe American fleet -with copies of Captain -fl-ck-urne- new nautical tables and shook of charts, made

tip for the first time in handy book form. The work is not new to the Americans, Lieutenant G. W. Logan, the editor of Bowditch's American Practical Navigator. the standard* work on navigation in the United States, having reviewed the book in a eulogistic letter to Captain Blackburne.