Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1908-08-13
AUCKLAND AWAITS
The FLEET
t.
il Is an (jnbrOken Stretch OF
1850 Miles From
Honolulu.
The 175,gDO Inhabitants Of Eihe Pro-
Yineial District are on the
Tiptee Of Expectation.
Especial to The ARaUs.}


Auckland, N. T., Aug.:7-The 1885,
600 inhabitants of the provincial dis
trict of Auckland are on the tiptoe of
expectation in anticipation of the ar
rival of the fleet of Am merican battle
ships. Auckland is the first port in
the New Dominion at which the fleet
will touch, after an anbr oxen stretch
of $3.50 miles from Honolulu. The re-
ception OF the battleships will provide
a notable spectacle, and one to which
the people of New Zealand have been
looking forward with>keen interest for
weeks past.
The feet is due to reach port Sun
day, but the official landing will not
be made until the following day ac-
cordiDg to the programme as arranged.
The landing will be an imposing af-
fair, the visitors marching in process
triumphal arches and past beautifully
decorated buildings. The New Zea-
land Volunteers will act as escort, and
the Federal officials, the mayors and
municipal authorities OF the chief
cities of New Zealand will form the
reception party, which will be headed
by the governor-general,L Lord Plunket.
A municipal welcome will be given
Tuesday and will include q reception
by the mayor of Auckland. In the
evening there will be a state ball at
Government House, the men being en-
tertained in various halls.
The entertainment com mittes has
prepared a large number of excursions
to places of interest, and Wednesday
will be devoted chiefly to this part of
the programme. Perhaps the most
interesting OF these trips will be that
to Rotoroa Lake, where there will be
tournaments by the Maoris.
The bluejachets will be entertained
at a municipal luncheon Thursday. In
their honor there will be special m att
nees at the theatres and athletic sports
and other forms of outdoor entertain
ment. All the places of entertainment
will be thrown open free to the visi-
tors.
Friday, the concluding day of the
visit, will be given over to races and
special entertainment for the surgeons
of the fleet by the British Medical AS
sociation of Now Zealand.
There will be scores of dinners, ath-
lstic events and theatre parties, at
which the sailors will be guests OF
honor. During the entire period of
their stay the use of the street cars
will be free to the nasn wearing the
American naval uniform.
Despite the opposition of the social
Government adheres to its original de-
termination to spend the sum of $685.
900 for the entertainment Of the fleet.
The government will bear the entire
expense of the trip to Rotarua and a
considerable part OF the cost of the
decoration of the city. Costly souve-
Mrs have been prepared tor presen-
5tation to admiral Sperry and the COM
manders OF the battleships, together
with a special gift to be conveyed to
President Roosevelt. Handsome SOU
yenir books, giving views et the prin-
oipal places ef interest throug hout Now
Zealand have been printed al govern
ment expense and copies will be pre-
sentsd to every officer and man of the
fleet. The cost of the souvenirs, whic b
are Of unusually handsome design and
workmanship, it is stated to be in OK
cess of $4,000.