FAREWELL MESSAGES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2840, 19 August 1908, Page 31

FAREWELL MESSAGES.

AUCKLAND, August 14. j On the eve of the departure of the American fleet for Sydney farewell messages, have been exchanged between Admiral Sperry on, the one hand and the Prime Minister, on behalf of New Zealand, on the other. The Prime Minister's message is as folio we : — I wish Admiral Sperry and the officers and men of the United States fleet a safe and liappy cruise. I also deeire to say, on behalf of the Dominion of New Zealand, that we have been, delighted with their altogether too short visit. ' They have left behind them pleasant j and happy memories and hearts warmed j by the bond -of friendship. lam voicing the sentiments of all in the Dominion when I say that we appreciate the marked courtesy and kindness shown to us by one and all of the officers and men of the fleet. The task of entertaining them has been most agreeable and pleasurable, especially because of the trouble our visitors have taken to fall in with every arrangement made. Their visit has unquestionably drawn the people of New Zealand closer to the people of America than they ever were before. In bidding farewell to Admiral Sperry and those under his command I cannot do better than to say, in the language of our Maori race, " Kia ora aroha." ("Good luck and our love.") The following is Admiral Sperry's farewell message to the people of New Zealand : — The reception accorded to the United States fleet by the Dominion Government, by the city of Auckland, and by the representatives of the various i boroughs throughout New Zealand has been hearty and cordial beyond expresj sion, and cannot fail to draw closer the ties of common race and common interests in the Pacific. Regarding the trip to Rotorua, Admiral Sperry stated that it had been very impressive and satisfactory, not only on account of the characteristic hospitality and welcome by the Maoris, but by the evidence on every side of the fertility and prosperous condition of this country. He referred to the varied industries that had come under his notice — dairying, cattleraising, sheep -farming, the timber industry, etc., and expressed pleasure at noting such progress in each. This, it may be mentioned, is not Admiral Sperry's first visit to New Zealand. He informed a Herald representative to-day that he was in Wellington in 1869, at which time he was a sublieutenant on the United States warship Kearsage. Referring to this reminiscence of his younger days, the Admiral said : " There were then only a collection of a few wooden houses on the beach of what is now your capital city. I remember

well that Sir George Grey, who was then your Governor, was noted for his gracious hospitality and attractive personality. The time I speak of was just after the Maori war, and I recollect that Sir George Grey and a party of very able men had been selected to settle the difficulty."' Admiral Sperry closed by referring in graceful terms to the navy of Great Britain, and quoted again his own remarks upon the occasion, when he toasted the navy in question as follows :— " To that service from which we derive our laws, customs, and traditions, and whose noble deeds in the defence of their country are the inspiration, of all sailors — the British navy."