Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-09
FLEET At AUCKLAND WRIGHT FLIES EASILY
Sixteen American Warships Sends Aeropane Through Air
Drop Anchor Once More. at M|e-a Minute Clip.
CEREMONIES ON AT ONCE FRENCH AVIATORS APPLAUD
Admiral Spey Pays Usual Nearly Two Miles Covered Near
Visits of Respect. Leman France.
BIG TIME BEGINS TOMORROW HAS PERFECT CONTROL
Next
Pro- in His
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. T.. August 9.-Sixteel
white chips comprising the battleship di
vision 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 ii
the roadstcad abreast the city after :
voyage of thirty-three days from Sai
Francisco. including a stopover of six
days at Honolulu. They will remain here
until next Saturday.
When the warShips entered the harbol
the usual salutes were exchanged be
tweer 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 A. Prickitt. the American
consul General. The governor and Mr.
Prickitt later returned the admiral's visit
aboard the flagship Connecticut.
This exchange of courtesies ended the
program of the first days stay of the
American feet in New Zealand waters,
but tomorrow will begin a week of cere-
monies and festivities for which the most
elaborate preparations have been made.
including the reception of the fleet on be-
ha.c 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
entertainment of the personnel OF the
fleet the various committees have pa,u
Great attention TO plans for making most
enjoyable Inc stay here of the enlisted
men.
City Is En- Fete.
The city is elaborately decorated in
honor of the visit of the Americans and
thousands of persons already have come
into the city in order to assist in paying
homage to the officers and men. Queen
street, the leading thoroughfare of the
city, is profusely decorated with flags
and bunting. the Stars and Stripes and
The Union Jack of Great Britain being
seen at every. hand.
The iornspeo.l4 are eI.t',ts;as:,o o*er
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 to 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 10000 persons and the harbor was
spotted with the craft of excursionists.
Il was an imposing spectacle and the
spectators gazed in admiration at the
power and majesty of the feet, its 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 as the Connecticut passed it
the band of the Australian flagship pealed
forth the American anthem.
nEN0nn