OUTWARD BOUND.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 213, 9 September 1935, Page 8

OUTWARD BOUND.

SHINTOKU MARU. CAPTAIN'S MESSAGE OF THANKS. « GENEROUS HOSPITALITY." After a week's stay at Auckland the Japanese training barquentine Shintoku Maru left her berth at the King's wharf this afternoon and sailed for Kobe, where she is due to arrive in some 50 days. In a special message for publication in the "Auckland Star" the commander, Captain X. Hayashi, expressed his appreciation of the hospitality that had been extended to him, his officers, cadets and crew during their visit to New Zealand. '"On leaving New Zealand waters on our honicbound voyage this afternoon, I desire on behalf of all the officers and cadets and men of the Shintoku Main to express our deep appreciation (if courtesies extended to us by the Government and tin; public," he said. "We were even overwhelmed by their warm friendship. Most of the officers were also happy in renewing their old and delightful acquaintances they made hero two years ago. Once again we are going to fairy with us most pleasant memories of your country and people. We always believe that the personal contact of this kind would be invaluable in fostering the better understanding between the two nations. Anxious to Return Hospitality. "As we realise your most "onerous hospitality while we were here, wo are anxious to be given some op[>ortnnity to repay it by having us many visitors from New Zealand waters as possible : to ours. Friendship displayed to us, we take it, is the friendship you have in your hearts for Japan. We are truly grateful of it and ready to do our little part whenever we receive visitors from New Zealand. "Before I go I would like to apologise again to those people who expected us at Wellington. It was due to altogether unavoidable circumstances that we were forced to disappoint them by calling at the first and nearest harbour of shelter after the most terrific storm we ever had in our long sea life. "We wish you best of luck and prosperity and hope we may meet again." Captain Hayashi said that there was a possibility of the Shintoku Maru returning to New Zealand in a few years' time. If that eventuated all would look forward to renewing' the many friendships that had been made both during this and the previous visit of the barquentine. A number of the cadets would in any rase visit New Zealand as apprentice officers on board one of the merchant vessels trading to New Zealand.