AMERICAN WARSHIPS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19530, 13 July 1925, Page 8

AMERICAN WARSHIPS

AUCKLAND ITINERARY. (From Ou.r Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, July 12. An apicnded itinerary of the American naval fleet which is now on a cruise through the Pacific lias been issued by the American Consul at Auckland, and it shows that the majority of the ships and the men scheduled for New Zealand will be coming -to Auckland. At first it was understood that Auckland and Wellington were to be the only two ports visited, but the latest information stiows that squadrons will also visit Lyttelton and Dunedin. Auckland is to have the honour of receiving she battle fleet flagship, eight other ships, and 694 officers and 10,635 men. Wellington will have the same number of ships, but the officers and men will number 456 and 6559 respectively. Lyttelton will have 14 ships (including 12 destroyers) and 2618 officers and men, while 15 vessels (including 12 destroyers) with 2231 officers and men will go to Dunedin, In addition there are seven store ships with the fleet, and these will be assigned as required, either to Wellington or Auckland. The schedules of ships for Lyttelton and Dunedin are as follows: Lyttelton.— Omaha (flagship), 49 officers and 525 men; Altaire, 33 officers and 535 men; 12 destroyers, 96 officers and 1380 men; total, 177 officers and 2440 men. Dunedin. —Melville (tender), 35 officers and 519 men; Ludlow (mine layer), eight officers and 93 men; Burns (mme layer), eight officers and 92 men; 12 destroyers, 96 officers and 1380 men; total, 147 officers and 2084 men. PROGRAMME OF ENTERMENT. PUBLIC MEETING TO BE HEED IN MOSGIEL. The Mosgiel Borough Council held a special meeting on Saturday evening to consider the follov ing letter from the Mayor of Dunedin regarding the visit of a section of the American fleet to Dunedin waters:— “As you are aware. Dunedin is to be visited on August 10 by o fleet of 12 destroyers and two tenders with a complement of 149 officers and 2300 men, and their stay in Dunedin will last until August 20. From an international point of view everyone will recognise the necessity of affording our American visitors the warmest hospitality possible, and in this connection we must not forget the lavish hospitality that was extended by Uio Americans to our own soldier boys both on their way to England and on their return at Newport News and other ports where the ships called. With that end in view an organisation of Dunedin citizens has been sot up to arrange a programme of entertainment and 4o secure funds. One form of entertainment that wo think will afford the greatest pleasure and interest, as it will enable the visitors to see our country districts, would bo to send as many as possible by motor car or train, which will be arranged at this end, to your town, as well as other towns in tho vicinity of Dunedin. I have therefore been asked to communicate with you to ascertain whether your citizens would bo prepared to entertain a section of tile visitors in your town for tho whole day, providing them with lunch, afternoon tea, and some programme of entertainment. The day that has been tentatively set apart for this visit is Friday, August 14. Wo feel that tho country districts will bo glad to have the opportunity of entertaining our American friend? in their own towns, and I would bo obliged, therefore, if you would kindly let mo know as early as possible whether you would bo prepared to receive such a visit, and, if so, how many men altogether you could entertain. As there is not much time to make arrangements, I would bo exceedingly obliged if you could advise mo as to this as speedily as possible.” Tho council decided to call a public mooting of residents for to-morrow evening to go further into tlio matter and arrive at tho number that it was possible to entertain. A suggestion was made by tho Mayor that tho Uftornoon’s sports might bo taken in hand by the local Amateur Athletic Club. A change in the date chosen was also desired —August 15 being considered a more suitable day for Mosgiel than August 14.