POPULAR WARSHIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 182, 3 August 1929, Page 13

POPULAR WARSHIP.

• CROWDS VISIT FRENCH CRUISER. SAILING 1 TIME ALTERED. OPEN TO PUBLIC TO-MORROW. 1 , Like a swarm of bees, a crowd of " people, estimated to number in the vicinity of 3000, yesterday afternoon j went up the gangways of the French cruiser, berthed at the Central wharf. r * 5 The officers and men on duty had an exceedingly busy time supervising the " inspection from 1'.30 to 4.30 p.m. Judging by the number visiting the ship this 3 afternoon, the total of visitors aboard ; during the stay of the vessel will run > into many thousands. The public will ; also be allowed to inspect to-morrow . afternoon. Captain Abrial and eight officers, j accompanied by Mr. D. Ardell, of the j Internal Affairs Department, are on a ' trip to the thermal district, and will , return to-morrow. Commander J. H. P. ; de Bronac de Vazellies is in charge of - the cruiser during the absence of the ; captain. > Parties of the officers and men were [ taken on motor tours'yesterday by mem- ; bers of the Auckland Automobile Assoi ciation and,others, and in the evening ; attended a picture, matinee at the invii tation of the Victoria League, in con- [ junction with the-Mission to Seamen . Institute. This evening two of the . basketball teams will play at the ; Y.M.C.A., and to-night numbers of offi- ; cers and men will be at various cabarets. On Monday a party of officers will be entertained by the Auckland branch of the League of Nations Union; The ■ visitors will be motored around the city i and suburbs, and will be treated to after- ! noon tea at the Mount Eden Kiosk. A i church parade of officers and men will be ; held at St. Patrick's Cathedral to-mor-i row at 9 a.m. The service will be con- : ducted by Bishop Cleary, who will 4 " be ■ assisted by Father B. J. Gondringer, i The Tourville will leave for Wollingi ton earlier than previpusly announced. . The vessel will get away after the recep- : tion, to take place between 2 and 5 p.m. . on Tuesday, the alteration in sailing time being essential to enable the vessel ; to be in the capital city for a Vice-Regal i reception fixed for Thursday. After re- , fuelling at Wellington, thd cruiser will ; proceed to Brisbane. It is now unlikely , that the cruiser's 'planes will take the air during the visit, as Lieutenant Bel- , lando has not sufficiently recovered from . inquiry received at Nouniea to make the . injury received at Noumea to make the Visit to Waitomo. Commanders de Vazeles and Le Moaliyon, with eight officers of the French cruiser Tourville, visited the Waitomo Caves on Wednesday as guests of the Government. The party, which was , accompanied by Mr. C. IT. Furlong, of , the Department of Internal Affairs was met by representatives of the Te Kuiti and Otorohanga Returned Soldiers' Association. Mr. J. C. Rolleston, in extending a welcome to the visitors on behalf of the returned soldiers, mentioned that ! lie had not, during the war, had the pleasure of meeting the French people on their own soil. The only occasion on which lie had come in contact with them had been when the Main New Zealand Division was wearing Port Said. The troopships had passed a, French warship in the Red Sea and the French bluejackets lined up on the decks of the latter and sang the "Marseillaise." In the course of his reply, Commander Vazeles said he remembered the incident quite clearly, as he had been in command of the French warship to which Mr. Rolleston referred. The revealing of this coincidence was the signal for recalling many war episodes by Commander Vazeles and Mr. Rolleston, and the mutual desire for the continuance of the friendship between Great Britain and Franco was expressed. In the evening after the caves had been visited a complimentary dance was tendered in the Waitomo Caves Hall, which was attended by over 200 visitors from Te Kuiti, Otorohanga and Piopio. Around the Ship. The ship's company includes, apart from the band, some highly qualified musicians. The Tourville does hot carry a piano, but there are several' accomplished pianists and other instrumentalists. The meteorological service of the warship consists of an officer and two men, who, in a special compartment of the post office wireless—distinct from the main wireless equipment station—make daily climatic observations and keep official records for French naval headquarters. Attired in the smart khaki uniform of an officer of the French Infantry is Captain F. Jonquieres, who travelled from France specially commissioned to inspect troops stationed in French colonies during the cruise of the Tourville. Saving Stamps'. Visitors are often curious as to how the marines fill in their leisure time apart from shore leave. Many of them have quaint hobbies and quite a number have become stamp collectors since the cruise commenced and keenly look for the postage stamps of the various countries visited. Officers with representative assortments in albums are Captain Villebrun and Second-Lieut.-Em gineer B. Bonnefoi and Second-Lieut. P. Deparseval. Although not philatelists in the strictest sense of the word, they take a pride in collecting and show an interest in anybody who can assist them by way of «xchange or otherwise. . Whilst discussing this matter with a well-spoken signalman a reporter was shown a liumber of the new blue fifty' centime stamp issued by the French Government' about six months ago to commemorate the centenary , of Joan of Arc, It -is an' attractive design with an " illustration of the historic woman martyr seated on her steed inspiring her beloved people.