THE AMERICAN FLEET.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9254, 5 June 1908, Page 3

THE AMERICAN FLEET.

THE COMMONWEALTH PAGEANT. United Press Association — By Electric * Telegraph — Copyright. (Received June 5, 10.40 a.m.) MELBOURNE, June o. The Commonwealth will despatch an officer to Auckland to confer with the American admiral with regard to fixtures for tho Victorian pageant. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Jane 5. The City Council's landscape gardener is engaged preparing a decorative scheme oi : triumphal arches for Lower Queen Street and Wellesley Street corner, also a general design of decoration for the full length of Queen Street. On Friday, August 14, the Governor will give a State ball. To this it is intended to invite the officers of the British squadron and the American fleet, members of Parliament and the Mayors and members of City Councils, Harbour Boards, etc. Their Excellencies hope, by a temporary enlargement of some of tho rooms, to issue about 1200 invitations to the ball. All the men-of-wars-men of the visiting fleet will be permitted to travel free on the Auckland railways in uniform. This will afford i many of them an opportunity of seeing the country and carrying away an impression of New Zealand that they could not otherwise gain. Arrangements will be made by the local committee to take detachments of the men daily trips round the city and environs. The committee will also provide tho men with lunch. The Government dinner will probably take place in the Drill Hall. It is proposed to floor the Drill Hall and build an annexe where, entertainments for the men can bo held. Admiral Pocne has cabled to the Harbour Board that ho will inquire the ueual anchorages for the Powerful, Encounter and Pioneer and suggested that, the Harbour Board would be best able to make berthing arrangements for the American fleet. The Board's Committee recommends a temporary landing stage, and a contribution of £1000 to the reception fund, including the cost of landing stages, decorations, etc.