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AUCKLAND'S WELCOME.

BATTLE-CRUISER IN PORT, A DAY OF CEREMONIALS.

FLAPS AND FRIENDLY GUNS. The I>>mch battle-cruiser Jules Michelet, .after an easy and a leisurely voyage from Sydney, entered the port of Auckland yesterday morning to a stirring welcome from friendly fort and navy cannon. The rare charms of the Waitemata were radiant for the unique occasion —the first visit, to New Zealand by a formidable warship on the novel mission for the promotion of Allied trade in peace as between countries who were allies in the greatest of all wars. It was probably as pleasant for RearAdmiral Gilly, "the members of the French trade mission, and all ranks of the cruising armee de mer, a3 though the flagship had been entering their home port of Marseilles. Conditions recalled the Mediterranean and the coast familiar to the visitors. The weather was perfect, and a delight after the heat- of Sydney, An open sky of larkspur blue; midsummer sunshine as at Toulon in May; and a cool friendly breeze (as off fardistant Alps) softening the promise of heat and st ating the noble tricolour, on sin; avui in the harbour and the city. And everywhere the ready goodwill and greetings oi friendship and rare memories. The Cruiser's Arrival. It was thus a stimulating scene a little nftu- eight Vdock as the Jules Michelet rounded the iSerth Head with the silver c.oud of her salute in response .to the rearing' welcome firm tV.e fort's f »as on the hill. streaking 'to- "black coil?,»!*.- snio'i iran her four dwarfish funnels, and toget her for a moment eclipsing the contour of Tuirigitcio. The sound of cannon was the first signal to hundreds of citizens on both shores of.' the Waitemata to hasten from breakfast and gain the pleasure of seeing a great ship of var r ~;ide easily to an. anchorage in Ihn i-trtam. A moment later the guns of H.M.N.Z.S. Chatham fired the commodore's salute to an admiral's flagship, whose cannon, returned the traditional courtesy. <■ Such were the official greetings and exchange of ceremonial courtesies. There ■we-te others, and just as much appreciated, if not quite as impressive. These were the friendly exchanges of welcome as between the fair and brawny workers passing to town on ferry boats,' and the eager merry maielots on "the cruiser, all grey except the barbettes showing a glistening black in the morning sun. It was easy, it was exhilarating, to note the entente cord:ale in the vigorous hurrahs of New Zcaiandcu* and the vivacious vivats of the seameu of France. ;■ * I'kfl Ceremonial Galls. There, were many ceremonial calls throughout the day, and the pleasant exchange of courtesies enabled hundreds of leisured citizens to observe the way of the "navv and the representative authorities on such occasions. / The first of these visits was that made by Commodore Hotham h'on\, H.M.N.Z.S. Chatham; , who was greeted at the gangway of iihe Jules Michelet by Admiral ■ vly, with whom he exchanged courtesies. ' :.' <er brief and formal cads were made by ij.' chairman. of the Auckland Harbour Board, Mr. S. JR. Mackenzie, the board's ",cr:retarv, A: ?. H. B. Burnett, the hart&iirraasteiy Captain Lacey, the Minister for Education and Health., Hon. C. J. Pavr, as ' representative of the Government, the Mf-yor, Mr. *J. FT. • Otunson ; . end She town clerk of Auckland, Mr. J. S. Brigham, in that order. j Keen public interest was displayed in , {lie exchange of calls between Admirat Gi'ly and tfe Governor-General, Viscount Jeilictie of Scapa, two _ distinguished sailors with war service in the Allied navies. Their visits appealed to the imagination of the' eager spectators who crowded against the ■ barricade*! entrance to the inan-o'-war. launch step*; A little before ten o'clock ilia boom of 11 guns on the cruiser proclaimed that the admiral was leaving the flagship' to visit Government House. 'On the first stroke of the hour a trim pinnace manned by matelot* with tricolour caps with rad bobs arrived at the launch steps. There was no demonstration as the distinguished visitor with the traditional frock, Cocked hat, and ep?.uletr<Js of a rear-admiral stepped ashore, but many hats were doffed in salute as he entered the Vice-Rsgal limouisine. Admiral Gilly was accompanied by his iiido-de-camp, Flag-Lieutenant de Yaisseay Amet, and bv Governor Guyon, hew of the Trade Mission, and the" Consii. v ; fcr France, M. Leon !"lippeau. The ' admiral's call np&r. - %he «o vprror-Generr' ...was returned. 'at '11 o'cack by l«rd Jellicce, who was accompanied by his, aid&?-de-Carap/ Captain M&udy and Caotain Southey. On the Jules Michelet the Governor-General was received by Admiral Gilly and staff, who gave him. a most cordial greeting. The British National Anthem was played by the ship's band, and the ship's company .v.oorf ' uti attention. Lord Jellicoe inspected fee guard before proceeding to the saloon ibr a friendly talk with the staff.- A royal salute of 21 guns was fired as Lord Jellicoe took his departure.

. Many Other Calls Beceived. Apart frp'ii the official visits to the Juleij Michej'ef/ yesterday many calls were made by/ £re?.*"esfiatai»\ves of State departments and Auckland aasiv-'iiatioiis. Among such visitors were the ; -ecretary ' to the Board of Trade, Air, J. "W. Collins; Mr, W. J, Wigj?B, M- the Public Works Department ; the chairman of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, Mr. 1,7;' L. Stewart ; the chamber's secretary, Mr. C. Tewsley; and the president oi the Industrial Association, Mr. J. A. C. A Hum. The only official ceremonial call to-day will be made by the officer commanding the Northern Command, Colonel U, R. Potter.

Members of the French Trade Missioi. were the guests of the Auckland Club at luncheon yesterday, and liter they wert» motored around the city and suburbs by the Auckland Automobile Association. From to-day formality will give way to the more enjoyable freedom of civic friendship to the visitors, and it is certain they will find Auckland a happy •rad 3 hospitable centre. The Jtite M;chelat "will berth on the s&te of h-o Quran's Wharf ear'.y this morning, a-aa_ .visitor?, will be permitted on boaid during the aft', noon. Ti„.v arrangements for future visits of inspect ■: in hav< not yet been definitely /'Ted, it i: anticipated tha numerous oppor-tu.Tiir:-f5 w .'ill ho afforded the public io inap: r, ire riiip. lesterday .Admiral Gilly informed the }:?'V t rcr, Mr. H. Ounsonj that the bio,{ of 22 instrumentalists &ox be available f..v evening concerts in A'bert Park. The offer was acceptor! b> she Mayor on behalf -A the citizen?, ami the band will lay this evening and to-aorrow night irr„%i» \rn Par's fror.i 7.30 to 9 o'clock. Airafy.fetwhis hi > made to convey the timbers of tht baud in from the ship's side to the park each evening.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19230117.2.123.1

Bibliographic details

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18300, 17 January 1923, Page 10

Word Count
1,108

AUCKLAND'S WELCOME. New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18300, 17 January 1923, Page 10

AUCKLAND'S WELCOME. New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18300, 17 January 1923, Page 10