Achilles Cynosure Of Auckland Eyes

Northern Advocate, 26 February 1940, Page 6

Achilles Cynosure Of Auckland Eyes

[Special to “Northern Advocate ”] AUCKLAND, This Day. Large crowds visited the Central Wharf yesterday to view H.M.S. Achilles. There were several thousand people on the wharf together, and harbour board officials estimated that up to the middle of the afternoon at least 15,000 people had been on to the wharf. General leave for as many men as possible has now' commenced. French Congratulations Messages of greeting and congratulation to H.M.S. Achilles from the French Republic and the Commonwealth of Australia were acknowledged on Saturday by the New Zealand Government. In a cablegram to the French Minister of Marine, the Governor-Gener-al (Lord Galway) expressed the Government’s appreciation, and added: “The good wishes of our gallant French ally are warmly valued here, and the reading of your message was most enthusiastically received.” Mr Savage's reply to Mr Menzies, Commonwealth Prime Minister, was: “I deeply appreciate the message you were so kind as to send us in connection with the return to New Zealand of H.M.S. Achilles. Your message was broadcast throughout the Dominion, and was read to the assembled ship's complement. The Government and people of New Zealand share with them the fullest appreciation of the goodwill of the Government and people of their sister Dominion, Australia.”