LAST DAY IN WELLINGTON

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 26, 31 January 1923, Page 5

LAST DAY IN WELLINGTON

CONSUL ENTERTAINS VfSITOBS.

Yesterday was the final day of th« visit of members of the French 1 Mission to Wellington, and various function* brought the visitors' stay to a pleasant conclusion.

A lunch was given at the Midland) Hotel to the Admiral and hk staff officers of the Jules Michelet and the members of the French Mission by the Consular Aj;ent, Mr. O. R. Bendall. Ths guests nresent included the Admiral and his staff, Governor Guyon, M. Chauvel, the Prime Minister. Sir Francis Bell, Sir Heaton Rhodes, the Hon. W. Downie Stewart, the Mayor, General Sir Edward Chaytor, Captain G. D. Hamilton, and the Consular representatives o£ the Allied Countries—Mr. G. F. Johnston (BeluiunO. Mr. li. O. H. Trin- (Italy),- and Mr. D. F. Wilfeer, Consul-General for the United States. There were also other prominent citizens, and some of the leading business men of the oity,

After the toasts of the Kins and the President of the French Republic had been honoured, the French Consul briefly referred to the objects of the visit of the ship. He addressed a few words in. conclusion in French to the Admiral, and congratulated him unon the success which he had attained as a special am-' baesador from France od his important mission. At the request of the French Consul, Mr. Massey save a valedictory address to the distinguished visitors,_J;}j& function being the. last at which they; would have the opportunity of meeting.

Admiral Gillv on behalf of his officers and the members of the Mission, expressed his eratitude fqr the welcome . which had been accorded them. He was \ profoundly touched by the expressions of affection for his country which he had heard durine his visit, and would taka away with him the kindest remembrances of this, delightful country in which ha regretted hie stay was so short.

Members of the crew ,6f the French cruiser Jules Michelet. had a. day out and tr" night out yesterday, visiting tho eastern side of the harbour in the afternoon, and attending a smoke concert arranged by the Returned Soldiers' Association in the evening. At Day's Bay the Frenchmen were the guests of the City Council at a function in tho pavilion. The Mayor (Mr. R. A. Wright, M-.P.) extended a hearty welcome to the sailors, and expressed the hope thai they would carry back to France fond memories of New Zealand. Master Torpilleui Eudes briefly responded, thanking tb* Mayor for the many kindnesses that had been extended to them during their stay in the city.

The accommodation of the Wellington Returned Soldiers' Clubrooms was taxed to ite utmost in the evening. The president, Mr. G. Mitchell, occupied the chair. The toast "Our Allies," was proposed by the president, and responded. to by one of the guests in hie native • tonffiie. France, he said, would neve* forjjet the part played by New Zealand in the Great War, and the French sail-' ors were very glad to know they had so many friends in a land far distant from their own. Many of the reports about France's attitude during the present crisis,., he said, were false. It was France's duty to make Germany pay not only for the devastation wrought during; the war, but also for the suffering cans, cd.

The only other toast proposed waa "The Laclies of France." A number bt musical items were given. ,