THE AMERICAN FLEET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19092, 10 August 1925, Page 10

THE AMERICAN FLEET.

TO-MORROW'S VISITORS.

BATTLESHIPS TO ARRIVE.

DISPLAY BY SEAPLANES

GUNS TO FIRE SALUTES.

Tho eyes of Auckland will look seaward from a hundred vantage points to-morrow for the first sign of the peace ships of the American Navy. Tho Commander-in-Chief of the battle fleet, Admiral S. S. Robison, has stated that his fleot of eight ships will arrive off tho Rangitoto Iteef at half-past eleven to-morrow morning, and if naval procisioji counts for anything, there will bo no question of delayed arrival, unless through bad weather. The sight of tho eight battleships steaming in line up tho YVaitemata should indeed be a worthy one, and, an added attraction will bo formation flying by tho American seaplanes. As far as tho aeroplane display is concerned, Admiral Robison has wirelessed that, weather permitting, and if dosired by the Auckland committee, tl;e battleships will catapult seaplanes upon entering tho port, and the machines will engage in formation flying as was dono on entering Sydney. Tho Auckland committeo has replied that it would much appreciate such a display. A port salute of 21 guns will bo fired by the -fleet as it enters the port. This will bo followed by tho consular saluto of seven guns. The port salute will bo answered by an equal number of guns from tho saluting battery at North Head. A Half-holiday from Noon.

In order that a fitting wolcomo may bo given to tho visitors, and so that citizens may have an opportunity of watching the arrival of tho fleet, tho deputy-Mayor, Mr. J. A. Warnock, has asked that a halfholiday be' observed from noon, and it is expected that full advantage will bo taken of tho invitation.

Tho Auckland arrangements for tho roception of tho fleet are practically complete. The flagship California will bo the lirst to arrivo and she will be piloted into the port by the harbourmaster, Captain 11. 11. Sergeant. She will anchor off Princo's Wharf, while tho West Virginia, Colorado, Maryland, Tennessee, New Mexico, Idaho and Mississippi will follow in that order. The round of official call 3 will commence as soon as tho flagship drops anchor. Tho senior naval oflicer, Commander F. N. Miles, will make the first call on Admiral Itobison, and he will bo followed at brief intervals by the American Consul, Mr. Walter P. Boyle; tho chairman of the Harbour Board, Mr. H. R. Mackenzie; the Deputy-Mayor, Mr. J. A. Warnock; and Colonel-Commandant H. R. Potter. At 1.40 p.m. tho Admiral will como ashore to call on Sir James Parr, representative of tho New Zealand Government, and will then risturn tho calls. Sir James Parr will not return his call until tho following day. The civic reception at the Town Hall will be held at three o'clock. Decoration of Buildings. •

Tho' Government buildings, tho Town Hall, tho Harbour Board buildings, and a few business firms aro being decorated and illuminated, whilo there should be a good display of bunting in tho city. Sir James Parr arrived in Auckland yesterday from Wellington, and ho will represent the Government at functions given in honour of the visitors. Mr. D. Ardell, of the Internal Affairs Department, will arrivo from Wellington this morning to supervise arrangements on behalf of tho Government.

Arrangements havo been made by tho Y.M.C.A., in co-operation with tho Government and the City Council, to provide 1040 beds each night for the free use of men on shore night Icavo. Tho beds are at Shed 21, Prince's Wharf, at tho Y.M.C.A. in Wellesley Street East, and at tho Unity Hall, Upper Queen Street. Light refreshments aro to bo provided free each morning and evening for tho men availing themselves of the sleeping accommodation.

The Y.M.C.A. building is to bo thrown open to tho men, and refreshments will bo available during the day and evening, while special efforts are being made for the entertainment of the men in tho way of gymnastic displays, concerts, musical overlings, picture shows and popular lectures. An information bureau has also been established in the building. Similar efforts for the entertainment and comfort of the men are being mado by the Y.M.C.A. at tho Unity Hall in Upper Queen Street. Navy Leaguo's Clubroom.

The Navy League has made provision for a clubroom for petty officers and men in Shed 21 on Prince's Wharf. The club will be open every day from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., and there will be facilities for writing, cards and games. A special daneo floor, 60ft. by 60tt., has been prepared, and dancing will take place each evening except Sundays from seven to ten o'clock. Light refreshments will also be available at the club. The directors of Dixieland have invited 150 officers of the fleet to visit the cabaret as their guests on Wednesday evening. A committee of ladies lias arranged partners for the visitors.

Tho City Council has drawn attention to tho by-law forbidding persons to occupy the roofs of street verandahs. Holiday railway excursion tickets to Auckland are now available from stations in the Auckland Province.

Onehunga has raised its quota toward tho cost of entertaining the fleet altogether by private subscription. The sum of £35 4s, which is £1 15s lid moro than tho umount allotted by the City Council, is to be handed over this morning.

VESSELS AT DUNEDIN. BERTHING OF DESTROYERS. ACCOMMODATION PROBLEM. The question of accommodating the American destroyers is now engaging the attention of tho harbourmaster, says a Dunedin paper. It will probably prove a difficult problem owing to tho congestion of shipping.. Should the wet weather continuo a number of large steamers will bo detained in port much longer than was anticipated, and therein will bo the difficulty, as berthage accommodation will be at a premium. Under tho plan now drawn up by tho harbourmaster provision has been mado for four destroyers to be berthed alongside each other at tho south end of the Cross Wharf, four abreast at tho shore end of tho Rattray Street Wharf, three abreast ahead, and four abreast about the. centre of this wharf, and tho parent ship Melville at the extreme end of the wharf. Tho port is practically full of shipping at tho present time, and about eight or nine vessels, coastal and overseas, are expected between this date and the hour of tho fleet's arrival. Most of tho steamers now in port will sail before Tuesday morning, but berths will have to be found for those arriving. At least two oversea vessels —the l'hysa and Itimutaka—will occupy berths until about' tlio middle of next week. It will not bo possible to divert many of larger ships' to Port Chalmers, as the accommodation there will bo taxed when the Homo liiier Arawa arrives on Monday and the Pearlmoor during tho week-end from Nauru Island and Lyttelton; It has been decided by the Harbour Board to keep the sheds at tho wharves where the American ships are expected to berth clear of goods. This will affect the operations of tho various shipping companies to a certain extent, as they will not be m a position to accept cargo before the arrival of any vessel.