FRENCH SLOOP AT AUCKLAND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 9 May 1939, Page 6

FRENCH SLOOP AT AUCKLAND

WELCOMED BY BIG CROWD ROUND OF ENTERTAINMENTS ORGANISED lUniled Prene Association) AUCKLAND, This Day. A salute of 21 guns was fired by the French sloop Dumont D’Urville as she rounded North Head at 8.30 o’clock this morning and a response was made by the boom of the big guns from North Head. A further salute of elevey guns was exchanged between the visitor and the H.M.S. Leander off the naval I base. I Naval ratings from the H.M.S. Leand!er assisted to berth the sloop at the j Western wharf and the crowd, steadily I increasing in numbers, welcomed the ' Frenchmen. | The French Consular Agent, Mr G. I W. Hutchison, paid a courtesy call and ihe was jointed later by Captain De i Fregate Arzur on courtesy calls to the i chairman of the Harbour Board, the Mayor and military and naval officer.. | The ship’s company of twelve officers I and 125 men will have considerable shore leave during the ten days visit land the vessel will be docked. A b-ound of entertainments has. been arranged by local bodies and various dubs. The Dumont D’Urville, which is named after the famous French navigator. is one of the French Far East [ squadron and is stationed in the South Pacific. On the way to New Zealand I s h e called at Townsville. Queensland.