STREETS THRONGED.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 44, 20 August 1908, Page 7

STREETS THRONGED.

SYDNEY'S DISPLAY.

A DEESS REHEARSAL. BRILLIANT ILLUMINATIONS. By. T«legr»ph,— Vretß Association.— Copyright. SYDNEY, 19th August. Without approaching in any degree the fine display made in honour of the founding of the Commonwealth, the decorations in that part of the city tlrrongk which the procession of Americans andvisitors will pass have been conceived, and executed in a highly artistic manner. The city to-night is undergoing, a rehearsal for Friday's displays, and tens of thousands of persons throng the streets. Most of the public buildings and private business honses are brilliantly illuminated with many-hued lamps. The weather is beautifully fine> and cold. Lord Northcote, Governor-General, has forwarded, by wireless telegraph, the following message to Admiral Sperry : "On behalf of the Commonwealth, I tender a hearty welcome from tht whole of- its people to the American fleet, which represents so magnificently ■our friends and kinsmen of the United States. I hope you have had a good voyage from New Zealand, and on arrival you will receive an enthusiastic greeting from this part of his Majesty's Empire." Not the least impressive of the ceremonies connected with the reception of the American fleet in New Zealand was the Maori welcome at Rotorua (remark ed the Sydney Morning Herald on 14th instant). Our report makes interesting Beading in 'this connection, the more so that our native races in Australia can show nothing comparable to the vigour and natural ability of the fine people who gave the admirals such a graphic account of their origin and pristine power at ths Hot Springe celebrations. It is their boast that they came f rom far across the Pacific, and at one time were masters of a, wide stretch of the ocean. In canoes dug out with stone they travelled from the north, and while our ancestors were learning with coracles their '•first lessons in seafaring, the Maoris claim to have ventured forth and taken possession of the carth — at any rate, of one corner of it. But the value of the high-pitched speeches afc yesterday's function lies in their application. The Maoris are impressed with the fleet and its crews because AngloSaxondom is so sturdily in evidence. It is still the same people who have come across the waters ; and although President Roosevelt is ( the chief of the nation whose warships are stirring Greater Britain toits depths, in kinship King Edward seems to the Maoris to be quite as close, and to make a real connecting link between them. In their imaginative way they have struck the same note aa did .Admiral Sperry when speaking at the beginning of the week to the address of ■welcome. "We are one race," he said, "and have a common ancestry, common ideas, and common interests." Later on, at the Mayor's reception, he declared that "the Imperial interests of ,both our great nations in the Pacific ate the same," and emphasis was laid upon the need that "Imperial interests should be recognised as common."- \ FLEET SIGHTED. OFF THE HEADS MANOEUVRING. (Received August 20, 10.50 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The American fleet is off the Heads, , manoeuvring. WEATHER FINE. tANt 'AN ENTHUSIASTIC POPULACE. HUNDREDS SLEEP OUT ALL NIGHT, (Received August 20, 9.40 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The' weather is fine and bright, but cold. Visitors have been pouring into the city all night, and since before daylight there has been a steady "exodus to vantage grounds along the coast and harbour foreshores. Every possible means of transit is being pressed into service, and •all vehicles are densely crowded. Some people, in an excess of enthusiasm, camped out all night. • The high, rocky coast extending for miies from Botany to the Heads, affords a magnificent panoramic view of the approaching fleet, which is expected to bo signalled off Botany at 9 o'clock, and enter the harbour at 11.30. According 'to present indications, it will be beforo ithat time. The spectators afloat and ashore along rthe route number some hundreds of thousands. Shipping in the harbour is gaily dress- i cd. ' The final touches have been put to the i decorations, and the city looks ita best. j ADMIRAL SPERRY'S MESSAGE. OFFICERS AND MEN HAVE .PLEASURABLE ANTICIPATIONS. (Received August 20, 9.45 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Admiral Sperry sent the following wireless reply to Lord Northcote, on of the Government of the United 'States and the fleet :—: — "I thank you most heartily, and, 'through you, the people of the Commoni wealth, for your gracious message of welcome to .the American fleet. ,The •officers and men are looking forward with most pleasurable anticipation to a 'better acquaintance with their kinsmen ' of this great member of the British Empire."