ARRIVING TO-DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12197, 23 July 1925, Page 6

ARRIVING TO-DAY

FLEET REACHES AUSTRALIA DIVISIONS PARTED ON TUESDAY farewell"messages By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. SYDNEY, July 22. A -wireless message from the American Fleet says:— We are 60 miles off Gabo Head. At 6 o’clock last night the fleet divided; and the Melbourne division continued south, and the Sydney division turned uorth. Heavy rain foil throughout the day and the seas -were short and! choppy. Admirals Coontz and Robison exchanged farewell messages. Though the two divisions will meet' again after the New Zealand visit, the admirals will not see each other till they reach Pago Pago. It was just getting dark when, with flashing searchlights playing o farewell, the detachments lost sight of each other. Owing to the battleships drawing 30 feet,- they will probably not enter Melbourne tfll high water, about noon. The smaller vessels will enter earlier. A radio message from the Mississippi says: AVe are swinging into cruising formation. Battleship divisions four and five, forming the detachment which is to visit Sydney, have separated from the other ships of the fleet, and are now proceeding at a speed of 12 knots, so that the detachment may arrive at Svdney at the same time as the other detachment reaches Melbourne. ... . ~ The California, the flagship of the battle fleet, will probably _ lead the ships into harbour. Admiral S. S. Robison commands the Sydney detachmcnt. , . Drills en route have brought the fleet’s gunnery to a high point of efficiency. The officers and men will receive their pay in Australian money on the day of arrival. SYDNEY READY FOR WELCOME ffi ENTERTAINMENTS IN PLENTY. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received July 22, 7.25 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 22. The reception committees and business houses along the lines of march, both in Sydney and Melbourne, are extremely busy to-day putting the final touches to the preparations for the welcome of their respective sections of the American fleet to-morrow. The weather is bright and fine, but bitterly cold.On the whole, the decorations are much less extensive and elaborate than previous dressings in honour of Royalty, at least as far as Sydney is concerned. Many buildings along the route of the march of 2000 men of the fleet from Woolloomoolae Bay through the heart of the city have had their faces washed, and have received a coat of paint, and the whole line already is gaily fluttering with bunting, conspicuous amongst which are the Stars and Stripes. Publio buildings and other buildings outside the route are not making much display. Among the features of the celebrations will bo fireworks displays on the harbour. The social entertainments arranged are comprehensive, and if the men of the fleet survive all the functions arranged for them during their stay they certainly will require several days after departing to regain their proper “sea legs.” The fact that the Americans, on the day of their arrival, will be paid in English money is gladdening the hearts of the city business people. They are looking forward to reaping a-rich harvest, without having to wrestle with coinage and exchange questions -on the dollar basis. BAD WEATHER FORECAST There has been a big influx of visitors from the country in view of the fleet’s arrival, and the American sailors are assured of a rousing welcome. The fleet was sighted off Eden today, but the weather there was bad. A warning has been issued to shipping that gales and heavy seas may he expected to-morrow.