FRENCH CRUISER ARRIVES

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 261, 31 July 1929, Page 10

FRENCH CRUISER ARRIVES

TOURVILLE AT AUCKLAND INTERESTING CRUISE IN ISLANDS Dominion Special Service. Auckland, July 30. The French cruiser Tourville steamed into port this morning without the aid of a pilot and anchored until pratique had been granted; she then berthed with perfect precision, quite scorning the assistance of a tug. It was a fine bit of seamanship on the part of Captain Abrial. When rounding- North Head the cruiser fired a salute of twenty-one guns, which was answered by the batteries ashore and the guns of the warship Diomede. Official calls were then exchanged, the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle representing the Government. The arrival of the Tourville at Central Wharf was witnessed by a large gathering of the public from beyond th" iron fences, and keen interest was taken from that distance in the events on board. As the cruiser came to berth her band played a medley of national airs, in which British and American tunes and airs of other Allies were included. While the guard stood at attention the commander came ashore, an event which caused a special stir of interest among the crowd. Officers of the Tourville, few of whom speak English fluently, say that so far they have had an interesting and colourful cruise. As for hospitality —well, that has at all times been adequate and sometimes even embarrassing. “People everywhere have wished to do so much' for us,” said one, “that w- have been in a whirl. We have greatly appreciated their kindness.” One has only to visit an officer in his cabin to realise how lavishly gifts were pressed upon the Frenchmen by the generous people of the Pacific islands. There are mats and charms, shells and trophies which serve as reminders of happy associations. In some of the cabins are splendid specimens of stags' heads, and thereby hangs a tale. It was during a ten days’ visit to New Caledonia that parties of officers and men went hunting in the mountains.

“We had excellent sport,” said one of the officers, “and in all between 300 and 400 stags were bagged by our friends and ourselves. We were taken to the mountains in motor-cars and then we climbed on foot, taking horses to carry the trophies when we got them. In one day a party of three officers, six petty officers and eight sailors got 14 stags. Other parties were equally successful. It was grand sport.” Just behind the cruiser’s second smoke stack on a platform are two modern aeroplanes—one a big CAMS, amphibian machine, in which is installed a 450 h.p. Loraine Deitrich engine, and the other an F.B.A. seaplane, a smaller aircraft, fitted with a 180 h.p. Hispano Suiza engine. These two machines are designed more for reconnaissance work than for fighting. Really they are the “eyes” of the ship, for each is able to leave the cruiser and fly to a great height and to report its observation to the ship by wireless. The latest type of radio is fitted to each machine, and as it flies messages may be sent and also received. WELLINGTON RECEPTION. Members of the Navy League are notified by advertisement that a reception will be accorded Captain Abrial and the officers of the French cruiser Tourville at the Majestic Theatre on Monday, August 12, from 8 p.m. till 1 • a.m. A special kinema programme will be presented., after which all the officers and members will adjourn for supper. The remainder of the evening will be spent in dancing. Officers from H.M.S. Dunedin will also be present. As the accommodation is limited, all members are requested to call at the Navy League office for the tickets without delay.