MELBOURNE'S RECORD CROWD.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 11370, 1 September 1908, Page 5

MELBOURNE'S RECORD CROWD.

GREAT CRUSH. WOMEN FAINT IN SCORES. AMERICAN CREW VICTORIOUS. LONDON NEWSPAPER COMMENTS. (Press Assn. — By Telegraph — Copyright.) MELBOURNE, August 31. To-day was the great ceremonial day. The principal attractions were the official landing at, St. Kilda, procession in the streets, presentation -of addresses,' and public reception at the Exhibition buildings. , Hundreds of thousands thronged .the' streets, and every point of vantage was availed of. The day was disagreeably -. w'indy. and dusty. * 'It Tis? doubtful if so . many people were everseen in Melbourne before. The Admirals : were enthusiastically cheered along the' whole route. It has transpired that the special authority of Congress is necessary before' Admiral Sperry can assume possession of costly. presents ihade during thecruise of' the fleet. Regulations prevent admirals accepting presents. Admiral Sperry has provisionally accepted gifts, pending the •decision- of Congress. (Received September 1, .8.45 a.m.) MELBOURNE, Sept. 1. A Commonwealth banquet "concluded yesterday's programme. It was _a brilliaiit and historic gathering. The speeches made a reiteration of the friendly sentiments expressed at previous functions. Mr Deakin referred to tlie, natural national; great, friendship between America and' Australia.' Tlie city was illuminated. The display, which was } confined to a number of public buildings and one or two of the leading streets, with that from the warships, made an effective show. A torchlight procession of 1500 firemen added an: interesting feature. Many people were overcome in the crushing crowds, .and received medical treatment. ! I The block at the railway stations at night was terrible. -.Women fainted '! in scores. It was impossible to provide" accommodation for the immense crowds, and thousands were kept waiting for hours. Tlie race for the. Battenburg Cup and a, money prize of ' £400 between crews from tho Louisiana and " warship ; Challenger, three miles, resulted' in an. easy win for the Americans. The Britishers led for a quarter of a. mile, when the Americans shot in front, r and finished' with nearly a thousand; yards to spare. (Received September 1, 8.15 a.m.) . LONDON, August 31. Till e Daily News, - remarking ,that-it-is evident Melbourne "does "jaot intend tobe behind" Sydney! in the enthusiasm o'f its welcome to : the United States fleet, reminds Australians "-that. ■■-'Japan'! is a .British ally for many years' to come, and also an ally, of the. Commonwealth. After' justifying the withdrawal! of. British battleships ! from the Pacific, the Daily. News, emphasises that concentration is a first rule of naval strategy, and. that. a. scattered .fleet is rather worse than none. , The- Chronicle states! that it is. the British. fleet which secures Austral ia^ and so.long as it commands the sea it will continue to . secure to all outlying ; British? possessions 1 ; the peace, security, antt confidence^ that they now: enjoy, and the protection will not be- less, or more effectual according to concentration further' or near particular parts of. the Empire. Admiral Sparry! s visit demonstrates the capacity of the. .fleet to - make distant expeditions, and the suggestive lesson is reaped that protection is 'afforded, the fleet striking far or near as the circumstances require.