VISIT OF THE U.S. FLEET.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 213, 2 June 1908, Page 7

VISIT OF THE U.S. FLEET.

GOVERNMENT PREPARED TO SPEND ; £5000. , : On' Saturday Messrs'. 1 T. E. Donne and T. H. Hamer, the' United States Fleet Entertainment Commissioners, appointed by the Government, had a conference with Sir Joseph Ward with respect to ,the programme -,f festivities and entertainment to ha. offered to the officers and men of the American fleet whilst in,' Auckland. A number of very <«- collent suggestions were made by the Commissioners, most of which will bo submitted to His Excellency'the Governor, the Mayor of Auckland (Mr. A. Myers), and City Council, and also to the American Consul (Mr. W.' A. Prickett).' , The Government aro prepared to spend up to £5000 in entertaining tho American visitors. ■ .1 .- -Messrs. Hamer and Donne leave for Auckland this morning. With-' the Governnjent spending 'about £1000 a day/, apart from what the Auckland City Council and citizens are prepared io do towards entertaining the American sailors, the six days' sojourn in Auckland will hot soon bo forgotten. CONFERENCE OF AUCKLAND LOCAL BODIES.

[D 7 TKLEGKAFn. —I'ItESB ASSOCIATION.] Auckland, Juno 1. ■ A conference of, Mayors and Chairmen of ocal bodies took tf&iJe at the Council Chambers this afternoon to consider various matters, connected with tho civic reception to clod to the visiting American Fleet. , Tho Mayor (Mr. Myers) said the meeting was called to considor the financial aspect of the reception. It could be dope by private subscription, or by the various local bodies voting tho necessary funds out of their own moneys, so that each would contribute a portion to its share. The Government, when approached, had agreed to givo the necessary ledslntivo authority for this vote. It was difficult to decide until tho Government had definitely stated their programme what the local bodies should do. Ho estimated , an f x ES!$ tur ?, b y tho local bodies of at least £3000. Matters, such as illumination and tho, erection of landing stages, camo within tho immediate province of the Harbour Board. Mr. M'Farlane said that although he could not pledge the Harbour Board, he was suro they would enter heartily into any general scheme put forward. Ibo Mayor said thero was a necessity for them to make up their minds definitely on this subject, and place the matter before their respective Councils. till^Friday' SOUSS '° n ' meo ' , ' n £ adjourned At a meeting of tho Auckland Temperance Crusaders to-night, a resolution wis carried that tho Mayor bo requested to use his influence to have all hotel tars closed durinr the visit of the-American Fleet to Auckland