NAPIER IMPROVEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 198, 19 August 1908, Page 5

NAPIER IMPROVEMENTS.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NAPIER, this day. The Working Men's Club last night carried a proposal to call competitive designs for a plan for a new building, the cost not to exceed £10,0000. A premium of 100 guineas is offered for the best plan. The tender for the construction of the municipal bath largely exceeded the amount authorised by the loan (£6000), and the Council will modify the plans and call fresh tenders.

SYDNEY'S WELCOME. GREAT EXCITEMENT. CITY GAILY DECORATED. (Received 10.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. The city is simmering with excitement, and strenuous efforts are being made to complete the preparations before the arrival of the fleet to-morrow. The transportation of enormous crowds to the coastline and harbour foreshores will tax to the utmost tram and steamer facilities. A big fleet of steamers has been engaged to meet and escort the warships. The weather promises to be fine, and the city wears an exceedingly gay appearance. NEW ZEALAND COMMISSIONERS THANKED. FLEET RECEPTION. As chairman of the Executive of the Auckland Fleet Reception Committee, his Worship the Mayor (Mr A. M. Myers) has forwarded the following letter to Messrs Donne and Hamer: — "Dear Sirs,—As Mayor of Auckland, and on behalf of the Citizens' Reception Committee, I have the honour to express to you our appreciation of the able manner in which you discharged the arduous duties that fell to your lot in carrying out the Government's portion of the programme in connection with the reception of the United States fleet at Auckland, and to congratulate you heartily on the success that crowned your efforts. The arrangements made for the memorable trip to Rotorua, for which you were entirely responsible, reflected, if I may be permitted to say so, the highest credit on your executive ability, and I hear on all sides nothing but the warmst praise from those who were privileged to tai<e part in this excursion. The cordial manner in which you fell in with the wishes of the members of the Citizens' Reception Committee also materially contributed to the success of the arrangements made for tho entertainment of our visitors.—Yours faithfully, (Signed) ARTHUR M. MYERS, Mayor and Chairman of the Citizens' Reception Committee." A FRUITLESS QUEST. THE DISAPPOINTED VETERANS. In our columns of Monday it was stated that, although the members of the Veterans' Association were armed with a special permit to board on Friday any of the American battleships not coaling, they had to return to town disappointed, after chartering a steamer for the purpose. The American Con-sul-General (Mr W. A. Prickitt) has forwarded the following reference to the subject to Commander A. W. Grant, Chief of Staff, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, U.S.S. Connecticut, at Sydney:— "I beg to enclose herewith a clipping from the "Auckland Star" of the 17th inst., expressing the disappointment of the members of the Veterans' Association at not being able to go on board the U.S. battleships on Friday afternoon last, although I had made arrangements with you for their visit, and they carried my card of introduction. "I regret this incident, which seems to be the only case where the arrangements failed to give satisfaction." A copy of the clipping is enclosed in the letter. SETTLERS FROM AMERICA. FAVOURABLE PROSPECTS. The local Government Tourist 75urca-u in Customs-street West has .experienced an exceptionally busy week. "We have had a great excess over the ordinary number of callers," said Mr C. Wallnutt, officer in charge, to a "Star" representative to-day, "and very many, including American officers, were strangers to the Dominion. The office was open every day during fleet week, and a large amount of business was accomplished, while the distribution of pamphlets, guides and maps was very large indeed." Mr Wallnutt states that a considerable number of American officers from the fleet called to make inquiries in regard to the Dominion as a place for settlement. Some spoke of making n, start on the land in New Zealand, returning here after their period of service had expired. They wished to ascertain all particulars concerning the prices and classes of land, and the chances of commencing for themselves with certain capital. Inquiries were also instituted as to the best parts of the Dominion for settlement. Many expressed themselves enamoured of the country, with the glowing accounts they had read of it, and the results of their own observations during their stay here. All these callers were supplied with settlement guides and other information relating to the subject, "ft could be easily seen," said Mr Wallnutt, "that they at once appreciated the conditions prevailing in New Zealand. They expressed the opinion that it was a splendid country in which to settle, and, I think, from what I have seen, that in the near future we should get many settlers from America." AN UNFOUNDED ALLEGATION. Wellington has, according to a Southern exchange, evidently been troubling itself over the alleged veracity of a statement that its "welcome banner" was suspended out of sight of the main arteries of traffic, in High-street. Questioned by a Wellington reporter, Mr J. R. Palmer, Town Clerk, who has been visiting Auckland, spoke in high terms of Auckland's suitability for the purpose, and said that no street could have looked as nice as Queen-street did. The conception of the idea of a flag welcome was, he said, a very happy one, aud it was peculiarly suited to the occasion. Asked about the statement that Wellington's flag was hoisted in High-street, a narrow side street running parallel with Queenstreet, Mr Falmcr characterised it as incorrect. As a matter of fact, the Empire City's flag was prominently placed at the corner of Welles-ley-street East and Queen-street, just in the line of the procession, and no one on the main street could miss it." MISCELLANEOUS. Ensign Robert Emmet, of the U.S.S. Connecticut, and a descendant of the famous Irish patriot, will, wfien «n shore at Sydney, be the guest of his Eminence Cardinal Moran. Two hundred bags of newspapers are being sent from Auckland to America, and one hundred via Wellington to England. It is estimated that 150,000 post-cards, chiefly for America, were posted last week. The Maori canoes Tnherctikitiki and Tekihi were conveyed back to King Mahuta's village in the Wailcato by train to-day.