Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-11
New Zealand Enthusiastic Over
the American Vessels.
CITY IN FESTAL ATTIRE
State Ball by the Governor a Bril-.
liant Affair.
OVER A THOUSAND PRESENT
Admiral Sperry Approves Program
for Fleet While in Australian
Waters-Parade and Review.

AUCKLAND. New Zealand. August IL.
Glorious weather continues and the cele-
brations'in honor of the officers and men
Of the visiting American warships are be-
ing carried out with a degree of enthusi-
asm even greater than was expected be-
fore the feet arrived. Auckland is full of
New Zealanders who have come in from
the provinces. and day and night the city
is in festal attire.
Lord Plunkitt, governor of New Zea-
land, gave state ball at government
house this evening in honor of Rear Ad-
miral Sperry and the officers Of the fleet.
Considerably over thousand guests were
present. They included Vice Admiral Sir
Richard Pore. commander of the British
Australasian squadron: Rear Admiral
Sperry. commander Of the American fleet:
Rear Admiral William II. Emory. Rear
Admiral Richard Wainwright Sir Joseph
Ward. premier of New Zealand; the mayor
Of Auckland. 500 dominion officials and 800
civilians
Australian Program Approved.
While the American officers were at
Government House. the men of the fleet
were being entertained at smoking con-
certs in the various music halls Of Auck-
land.
Admiral Sperry has approved almost in
its entirety the program for the enter
tainment in Australian waters. Among
other things there will be parade and
review of $4,000 men at Melbourne
The men of the American warships al
ready are beginningete be very much in
terested in the race for the service cut
ter championship to be held while the
feet is at Sydney. The stake is $4,000.
Brilliant Reception for officers.
New Zealand again yesterday with a
lavish hand showered its hospitality upon
the officers and men of the United States
Atlantic battleship fleet. The chief event
Of the day was the reception to Rear Ad-
miral Sperry and his officers given in the
afternoon in Drill Hall by the mayor and
mayoress of Auckland. To meet the
naval officers had gathered all the Of
f1cials. civil and military and hundreds
of citizens. Numerous women gowned in
the latest winter fashions. also attended
the function. which was a brilliant one in
every respect. The admiral was highly
complimented by every one on his sue
cessful cruise from San Francisco.
After the reception Admiral Sperry en-
tertained the members of the legislature
at luncheon on board the Connecticut.
The speeches on both sides were felicitous
to a degree and expressive of the warm
friendship that exists between New
Zealand and the United States.
The Americans took a remarkable in
terest in the workmen of New Zealand
and questioned them at length with re-
gard to the labor regulations, their pay,
etc.
Much satisfaction is expressed by Ad-
miral Sperry that Thomas Thomson
Ewing. commonwealth minister of state
for defense, has waived the regulations
which prevent the landing of an armed
force in order that the Americans may
compete i'm rifle matches on Australian
territory. Paul Gentil. a machinist while
working in the engine room of the battle
ship Missouri. was badly mangled by the
fall of steel shaft. He died later in a
hospital. A military funeral will be &C.
corded him.