Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-09
FLEET At AUCKLAND WRIGHT FLIES EASILY
Sixteen American Warshps Sends Aeropane Through Air
Drop Anchor Once More. at Mica Minute Clip
CEREMONIES ON AT ONCE FRENCH AVIATORS APPLAU
Rear Admiral Sperry Paws Usual Nearly Near
Visits of Respect Lemans, France
BIG TIME BEGINS TOMORROW HE HAS PERFECT CONTROL
Whole
Elaborate Entertainment Pro- Week. in
gram Has cen Abroad
Sixteen American Warships
Drop Anchor Once More.
CEREMONIES ON AT ONCE
Rear Admiral Sperry Pays Usual
Visits of Respect.
BIG TIME BEGINS TOMORROW
Whole Town is in Fete and Most
gram Has Been Arranged.

AUCKLAND y. H.. August a-Sixteer
white chips. comprising the battleship di
visor, Of the United States Atlantic fleet
under command of Rear Admiral Charles
S. Sperry arrived here at $40 O'Clock this
morning and anchored in two columns in
the roadstead abreast the city after q
voyage of thirty-three days from Saf
Francisco. including a stopover of siS
DAYS at Honolulu. They will remain here
until next Saturday.
Wien the warships entered the harbol
the usual salutes were exchanged be
tween them and the shore batteries and
the Australian flagship Powerful and the
cruisers Encounter and Pioneer.
Sperry Pays His Respects.
Shortly after anchoring Admiral Sperry
accompanied by his staff. went ashore and
paid mis- respects TO Lord Plunkitt, the
Governor of New Zealand, 'and afterward
visited William y. Prickitt. the American
consul General The governor and Mr.
Prickitt later returned the admirars visit
aboard the flagship Connecticut.
This exchange of courtesies ended the
program of the first days stay of the
American fleet in New Zealand waters
but tomorrow will begin q week of cere-
monies and festivities for which the most
elaborate preparations have been made
including the reception of the fleet on be-
ha.t of the government by the prime
minister. the Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph
George Ward: the presentation of various
addresses. parades, military reviews ban
Gucts, excursions to nearby points of in
terest and horse racing and various
other sports In the arrangements for the
ent6 rtailment of the personnel OF the
fleet the various committees have par,
ereat attention to plans for making most
enjoy q BILE Inc stay here of the enlisted
men.
City Is En- Fete.
The city is deliberately decorated in
honor of the visit of the Americans, and
thousands of persons already have come
into the city in order to assist i'm paying
homage to the officers and men. Queen
street, the leading thoroughfare of the
city, is profuseIy decorated, with flags
and bunting. the stars and Stripes and
the onion Jack of Great Britain being
seen at every hand.
The ;ornsnso,ie are sIlt,fiists site over
the visit OF their American cousins, and
throughout the day thronged the water
front OF the city to view the stately ships
lying at anchor in the roadstead; AS
special honor the board of education has
changed the date of the Michaelmas holi-
day and will give the school children
their weeks vacation. beginning tOmor-
row. IN order that they may join with
their elders in making the stay OF the
American fleet notable one.
An Imposing Spectacle.
The feet steamed 10 its anchorage in
perfect formation. The day was bright
with sunshine and the sea shimmered like
a sheet of glass. The shores were lined
with $1,000 persons and the harbor was
spotted with the craft of excursonists.
1t was an imposing spectacle and the
spectators gazed in admiration at the
power and majesty of the fleet, it's per-
feet alignment and precision in evOlu-
tons. which were completed without the
slightest hitch.
Passing the flagship Powerful the bands
OF the visitors played the British national
anthem. and the Connecticut passed it
the band of the Australian flagship pealed
forth the American anthem.