Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-10
Admiral of the Battle Fleet
Cheered at Banquet.
NEW ZEALAND'S TRIBUTE
Elaborate Entertainment for Admiral
and Officers.
TOASTS AROUSE ENTHUSIASM
Auckland Brilliantly Illuminated.
Harbor Ablaze With Lights
Review of Troops.

AUCKLAND. New Zealand. August 10
The government gave banquet to Rear
Admiral Sperry and the officers of the
American battleship fleet now anchored in
this harbor al the drill hall tonight. There
were 80 persons in attendance ard the
affair was carried out on a magnificent
scale. The hall was tastefully decorated
with flags. the union jack and the Stars
and Stripes being everywhere conspicuous.
The prime minister of New Zealand. Sir
Joseph George Ward. proposed a toast
to King Edward and President Roosevelt
during the course Of which he said:
Each Is a born ruler, richly endowed
with common sense and great ardent
lover of his country and people. Each
is peacemaker. The American navy
is one of the greatest AID most efficient
forces in the world. We are proud of Ad-
mira Sperry's visit. and no fleet save a
British one is so welcome"
When the commander-in-chief arose to
reply to the prime minister's toast he re-
ceived a tremendous ovation. In his
speech he said that while the navy floated
no enemy could reach New Zealand's
shores. He recalled the time when the
Americans were told that they had the
strongest navy in the world. when they
had seven rotten monitors. He was very
hopeful now because so many gallant
young officers were growing up in the
navy. which owed SO much to President
Roosevelt.
The fleet. the admiral said. had devel-
oped homogeneity and by its present
cruise had enlarged the benefits of naval
training. He could safely say there was
nothing nearer to the heart of President
Roosevelt than the cordial welcome eX-
tended by New Zealanders 10 the fleet,
and he was confident that il was agree
able to the king.
Welcome to the Fleet.
Vice Admiral Sir Richard Poore. COM
mander of the Australasian squadron,
replying to a toast to the British navy.
cordially welcomed the American fleet to
the Australian station, and said lie was
proud Of the opportunity to have his own
name coupled with that of Admiral Sper-
ry.
The Examinations in Auckland tonight
were brilliant. the town and harbor being
ablaze with lights After the sun went
down fireworks display was held on
shore in conjunction with the illumina-
tons and searchlights Of the ships in the
harbOr. The outline of each warship was
prominently revealed by electric lights
and the vessels flashed their powerful
searchlights upon the buildings and hills
along the shore.
The city itself was beautifully lighted.
incandescent lamps Of various colors being
utilized to bring out the national colors
of Great Britain and of the United States.
The fireworks program was an extensive
one, beginning with a royal salute OF
twenty-one aerial guns and ending with
the flight of 100 large rockets which form
ed an aerial bouquet of the national
cOlors.
A grand review of the Auckland troops
was held on the military field this AFTER
noon and it was "a brilliant sight. The
New Zealanders distinguished themselves
as light horse in South Africa. Included
in the review were many veterans of the
Maori wars which ragged in North Island
from 1860 to 1870.
1000 Sailors to Go Ashore.
On Tuesday 1000 sailors from the battle
ships will land at Queens wharf to spend
the morning sightseeing in Auckland. At
ter luncheon they will return to ship
In the afternoon a reception will be
rendered to the officers of the fleet by
A. NJ Myers. the mayor of Auckland al
the drill hall. at which other visitors
in the city and citizens of Auckland Will
be present.
In the evening Lord Plunkitt. the COVER
nor of New Zealand. will give a state
ball at Government House to which the
officers of the fleet have been invited.
For the sailors of the feet arrangements
have been made to hold smokers at the
various halls in the city.