Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-12
AUCKLAND DELIGHTED
Men of Fleet Make Good I'M
preston on New ZeaIanders.
SAIL ORS READY SPENDERS
Glorious Weather Contributes Ma.
terially to Pleasures.
OFFICERS TAKE RAIL TRIP
Go III Miles to Witness Opening Of
New Bathhouse-Guests Of Prime
Minister and Parliament.
OFFICERS TAKE RAIL TRIP

AUCKLAND, n. T.. August 12.-The
principal official entertainments In honor
of the officers and men OF the visiting bat
tleship fleet are now at an end, for
Thursday. Frida. and Saturday are to be
devoted to sports\ and minor entertain
ments.
After the races 1t Ellerslie Admiral
Sperry and 200 officers of the feet pro-
ceeded as the guests Of Prime Minister
Ward and the members of parliament to
Rotorua, in the Therman district. in the
heart of North Island. III miles from
Auckland by rail. Here they will visit the
boiling springs. geysers and medicinal
baths and witness the opening ceremonies
or the beautiful new bathhouse. EMcur-
sions will be made to other points of in
terest near Rotorua, and the visitors are
expected back in Auckland Friday.
The men Of the fleet have conducted
themselves we'll, and their good behavior
mas made a most favorable impression
upon the people of Auckland. There Is no
question but that the men have had a
thoroughly good time on shore. They have
been entertained almost constantly with
theatrical productions. dinners and sports
and they have expressed their liking for
Auckland and the people Of the city in un-
mistakable terms.
The sailors have shown themselves
ready spenders and by the time the fleet
leaves the shopkeepers of Auckland will
have reaped a rich harvest.
The men crowd the curio shops day and
night purchasing souvenirs of the coun-
try. and they have mailed vast quantities
of picture postal cards to friends at home.
This Is regarded as a very good adver-
tisement for New Zealand.
Sports and Entertainments.
The weather during fleet week has been
glorious. and this has added materially
to the success of the various functions
and the enjoyment Of the visitors.
Tonight the noncommissioned officers
of the New Zealand garrison entertained
at Drill Hall the noncommissioned Of
fcers of the American and Australasian
ships. There also were sports and enter
ta1nments for the enlisted men. and the
officers who did not go to Rotorua were
Admiral Sperry has received a cable
gram from the governor of Queensland.
Lord Chelmsford. containing affectionate
greetings and the wishes of the governor
for the continued prosperity of the United
States and Great Britain
In his reply the American admiral con-
veyed his heartfelt thanks. He said that
America and Australasia. In working
toward and realizing the ideals of freedom
inherited jointly from the mother coun-
try. dwelt in a community Of interests
and must continue to live in sympathy
and mutual understanding. The warm
est friendship. the admiral said. marked
the intercourse between the two states.
Many Greeted Americans.
No more beautiful sight ever was wit
messed at the picturesque Ellerslie race
course than that Of today when a special
race meeting was held for the entertain
ment of the officers and men of the
American Atlantic fleet Admiral Sperry
and his staff and all the officers who
could be spared from duty aboard ship,
and the entire contingent of enlisted men
on shore leave were present. The admiral
and the officers were in full uniform.
There was an enormous gathering to greet
the Americans.
The spacious grandstand groaned under
it's burden of humanity. and the beautiful
green lawns and slopes were thickly dot
ted with spectators. In the stand espe-
cially was the scene a pretty one. the
varigated toilets of the women blending
tremendously with the gold lace of the
nava! officers and the blue and white
trimmings of the uniforms of the enlisted
men. A majority Of the races were close
and exciting. and brought forth rounds
of applause from the Americans.