FLEET WEEK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13780, 19 June 1908, Page 6

FLEET WEEK.

- ACTIVE PREPARATIONS. THE WEEK'S PROGRAMME. GENERAL COMMITTEE TO MEET TO-DAY. The programme for fleet week, which has been framed by the Executive Committee, ■will be submitted for approval to.the General Reception Committee at a, meeting to be held in the City Council Chambers at four o'clock this afternoon. The arrangei ments were further discussed at a meeting of the executive yesterday. Mr. Biechol, the Government electrician, is expected to arrive in Auckland on Sunday for the purpose of making the preliminary arrangements for the electric light illuminations during the stay of the fleet. These illuminations, which were exhibited from the late Parliament House, Government House, and the Government buildings at Wellington on the evening of Dominion Day last year, excited great admiration on that occasion, and they were the principal spectacular . feature in connection with the Dominion Day festivities in the Capital City. ' : ' v ■ :■";-: The arch, which is to be erected across Lower Queen-street, opposite the railway station, , will have a tower 50ft in height at either, side. The arch will have a span of about 60ft, and: will be 25ft or 30ft-high. As already stated, it will be decorated with t flags : and greenery, and illuminated by means of electric light. The; word "Welcome" will be displayed in large letters on the harbour side of the arch, and on the opposite side the .; words- "Kia Ora" will be shown. ,'."■■■■' ; The Finance Committee of the Grey Lynn Borough' Council has agreed to provide a L" Welcome" flag in connection with the reception of the fleet. . * . • - .'■;'■ THE SUGGESTED RACE MEETING. The Mayor (Mr. A. M. Myers) received the following telegram last evening from Sir Geo. Clifford, president of the New Zealand Racing Conference, in. reply ■ to the communication, respecting the question of a permit for the proposed race meeting at Ellerslie on August 12:—" Your telegram seemed to imply the necessity for my consent to hold the race meeting, but I have no power to give or withhold consent, otherwise I would -gladly consent. H you consider meeting advisable, would advise you going straight ahead with preparations, relying: upon the sanction of the Racing Conference, under the exceptional circumstances. Conference meets on July 23." In view of the above reply, the meeting is likely to be held. The matter will be further considered at a conference of the presidents of the Auckland, Avondale, and Takapuna Clubs on Monday next. ———————— • BANNER FROM WAIHI. ' [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Waihi, Thursday. The Waihi Borough Council has decided to cam- out the Prime Minister's suggestion and: send 'a : banner for exhibition in Auckland during the visit of the American fleet, with the words, "Welcome from Waihi," inscribed thereon. "A BIG ENTERTAINMENT." I PRIME MINISTER'S VIEWS. A MEMORABLE VISIT. [BY TELEGRAPH.— SPECTAIiCOBBESrONDEXT.] j Kawhia, Thursday. ; In the course of an interview to-night the i Prime Minister stated, in reference to the . visit of the American fleet "I feel quite satisfied that the citizens of Auckland will help in every way to make, the visit a memorable one both to the visitors themselves and to the people of our country, who, I understand, are to visit Auckland in large numbers during fleet week. "It is, of course, a big entertainment to carry out in such short period of time, but I am confident \ that the details and arrangements are in good hands, and that our American, visitors will carry away a lasting impression both of the attractiveness of our '"country and of the thoroughness and kindly way, in which both the Government, and citizens of Auckland will receive them. ;.■■■,.-.■'.... "I think it will be a" very important event if we can. get , members of both branches of the Legislature, of whom a large number have signified their intention of ■: proceeding to Auckland, right through by the Main Trunk route and back again. The Public Works Department has accomplished splendid work in pushing the line on." ■ ,; . -.-'■- '-■ "■' '■ '■ ACCOMMODATING VISITORS. SLIGHTLY INCREASED TARIFF. Ever since the. date of the fleet's arrival was announced numerous inquiries have been made from ) alt parts of the Dominion as to the hotel and boardinghouse accommodation available, and as the festive time approaches they will naturally become more numerous. Those who leave it to the last, however, will have considerable difficulty in getting suitable • quarters, as several of the leading hotels are already fully booked, and others are rapidly filling up. The same applies, though to a slightly less extent, to boardinghouses. The Reception Committee has taken the matter in hand, and is inviting proprietors of hotels and boardinghouses and private citizens willing to take in paying guests to send details to the secretary, at his office in the Strand Arcade. Special application forms have been drawn up, and it is necessary that those wishing to register- their available accommodation should use these. Classified lists, for distribution to inquirers, will be prepared later on. With a view to ascertaining what extra provision is being made by the various hotels arid boardinghouses to cope with the large influx of visitors at fleet time, a Herald representative yesterday made a round of the leading establishments, and gleaned some interesting information. No sooner had the date and duration of the fleet's visit been announced than the proprietors of many of the accommodationhouses, in anticipation of a busy season, at once set ab»ut making preparations. Large orders for stretchers, blankets, bed Unen, etc., were: immediately given, and in several instances contracting provision merchants were notified that th*y would be required to supply up to the fullest number the respective establishments could accommodate. Inquiries are now being made for extra hands, but the number available appears to be short of the supply. The proprietors of the various houses in.booking rooms are naturally giving preference to regular patrons, and where the whole of.the : accommodation has not been already bespoken they are reserving a certain number of rooms for their convenience right up to within the.last few days. ".•;-;," Several of the hotels and boardinghouses are raising r their tariff for fleet week, but not to any great extent. • ■;