THE AMERICAN FLEET

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 6, 5 August 1908, Page 6

THE AMERICAN FLEET

The vote of £lO,OOO for the entertainment of the American fleet has passed both Houses of the N.S.W. Legislature. It is the intention of the Executive to give Unele Sam’s Jaek Tuts a right royal time at the race meeting on August 12th. 2,000 American and 500 British Jack Tars are being inviteu. as guests of the Reception Committee. They are to be provided with free transit to and from the races and with luncheon and afternoon tea on the course. Tire present expectation of attendance of volunteers during Fleet Week is: Country M.R (about) 640, Seddon Horse and Auckland M.R. 80, say, 720 mounted all told; Country Infantry 214; Local Infantry, 300; Garrison Artillery, 200; Field! Artillery, 60; Engineers, 30; Defence Cadets, 400 (a goodly body); and School Cadets, 1400. This gives a total of about 2350, including odd numbers, of whom the adults will provide about a thousand. Commemorative Trees. After the civic reception on the Monday, the official party will proceed to Albert Park, where 16 oak trees will be planted by His Excellency the Governor, the Admirals of both fleets, and commanders of the visiting squadron, each tree being named after one of the battleships. They will probably be planted on one of the plots over-looking the city, and a suitable tablet will be affixed to each fence protection, to be placed on the tree at a later date. The Aquatic Programme. The following aquatic programme has been arranged for the Friday of fleet week:— 1. Best and best cutter race, ship v. ship. 2. Cutter race for starboard watches. 3. Cutter race for port watches. 4. Cutter race for winning port watch and winning starboard watch. 5. Sailing race, ship v. ship, officers at the tillers. 'These events will be raced for trophies, to be divided amongst the crews of the winning cutters. Rotorua Arrangements. A special meeting of the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce resolve dto close the shops on the Thursday of the visit of the officers of the American fleet between 10 o’clock in the morning and 2 in the afternoon. A committee of the Chamber was appointed to act in conjunction with the Tourist Department Committee in decorating the streets. The Australian Flagship. H.MJS. Powerful, the flagship of the Australasian Squadron, with Vice-Admi-ral Sir Richard Poore on board, arrived in Auckland from Suva yesterday evening. The Encounter is expected to arrive here on Monday next, and the Pioneer shortly after. These three vessels will represent the squadron here, the remaining warships, Challenger, Pyramus send Pegasus waiting at Sydney for the celebrations there. The Powerful, which is commanded by Captain Prowse, carries 900 men. Mayoral Passes. In reply to a question by Mr. Field in the House of Representatives, the Hon. W. Hail-Jones, Minister for Railways, stated that the Government could not accede to the suggestion to grant free passes on the railways to the Mayors of the boroughs and their wives Who had been invited to be present at Auckland for fleet week, on the ground that such preferential treatment would be contrary to the regulations.