THE COUNTESS DE COURTE'S RECEPTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4, 5 January 1903, Page 2

THE COUNTESS DE COURTE'S RECEPTION.

The reception given by the Count and Countess de Courte at the Grand Hotel on Saturday night, to meet the officers of the French cruiser Protet, was a very charming and successful gathering. The handsome drawingroom had been tastefully decorated with flags, flowers and ferns, and here the guests on arrival were received by the host and hostess, with Captain Archimbaud. Among those present were the Chief Justice, His Worship the Mayor, the officers of H.M.s. Penguin, the various foreign Consuls, Sir George Clifford, and a number of promiment Auckland citizens. The Right Rev. Dr. Lenihan and Sir Maurice O'Rorke and Lady O'Rorke sent letters of apology. After an interval, devoted to conversation and music, during which Miss Thompson sang with great taste and feeling, the guests adjourned to the large diningroom, where supper was spread, the appointments and menu doing full jiistiee to the cuisine department of the Grand. The Count de Courte proposed the toasts of the President of the French Republic and King Edward, which were duly honoured. The Count then proposed the toast of "Auckland and its kind inhabitants" in a capital little speech. He alluded to the feelings of regret with which the Countess and himself had broken up their home in Wellington, where they had made so many good friends, to come to a city where they were almost unknown, but the kindness and hospitality which they had received from the citizens of Auckland had soon made them feel at home. They were delighted with the city and its people. The officers of the Protet also appreciated the cordiality with which they were met on every hand. The* Mayor duly responded for the citizens, and Captain Archimbaud, speaking in French, on behalf of himself and his'officers, returned thanks for the courtesy which they had received from the Mayor and citizens, and expressed the pleasure which the visit had given them. The guests then returned to the drawing-room, finally making their adieux about half-past eleven o'clock, after spending a most delightful evening.