"AT HOME"

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 128, 24 February 1938, Page 4

"AT HOME"

Captain, And Officers Of Jeanne d'Arc

Charming hosts and wonderfully attentive to their guests, Captain Paul Auphan and officers of the visiting French cruiser, Jeanne d’Arc, were “At Home” from 4 to 6.30 yesterday to a large number of people. The guests were received at the top of the gangway by Captain Auphan, and were then shown to the quarterdeck, which had been completely enclosed for the occasion with a red and white striped awning. In the centre was a pergola-like arrangement of lycapodium and roses surrounded by tall pot-palms. Around the deck were grouped chairs, With here and there further pot-palms by, way of decoration. The mi>n portion,of the deck was cleared for dancing, music being played by the ship’s band, which was ensconced on a dais beneath two guns. In the lecture-room, on an upper deck, were served a variety of particularly delicious buffet dishes, including french pastries and numerous tempting sweetmeats. French wines and fruit cup were also very popular for the day was unusually warm. In this room were two objects that attracted much attention. One was a silver miniature of Fremet’s famous equestrian statue of Joan of Arc, which stands in Paris.' This was presented to the ship by the builders. The other was a marble medallion of Joan of Arc, presented by the sculptor, Maxime del Sarte.

A number of guests were later entertained by Captain Auphan in • his cabin, the deck outside which was furnished as a lounge, the tables being decorated with bowls of hydrangeas. The officers made excellent hosts and were hept very busy seeing that their guests wanted for nothing. Many of them speak English quite welt, and were (thus able to converse happily with those whom they met. Wellington has found much favour with the visitors, who expressed atlmiration for the city and the surroundings. Those who were; invited to the “At Home” included representatives from Government House, Ministers of the Crown and their wives, members of the Legislative Council, the mayor and mayoress, the French Consular Agent (Colonel Beere), representatives of the military, the Navy and the Air Force, the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, the president of the French Club (Dr. Marshall Macdonald) and Mrs. Macdonald, representatives of various Governments, members of the Consular Corps, Trade Commissioners, representatives of the harbour board, the hospital board, the education board, the Navy League, the Chamber of Commerce, shipping companies, the Red Cross, the Returned Soldiers’ Association, the city corforation and various local bodies; also suburban mayors and chairmen of town boards. In addition, there were also present a number of personal friends of the officers, who were thus able 'to return hospitality received during their stay in Wellington. Very much at home among their countrymen were the French residents’of Wellington, who, naturally, have hailed the visit of the Jeanne d’Arc with delight. Visit To Museum On Tuesday morning and yesterday morning, Mrs. Oliver; wife of Captain R. D. Oliver, R.N., took 60 cadets from the Jeanne d’Arc to the Dominion Museum, where they were shown around by Mr. W. J. Phillips. A film of Maori life was screened for the visitors, who expressed great interest in the subject. The native exhibits in the museum also proved extremely interesting to them. Selections played especially for them on the carillon were greatly appreciated. The visitors thanked Mrs. Oliver most warmly for her hospitality.