THE FESTIVITIES CONCLUDED

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2271, 17 August 1908, Page 2

THE FESTIVITIES CONCLUDED

MEMORIES OF A GLORIOUS CARNIVAL. WELDING FRIENDSHIP'S CHAIN. REGRETFUL FAREWELLS. (From our Special Commissioner.) AUCKLAND, August IC. In connection with the usual course of events that followed the first announcement that tho lleet was to visit Auckland, nothing has transpired to mar the complete success of what was expected to prove a redletter week in the history of Auckland. The Government, with a commendable disregard of provincial jealousies, made a generous grant towards the celebrations The local authorities followed suit, whilst the business people as a- whole laid themselves out, with, a fine civic spirit, to do thecity credit. In Messrs Donne and Hamer the Government appointed representatives who knew all there was to know about the management of such a huge undertaking as tho reception of a fleet, and the arrangements made were so complete as to fully stand the severest tests in a strenuous period. During tho whole of the week, therefore, Aucklanders were able to listen complacently to the congratulations of all visitors, whether from the United States, Australia, or other parts of the Dominion, upon the splendid manner, in which tney had risen to the occasion,' and, what was more, they modestly feel the compliments to be deserved. That all-important factor, tho weather, is apt to be treacherous at any time in August, but here again fortune was kind, and from the -time the great White Armada steamed proudly into Waiteniata Harbor until -. the flagship weighed anchor and majestically glided away, 'there was not a drop of rain nor even a blustering wind to interfere with the universal enjoyment. The sky -was inclined to be dull and cloudy, but the atmosphere was not cold, and on Thursday the sun shone clear and bright from the bluest of blue skies, and gave our visitors a glimpse of typical New Zealand spring weather. .“This is Auckland weather,” proudly exclaimed our hosts, but when asked by the delighted Americans, “Is it always like this?” they maintained a discreet silence.

But more important even than the weather was the attitude of the people themselves. The hosts and their guests, the Americans, were certainly received, magnificently. They were met by a people who, animated by genuine friendliness, were determined to give them the heartiest of welcomes surcharged with the enthusiasm of a great occasion. They literally bubbled over with hospitality and good fellowship, and the visitors promptly responded with the freedom, frankness and good humor which stand out as their most striking qualities. From the first a sympathetic chord was struck between the two peonle, and there was no room to doubt the sincerity of the regrets that Fleet "Week was too short, and that partings should come so soon. There seemed a perfect understanding between all, and from the highest to the lowest ranks the opportunity of mixing with kinsmen from across the seas was taken full advantage of, and the free expression of. each other’s sentiments was fascinatingly interesting to all parties. To New Zealanders these chats were almost as good as a trip to America, whilst the. visitors certainly obtained an eye-opener as to the conditions of life existing in this -remote outpost of the British Empire. THE LAST NIGHT. A WONDERFUL SCENE. On "Wednesday and Thursday the crowds in tho streets did not seem quite so dense, but if any visitors went away on those days they all seemed to have returned for Friday, the last night of the fleet’s stay. From end to end, Queen Street was simply a huge mass of packed humanity that, laughingly made its way up and down tho fine thoroughfare. This night the illuminations seemed brighter than ever, and the fatigues "Of "many a weary tramp were forgotten ns the gaily-bedecked cosmopolitan throng hurried along with full intent to utilise every fleeting hour. Jack Tar was very thirsty that night, and the local hotelkeepers found it- impossible even with crowds of assistants, to pour out sufficient liquor to keep pace with the demands of those who chose this popular method of celebrating. Here -and there a drunken sailor, escorted by his mates to his ship. or . a half-drunken one trying to get up a fight, marred the harmony of the scene, but as a whole the "crowd was -exceptionally well-behaved. O'ut in the harbor every available light was burning brilliantly. The hulls, funnels, masts, yards, and ropes were picked out in electric bulbs, go that, lying motionless in the water, the vessels looked more like phantom-ships for the voyage of the Queen of Fairyland than the monsters of war-reveal-ed in daylight. Each ship looked more beautiful than the other as it flashed dazzling searchlights like ribbons of light across the sky till the remote corners of Auckland’s distant suburbs were nicked out clear and distinctly by the penetrating glare, wliilse the group effect was indescribably charming. Auckland harbor has never presented such a- sight, and probably never will again, as she did on the night of the 14th Midnight- was tho time fixed- for all the members of the fleet, sailors and officers -alike, to be back to their sliiiis. and as there were close on 5000 ashore, the task of conveying them by launches and ferry boats to the ships was a huge contract. From 9 o’clock on, loads were being despatched and, despite the lingering nature of. fond farewells, the task was in some way or another accomplished.

DEPARTURE OF THE FLEET.

AN IMPRESSIVE PICTURE. At eight o’clock on Saturday morning the Connecticut, the flagship of the fleet, whose anchor had already been taken up, imperceptibly glided from the position winch she lmd occupied since Sunday, and with colors flying, bauds playing, and crowds cneoring, steered tor the open sea. Every one of the sixteen warships had steam up, and heavy clouds of smoke issued from the funnels as each in its turn took up the running and followed in tfle wake of the leader, until finally the harbor was deserted and nothing remained but a huge pall of black smoke hovering over the waters of the Waitemata, suitable mourning for a glory that was past. What a sight it was, and what a long line that array of battleships niado I Passing in a ferry boat alongside the Connecticut for some distance, wo slowed down opposite. Rangitoto, and watched the ships as they* rounded into the channel. It seemed that the end would never come. We were situated in the centre of a semi-circle of warships, and it was marvellous to watch the perfect order of the big vessels and the magnificent manner in which they were handled. Each one,as it passed by, received rousing efleers from the ferry boats, and even frqiii the North Shore hurrahs could bo distinctly heard across the watersThe Americans had been welcomed with courtesy, they were being farewelled with friendship. “There goes the Georgia; 1 was aboard her,’ exclaimed one delighted spectator, as lie lustilv howled his farewells to the sailors looking over the gangways, and it was just the same with each one as it passed by. “See, they’re waving their handkerchiefs,” excitedly called a bright, little Auckland gill, and she ran a great risk of toppling overboard as she reached over to wavo lier’s in return. “Look atthe poor fellows,” murmured another maiden, whose founts of sympathy had evidently been stirred t 0 their depths by the frankness and unconventiality of the lads in blue. The soulful remark was accompanied by ■a sigh that seemed to tell of manj-

things, and there can be no doubt that many u score of damsels are looking regretfully back at tlio passing of the jolly -and quaint American Jack Tar.

Tho fioot occupied about an hour and a-quarter in steaming around and out of the harbor. Steadily ship after ship passed us, until finally the hospital ship brought up tho rear. By this time the flagship was almost out of sight. Our ferry steamer was turned lor home, but everyone rushed to the stern and strained their eyes, and in almost unbroken silence they watched until the last of the warships, a tiny speck in tlio distance, had rounded the corner and vanished from sight. It was the last of the White Armada, and everyone seemed under the spell of a strange regret as it rapidly became a link with the past. Once .it was gone, however, tlio spell was broken, -and “How will the football'go this afternoon P was immediutelyiKfiie'bopic. New Zealanders had once more come into their own, and were all absorbed in the possibilities of the Aucklaud,Wellington match.

A GREAT GAME.

AUCKLAND v. WELLINGTON. An immense crowd watched tho Wellington-Auckland football match, and they saw one of the finst contests that have taken place in Alexandra Park for some time. The Auckhnd forwards looked much heavier than, their opponents, and tho liacks kicked 1 much better, but. the southeners made up for these disadvantages by a nippiness 'and dash that was remarkable to see, while of grit and determination they had a super-abundant supply. Their tackling was deadly, and their backs were very fast. Tire ball went. up and down the field rapidly, and in a very ~ open game the backs were kept oil tlie move the whole of the time. As a matter of fact, until tlie last quarter of an hour of the play, it looked to be anybody’s game. Then the “All Blacks” of the northern team, Francis, Seeling, Nicholson, -and Gillett, seemed to get a fresh .lease of life, and with an irresistible rush penned the "Wellington team in’their twenty-five. A try converted gave Auckland a substantial lead, and the southerner’s formerly superb defence then fell to pieces, and the Auckland forwards simply ran over them during the remaining period of play. It was a fitting climax to Auckland’6 , great week, and they went- home , mightily pleased-with the world in, general, and themselves in particular.

AMERICAN DESERTERS.

CAPTURED -BY POLICE. [Phess Association.] AUCKLAND, August 16. Already the Inspector of Police has in his charge two deserters from the battleships, and has been requested bythe Consul-General (Mr, W. A. Prickitt) to hold them until a guard from the auxiliary Yankton (which is still in Auckland) can come ashore to take them on hoard. The men will then be taken to Sydney, where they will again be placed on their respective vessels. During the week about .12 desertions have been reported to the Con-sul-General, but many of these may 1 have returned to their, ships as cases were reported daily. "