AMERICAN FLEET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19550, 5 August 1925, Page 7

AMERICAN FLEET

DESERTIONS IN SYDNEY. TWELVE SO FAR REPORTED. Prens Association—By Telegraph—Copyright,, SYDNEY, August 4. (Received August 4, at 11.5 p.m.) So far only about a dozen deserters from, the fleet have been reported, but until it sails the full number will not be known. The police will be supplied with complete lists of all the missing men. The Inspector-General of Police has issued a statement recording the fact that there has been no trouble with the visitors, and the conduct of all ranks has been exemplary. A DESERTER ARRESTED. MELBOURNE, August 4. A deserter from the Milwaukee who was arrested on a charge of trespassing on railway property has boon handed over to the American authorities. DETACHMENT FOR HOBART. MELBOURNE, August 4. Four vessels of the American fleet, comprising the light cruiser division, left for Hobart this morning. The Earl of Stradbroke was on board the flagship. FLEET WEEK. CITIZENS’ COMMITTEE MEETING. ARRANGEMENTS WELL IN HAND. A meeting of the Citizens’ Committee set up to make arrangements in connection with the forthcoming visit of the American fleet was held in the City Council Chambers yesterday afternoon, Mr J. J. Clark occupying the chair. There was a large attendance of members. Mr J. Hislop, Department of Internal Affairs, wrote stating- that advice had been received from the Commander-in Chief of the United States fleet that permission would bo granted to school children to visit the ships whilst the vessels wore in port. It was suggested that the Citizens’ Committee should draw up a tentative programme of visits from the city schools and Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, and Navy League, which should bo presented to _ the senior naval officer commanding on arrival and, if the times and dates fixed were approved by him, the committee could carry out the programme accordingly.—Received. Hie secretary was instructed to write to the Boy Scouts’ Association and the Girl Guides inviting them to visit the ships. Mr W. J. Bardslcy, secretary- of the Otago Harbour Board, wrote advising that the board was willing to grant the use of the “Q” shod for the purpose of an information bureau and social hall during the forthcoming visit. —The letter was received, the board to be thanked for its offer. In response to an offer from the Qamaru Council, it was decided that 500 men visit Gamaru on Thursday, August 13. It was decided to hold a sports meeting for the entertainment of the American visitors at the Caledonian Ground on Wednesday, August 12. The town clerk, Palmerston, wrote stating that arrangements were well in hand for the entertainment of 100 officers and men in that township on August 14. Hoocivod. The town clerks, Waikouaiti and Middlemarch, wrote similarly in connection with the visit of 50 men to each township on Friday, August 14.—Received. Mr*W. J. Hcslehurst, chairman of the Canterbury Baseball Association, wrote advising that he could arrange to send a representative baseball team to play a team from the fleet at Dunedin on ihursday, Au ff ust 13.—Received. The Oto/i-o Lawn Tennis and the fet. Clair Golf °C\ubs wrote offering to place the facilities of their clubs at the disposal of officers of the American navy during their visit. —Received with thanks.