FESTIVITIES IN SYDNEY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2811, 26 August 1908, Page 30

FESTIVITIES IN SYDNEY.

THE OFFICIAL RECEPTION.

EXCHANGE OF GONGRATULATIONSk-

SYDNEY, August 21. The weather is fina for to-day's ~prd* ~ gramme, •which, includes the (official :land--ing and /Reception by < Lord Norfchcorfce OH behalf, of Australia and by Sir -IL Hanson on behalf of the State, and luncheon •-<*> the sailors and 150 .officers'. . . Over 2000 sailors land with Adnvrral Sperry 'participate in the . The regulations have •been relaxed to « enable the men to come ashore with their rifles and sidearms. Trouble - wa6 threatfened over the matter, bnt -fche Admiral! firmly declined -to allow his men to lancl^ unless the concession -were granted 1 . Eventually, on Mr D-eakin'e advice, db was decided to permit the landing undei; arms. • Admiral 'Sperry, in an interview, warmly acknowledged the enthusiastic welcome accorded the "fleet, adding : ".Iti is very pleasing to us to think -it indicates a T&al and lieai-tfelt eympatly l>etween the two English-speaking nations?* The American officers .and the men generally are delighted with their reception. They say it is -the biggest thing - in tbe way of recej>tions they have yet had. They are surprised at ' the number of people who took paTt, .and are full of ■wonder at the size and beauty of "the . harbour. It transpires that Admiral Sperry hadl previously visited Sydney in the old warship Kearsage 40 years ago. Over 132,000 people reached Sydney T)y| i "train alone yesterday morning. -The-.. ! suburbs were practically , deserted. | The Herald •estimates the ■wjao < viewed the fleet at over half a , million. i Another estimate is that 200,000 were ia the vicinity of the heads. [ During th&. busiest time two -ferry Boats crowded with came into collision. % There was great excitement at %tlie time, but they escaped with 'slight damage. The crowds behaved splendidly. Thousands were unable to find room in thei trams and steamers, and walked miles to witness the approach from the coast, in many cases only -to meet a double disappointment, arriving too late to see -the, ~ arrival, and being too faT from the heads to witness the entrance. Amongst the features of welcome waa the ringing of peals of bells.