ARRIVAL OF THE FRENCH CRUISER DUCHAFFAULT.

A very unusual sight in Port Chalmers is that of two war vessels of different nations anchored in close proximity to each other. This was the case yesterday when the French cruiser Duchaffault, from the South Seas, arrived in the lower harbour.

The Duchaffault is a handsome-looking wooden vessel, barque rigged, and known as one of the third class of unprotected cruisers of the French Navy. She is of 1350 tons displacement, and was built at the celebrated naval yard at Brest in 1872. Her dimensions are :—Length, 204 ft 7in ; breadth of beam, 34ft lin; and depth of hold 13ft 7in ; her draught of water being some 16ft. • She has engines of 1200-hqrse power nominal, which are capable of maintaining a speed of 126 knots an hour on an easy consumption of coal. The Duchaffault is splendidly equipped, her armament consisting of six sim 3-ton breechloading rifled guns, with five machine guns of the most recent type, and these, together with all the usual small arms, are in superb condition. The ship's company are an exceptionally fine-looking lot of men, and consist of 155 of all grades, under the command of M. Mauceron, capltaine dv frugate. M. Allemand, lieutenant de vaisseau, is second in command; M. Faure is second lieutenant ; MM. Martin and Olergeau are ensignes de vaisseau (or sub-lieutenants); and M. Guy Chaunac de Lansac is aspirant (or midshipman). DvMazet is surgeon in charge, and M. Paul Godey is commissaire (or paymaster). The Duchaffault was in Chili during the recent revolution there, and has since made an extensive cruise, during which she has visited Cherbourg, Teneriffe, Monte Video, Valparaiso, Tahiti, Samoa, Fiji, Noumea, Sydney, Melbourne, and Hobart. It is intended she shall remain in the lower harbour for a few days and then go north, after which she proceeds to Callao. No doubt during his stay here Captain Mauceron, with that courtesy which always distinguishes gentlemen of his nation, will throw her open for the inspection of the public. She left Hobart on the 13th inst., and had moderate winds with fine weather on the passage across; was brought into port yesterday forenoon by Pilot M'Donald, and anchored in the lower harbour. Immediately after anchoring she saluted H.M.S. Goldfinch with 21 guns, and at noon the Goldfinch returned the compliment with a similar salute. Shortly after her arrival she was visited by Mr P. C. Neill, the Vice-consul of France; while' Lieutenantcommander Floyd, of H.M.S. Goldfinch, also paid a visit to Captain Mauceron.