FRENCH SLOOP SAILS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 118, 22 May 1939, Page 12

FRENCH SLOOP SAILS.

HOSPITALITY APPRECIATED. I I'LKASANT .MK.MOniKS OK VISIT. "We arc very pleased to have visited Auckland, even for so short a time," said ( apitaine do Frcgatc. Arzur, comma nder of tlii' French floop Dumont d'l'rville, which left for Tonga yesterday after a ctay of 12 days. After expressing gratitude for the kindly reception accorded himaclf, his officers and his crew, (apitaine Arzur said lie and his company were particulinly pleased to have met the authorities, civil, nnvjil and military. They would keep the most pleasant memories of their i-t:iy hero, and hoped tonic day to ret in n.

The generous manner in which the nllicfiv mid members of the crew had lieen invited to the himies of private citizens was commented on by Capitaine de Corvette Favre. second-in-comma ml of the sloop. '"It was very enjoyable." he said, "to find such willing hospitality when we were so far from home. Visits of this nature do much to strengthen the friendship between Oreat Britain and France." (apitaine Favre said tile officers of the Dumont d't'rville were very grateful to the variolic; organisations that had received them, including the Catholic Club, the Xavy League and the Seamen's Institute."

The crowd which assembled at Western wharf to bid farewell to the sloop and her complement was evidence of the popularity of the visitors. Among those to pay official farewell calls were the port chaplain, the Rev. H. K. Vickery, and the Consular Agent for Fiance, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, to whom Capitainc Arzur lianded an official message for the Mayor. The sloop sailed at 10 a.m., with members of the crew standing at attention on tlfe deck. The tug Te Awhina was in attendance, but her services were not needed.