"VIVE LA FRANCE."

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16415, 8 January 1919, Page 7

"VIVE LA FRANCE."

ARRIVAL OF FRENCH MISSION. ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION OF GENERAL PAU. CITIZENS' SPLENDID WELCOME. In propitious circumstances as regards weather and with an outburst of sincere enthusiasm the French Mission, headed by the veteran General Pau, was duly welcomod to Christchurch and to Canterbury yesterday. The day was a strenuous one for overy member of the Mission, tho intervals between the various engagements being short in duration. As the ferry steamer, tho Maori, approached the moles at Lyttelton, tho members of the Mission saw a happy augury in their beloved tricolour floating in the breeze from the masthead of the fine French ship, the Duquesno, which, in honour of the occasion, was bedecked with bunting. After the official welcome by tho Mayor of Lyttelton, General Pau and the members of the Mission, accompanied by Sir James Allen, the Act-ing-Prime Minister, entrained for tho city, the Mission being officially welcomed at the railway station by Colonel R. A. Chaffey, Officer Commanding the Canterbury Military District, Lieutenant H. G. do F. Garland, M.C., A.D.C. to his Excellency tho Governor-General, and Mr George Humphreys, the Consular agent for France in Christchurch. Greetings having been exchanged, the members of the Mission wero motored to Warner's Hotel, their headquarters, during their stay in the city. A goodly display of bunting, in ' which the French tricolour was well represented, was made from the public and other buildings in the city, and the citizens throughout the day took the liveliest interest in the doings of tho Mission. . Formal calls took up the greater part of the morning, and at noon the Mission was accorded a civic welcome in the Theatre Royal. Tho building | was filled with an audience that un- i stintedly, whole-heartedly, and with ] fervid enthusiasm made the visitors from France feel themselves at home and in the midst of friends and wellwishers. The Mayor of Christ church (Mr H. Holland) welcomed tho Mission in an address animated by brotherliness; he also took advantage of tho occasion to present General Pau with an address of appreciation from i,he Christchurch Returned Soldiers' Association. Sir James Allen followed with a stirring speech, in which ho expressed the close ieoling of friendliness between the peoples of the British Empire and the people of Franco. General Pau received a tremendously enthusiastic reception when he rose to respond to tho meeting's welcome. Aithougn General Pau spoke in his native language, the mipasbtoned luituio of his eloquence, the humour which he introduced here and there, tho appropriateness of gesture, and, übove all, the earnestness of his tones greatly impressed tho large audience. 'J he address of General Pau was frequently punctuated by hearty rounds of applause, cheering, and with waving of nats and other outward manifest iuons of the greatest enthusiasm. In the afternoon the members of the Mission arid a number of representative citizens were the guests of tho Mayor of Christchurch at luncheon an Warner's Hotel. Afterwards the Mission split up into separate parties. General Pau, accompanied by his A.D.C., M. le Commandant d'Andre, visited 'the City Council Chambers and later, with other members of the Mission, journeyed to tho Dyer's Pass Rest House, finishing the afternoon by, inspecting tho conservatories at Mona Vale, Mr W. Nicholls's residence in Fcndalton. M. Andre Siegfried, the general secretary of the Mission, with several of his colleagues, conferred with the president of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce (Mr P. Davidson) .on matters connected with trade betweon the Dominion and France; and later M. Siegfried met members of the Professorial Board of Canterbury College. In the afternoon M. Henri Corbiere visited Lincoln College, mul in the evening M. Siegfried met representatives of labour at the Trades Hall. LYTTELTON'S RECEPTION. More than usual interest was centred on the arrival of the ferry steamer Maori at Lyttelton yesterday morning, for among tho vessel's passengers were the distinguished visitors comprising the French Mission. A lively interest was taken in the arrival of the Mission by the fine ship Duquesne's officers and crew, composed entirely of Frenchmen, soma of whom have fought recently on tho battlefields of France. At an early hour the vessel was decorated with buiiting, presenting a gay appearance, and the sailors waited in expectant excitement for the appearance of the ferry steamer outside the moles. When at length the vessel came into view ringing cheers wore given, and the French Ensign was dipped. By the time the steamer had come alongside her berth a number of people had gathered on the wharf, many scanning tho crowd assembled on deck for a glimpso of the French visitors, who were subsequently mot on the ship's deck by Mr W. T. Lester (Mayor of Lyttelton). Mr L. A. Stringer (Town Clerk), Cr. J. T. Norton, and Captain Menier, of the Duquesne. The Mayor, addressing the Mission, said that ho was proud to have the privilege of extending to such worthy representatives of our great Ally a hearty welcome to Lyttelton, tho gateway to the province of Canterbury. He trusted that' their brief sojourn in the district would be a source of pro-1 fit and pleasure to them, and that the j bonds of friendship existing between the British and French would be strengthened as a result of the visit. General Pau, who appeared in military uniform, responded in French, Dr. Siegfried interpieting. He thanked j the Mayor for hib cordial reception, ] and expressed gratification that steamer arrangements would probably enable the Mission to extend its stay in tho Dominion. The members wish-1 ed to personally thank the people of: New Zealand for their generous as-' sistance during the w.-.r, and it was the hope of the Mission that the spirit of friendship and goodwill fosterod on the battlefields would be for ever iaaintained. General Pau entered into conversation for a few moments with Captain Menier, whom he had previously met at San when tho Mission

was visiting that city. When th«» General, whose uniform proclaimed his identity, appeared at the head of the steamer s gangway, he was greeted with cheers, and Bhouts of "Vivo 1* France," by the crowd assembled on the wharf. AT THE RAILWAY STATION. The ferry train from Lyttelton reached Christchurch a little beforo halfpast eight o'clock, and General Pau and the members of the Mission, who were in the first carriage, wero oJhciallv welcomed by Colonel It. A. Chaifey, O.C. the Canterbury Military District, Lieutenant H. G. de F. Garland, A.D.C. to his Excellency the Governor-General, and Mr George Humphreys, the Consular agent for Franco. Amongst others who were present were: Major C. V. Leomingj (Acting-General Staff Officer), Major It. S. Matthews (Assistant Quarter-master-General), Captain D. M. Robertson (Assistant-Adjutant-General), Lieutenant Humphreys, Dr. Kennedy (Administrator of the Christchurch Diocese), Dean Regnault (St. Mary's, Christchurch), and Dean Riley (Rangiora). Greetings were exchanged, and the visitors as they left in motors for their hotel wore cheered by the crowd outside the station. The function at the station was hardly of a public character, though there was a fairly large crowd of interested spectators. COURTESY CALLS.' General Pau was kept fairly btrey during the morning in paying courtesy calls. .At ten o'clock, General Pau, accompanied by M. lo Commandant d'Andre, paid a formal visit to his Excellency the Governor-General at) "Te Koraha," where his Excellency is for a day or so tho guest of Mr Arthur E. G. Rhodes. On Friday, when their Excellencies will bo ir»~ stalled at "Elmwood," their official iosidence in Christchurch, all the members of tho Mission will be formally presented to his Excellency, whose guests they will be at luncheon. Accompanied by M. le Commandant d'Andre. M. Georges Bader, secretary and treasurer of the Mission, and Caotain I>. J. C. Bryan, General Pau callod on Mr George Humphreys. Consular agent for France; and also on the Mnyor of Christchurch (Mr H. Holland). General Pau during the day also called upo.n Colonel Chnffey and upon his Lordship Bishop Brodie.