SYDNEY EXPECTANT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 281, 20 August 1908, Page 7

SYDNEY EXPECTANT.

UNITED STATES FLEET. A REHEARSAL OF THE DISPLAY. HUGE CROWDS. TELEGRAM—PMSS ASSOCIATION—COPtEISIIr.") Sydney, August 19. • The city is simmering with excitement. "Strenuous efforts are being made to complete the preparations before the arrival of the American Fleet. Tho transportation of the 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 bo fine. The city wears an exceedingly £iy appeaianco. WIRELESS FROM THE FLEET. -] Sydney, August 19. AV Reuter's wireless telegram from the United States Fleet;'dated' 8 .o'clock last night, states {—420: miles from Sydney"'; stiff westerly breezej heavy sea all day, moderating to-night. This caused some reduction in speed, but at 8 p.m.tfco Fleet speeded up to 12 knots in order to arrive at schedule tim& tiN THE KVE. GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S MESSAGE TO THE' ADMIRAL. (Reo. August 20, 0.40 a.m.) Sydnay, August 19. . Without approaching in degree the fine lisplay made in honour of the founding of the Commonwealth, the decorations of the portion of the city through the precession pf the American visitors will pass have been conceived and executed in a highly artistic manner. The city to-night is undergoing a.rehearsal for Friday's displays. Tens of thousands of people throng'the streets, and most of the publio buildings and private business houses are brilliantly illuminated with many-hued lamps. The weather is beautifully .fine and cold. Lord Northcote, Governor-General, has forwarded by wireless telegraphy the following messagb to Admiral Sperry on behalf of the Commonwealth;—

"I tender a hearty welcome from tho whole . of. its people to the American Fleet, which represents so magnificently our friends arid kinsmen of the United States. I hope yoiu have had-a good voyago from New Zealand, and that on arrival you will receive an enthusiastio greeting from this part of His Majesty's Empire,"

, FLEET WEEK CONGRATULATIONS, . (BY TELEGBAPS—tHESS. ASSOCIATION.) 'I AUOklahd, August 19. j The' Mayor of- Auckland (Mr. Myers) has Mitten ,to Messrs. Donne 'and Hamer expressing,. 1 on behalf of the Citizens'- Reception Committee, appreciation of tho. able manner in which thoy discharged their duties in' carrying out' the Government's part of the programme', in connection with tho reception of the American Fleet at Auckland,; and congratulating them heartily on tho ■ h w^h ; orowned theifielfprtßjv • ; 1 ""'CW- TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION - .) - ' .Auckland,- August 19. Ensign.. Robert :.'Emmet, "of/the United States warship Connecticut, and a descend-. ant ! 6f the' famous' Irish patriot, will, when on'shore''at Sydney,' be the guest of 1 His Eminence Cardinal Morari. It' is estimated that 150,000 post cards, chiefly, for America, were'posted last week.