FLEET WEEK AND AFTER.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 279, 18 August 1908, Page 5

FLEET WEEK AND AFTER.

STATEMENT BY THE'MAYOR. RETURN OF THE "PARLIAMENTARY ' .SPECIAL." (BY TELEGRAPH, —SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) Auckland, August 17. Tho really beautiful weather that, lasted throughout tho ontire stay of the Fleet'gave place this morning to drenching rain. Luckily. tho decorations were practically all torn down early' in tho forenoon thus preventing the sorry ' spectacle of drooping, dripping flags and depressing rain-soaked greenery. The city seems empty, so great has been the oxodus. .

The Deserters. , The rumours as to deserters seem to have been greatly exaggerated. It is now stated that in all 14 cases of desertion from the battleships wero reported to the Auckland police. On Saturday morning five men were found in time to bo placed on tho Connecticut before the Fleet sailed, and six caught in the afternoon were placed on board tho auxiliary vessel, tho Yankton. Whether' all of them, really intended desertion is doubtful. , There are still three, mon unaccounted for, and it is believed they are "lying low" somewhere in tho city. As some kind c? a sot-off it is statod that when tho Fleet sailed it had with it two New Zealand lads who signed on.

Rumoured Stabbing Affray. ; A persistent rumour _ was'.. circulated on, Thursday that an American sailor had been stabbed, but diligent inquiries failed to disclose, any corroboration, and tho police-re-garded tho rumour as a hoax. There is some ground, however, for believing that a dispute took place between' two firemen on board one of the ships, and that the dispute led to a fight in which one, a negro, slashed the other across the abdomen with a razor. It was stated by sOme sailors that tho injury had resulted in the death of ono, and that the other man was to be hanged when the Fleet got beyond the threemile limit; but an officer..who had heard something of the occurrence stated that the prisoner would be taken in irons to America. While ono report stated/ that. the wounded man had died, it was reported in other quarters that tho injury was only a slight one. The Auckland police know nothing of tho matter, as, of course,: nil affray taking place on board one of . the warships might just as well havo been in New-York as far as the New Zealand police, aro concerned. The Mayor Gratified. In .conversation with a "Herald" representative on Saturday, tho Mayor (Mr. A. M. Myers) said that Fleet -Week had certainly attracted^to Auckland a lot. of people who might otherwise not have visited this oity, and all of whom wore surprised at its growth. It had been especially gratifying to Mr. Myers that a number, of Boutherll visitors had expressed to him their pleasure at being present at tho festivities.. ■ .The. events of the week had entirely removed any tinge of regret that might' have been felt that the Fleet was not able to visit any southern port, .as it was realised that "Auckland did mora justico to the reception than any other city could lrnvo done. Visitors from tho south, therefore, foil that thoy could with justification and pride enter into tho success achieved by Auckland, seeing that it was not an Auckland, but a Dominion, reception,.., This,, tho Mayor added, was the ' universal .opinion ..of the Mayors and representatives of other centres. Work Resumed. ~ A message from the Thames states that operations in the majority of the mines there werb considerably retarded during tho past week owing to tho gonorar exodus to Auckland to take part in tho'Fleet celebrations.' For the first day or two.,tlie ■ whole..district woro a desortod appearance, but the minors gradually returned and most of the prin-. cipal concerns wero ablo to resumo work in tho middle of tho week, though with a limited number of hands. Legislators Return. The return "Parliamentary Special," conveying tho Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) and the majority of tho members' of Parliamenfc who havo been visiting Auckland duVing the past week, left for Wellington, via tho Main Trunk line, at 10.20 this evening. Taumarunui will bo readied early tomorrow morning, so that the portion of the lino which has not yet been handed over to tho Public Works Department may be negotiated in tho daylight. Tho train is expected to arrive at Wellington at 6.10 o clock to-morrow evening, and to pass through Palmerston North about. 2 p.m. Tho -weather hero is very wet, but it is not expected that tho rain will interfere in any way with- tho safety of tho line. About the samo number of people as 1 came hero by tho train will make the return trip by tho samo means. £20,000 SPENT IN AUCKLAND. (Dl- TELEGRAM—rRESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, August 17. .? It has been estimated that the men of -the' American Fleet alono spent at least £20,000 during, their stay in Auckland. The American Fleet passed Cape Maria at 4.45 1 a.m. 1 on Sunday. Tho wind was a light north-easter, and tho weather clear and fine. ! "EVENTFUL AND HISTORICAL.'.' (BX TELEGRAM—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, August 17. Sir Joseph Ward stated to-day that tho visit, of tho United States Fleet would bo long remembered by all Now Zealanders who had been present. It was, ho said, eventful and historical. _____