THE PACIFIC FLEET.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 221, 11 June 1908, Page 7

THE PACIFIC FLEET.

WHY IT SAILED. ■"<" SPEECH BY ADMIRAL EVANS. WHAT THE PRESIDENT TOLD HIM. IT lILEORArn—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COrIBIOHI : (Rec. Juno 11, 0.55 a.m.) Fromantla, Juno 10: News by mail states tlmt Admiral Jivaiis, '7: in -the courso of his remarks at a farewell dinner prior to tho American Racific Fleet (of which ho was formerly commander-in- . . 7 chief), leaving San Francisco,-said:' " If .you ask me-why the fleet was sent to ; tho Pacific, I can only say that I was ! told to bring it . hero. ■ ' • ■ ".'When wo wore about to start, I was'as? 7 ; 7!7 sured. by the' President and tho Secretary 'ot the Navy/that it -was purely a peace cruiso, .but ; that! we must .'be prepared to light if bocessary." . ' THE AUCKLAND PROGRAMME. . PROPOSED RACE MEETING. 7'77' [by ti: leg p. a.l'll, —riii:£s association.] , ' . Auckland, Juno 10. 7 ' . •; •:■" The; w'arships iri; port on the. occasion ,of ■ , -'. tho. Visit of the Amorican fleet' will' fie' dis-" '. posed in " two lines, the inner line having three British .vessels in the centre, and foiir .' American vessols at each end. The second ■. ■ line,, will /of oight: American vessols. •■■ v. 1 ; V;;; - '''j; ■

There arc three teams of lacrosse players on;.tho. American fleet.: The Auckland Lacrosse Association has approached tho Entor- ■ taihment Committee' with a-vieiv. to arrang- '. ing'a' game'between the fleet, representatives ■ and' representatives-.of Auckland or a Dominion team. • ■ ■ •' Owing, to unforeseen exigencies the' official , prograinnio for the'week during..which tho American .'fleet will ■ be in Auckland Harbour has been, amended t-o some, little extent. On ■; tho "Tuesday, instead 'of the military khana , and races during 7 the day and tho Mayoral reception at night, the programme .; has, been so altered .that , the gymlihana will' be abandoned. The Mayoral reception will take place- in -tho afternoon, and .at night . the. State, ball, which had previously been arranged for Friday,'will be, held. It has been . deteidod'"to" hold tho race meeting at Ellerslio , on the Wednesday, Commencing at 11' a.m., and finishing about 4 p.mi, if, it can bo satisfactorily arranged, and in ponheetion with , this meeting Mr. Donne and Mr: Hamer held j f. : conference with tho Auckland Racing-Club \ nst : night, and ..went into tho question of en- .-, deayoiiring■ to obtain ;a.totalisator. permit for > -.'tEis, special', meeting.'': - This; matter lias not, been . finally sottled, and communication upon ; it 'is'still going. "on with the Minister for- Internal Affairs, but' a; new: and unlooked-for : factor has cropped up to cmbarrass the situa-. . Mori, which .is ..that, one of the' -Racing Glub rules -provides that-no club shall liold more . than'four, meetings in tho year, and on this point _the secretary- of tho A.R.C.'is at present V in. .communication \ jyith the President Df. the Racing Conference. - To;overcome'oho, ; ; ortwo j minor " difficulties, and to contribute r.,to ■" the general- ' V success, ' of this . -race • meeting, • a number of ..racing, and othor peoplo in. the" city have lUggestedithat,\if practicable, it would he. in oxcollent arrangement generally, - and a very graceful concession on: the' part : of the v Canterbury people' in-endeavouring to make the visit of our American cousins a. thorouglily enjoyable and memorable ono-. for the Canterbury Joekoy Club to hold its Stee-, . ■ plechaso meeting 'on. the' Elle'rslie racecourse during Fleet Week. •' \ ■ The Consul-General (Mr. Pnckett) yesterday. forwarded to Admiral Sperry a pro- : - gramme,:.,of the festivities. to -, be. tendered. the . .fleot ; during 'the week's stay, in 'Auckland.' " This'commuriic'ation, it'is expected,'will roach Admiral Sperry'before'tho'fleet'leaves Saii Francisco,, which will. be>Jabout ; July. 6'. ' A reply.is.oxpccted to be cabled to the Consul . from Suva, which will be; the last port; the fleet will call at before leaving for Auckland. Messrs. Donne and' Hanior, • Government Entertainment.Commissioners, leave 1 for Rotorua to-morrow to <mako arrangements -for : the. reception of. the.officers, of. the fleet upon . their arrival in tho thermal, regions.