VISITING WARSHIPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19265, 2 March 1926, Page 12

VISITING WARSHIPS.

CASSIOPEE LEAVES TO-NIGHT. CAPTAIN'S APPRECIATION. OUR FRIENDSHIP FOR FRANCE. IWATE DEPARTING TO-MORROW After a stay of six weeks in New Zealand, a fortnight of which has been spent at Auckland, the French sloop Cassiopeo will leave for Noumea at six o'clock this evening. "Before wo leave New Zealand waters I want to thank the Government and peoplo for the warm welcome they have extended us in every city," said the commander, Captain J. Decoux, yesterday. "We will all carry away pleasant memories of our stay. Although I had heard much about your country this was my first visit, and I was very pleased to ■find so many peoplo who knew so much about our own France. I think the greatest reason for this is that many of your soldiers went to France during the war, when the French and New Zealanders came to know and appreciate one another. *

"We owe a deep debt of gratitude to the New Zealand ■ Government, which has given us every facility to visit various parts of the country, while we also have to thank the various Mayors and harbour boards in the cities we have visited. Last, but not least, to the citizens we extend out appreciation of their welcome and many acts of kindness. "It will bo some years before the Cassiopee is removed from the South SeaSj but I will bo relieved at the beginning of next year. It is my great hope to come back to New Zealand before 1 return homo, but I know my successor will pay a visit. He will, lam sure, receive a similar welcome to that given us. Wo are really ambassadors of France in these waters and our friendship helps to bind our nations together." Captain Decoux expressed his appreciation of the way tho newspapers throughout the country had been willing to voice his sentiments of goodwill. The modern press, he stated, was recognised as a power in Now Zealand no less than on tho Continent, and the newspapers had done a great deal to%vard making for that feeling of friendship which all desired.

The officers of tho Cassiopee will be guests at the at homo to be given on board the Iwate this afternoon. Admission to tho Japanese vessel will bo by invitation. A round of entertainment has been arranged by the officers, who will provide their guests with a procession of historical and legendary characters represented by fancy dress. There will also be displays of dancing, wrest ling and fencing and the ship's band will render both Japanese and Western music.

The commander, Captain Turiichi Yedahara, will call upon the Governor-Gen-eral, Sir Charles Fergusson, at Government House at 10 o'clock this morning, and will be entertained to dinner in. the evening with a party of officers. The Port Auckland Band will play on board the warship to-night and will alternate with the ahip's band. The public will not be permitted on board, although they will be allowed on the wharf.'

The Iwate leaves for Suva to-morrow and later proceeds to the Japanese mandated territories in the North Pacific. She reaches Takosuka on April 6.

AUSTRALIAN CRUISERS. REACH WELLINGTON TO-DAY. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Monday. 'The Australian cruisers Adelaide, Delhi and Sydney are expected to arrivo at Wellington at 7 a.m. to-morrow from the South. The Adelaide and Delhi are coming from Lyttelton. and the Sydney, which is the flagship, from Dunediii. Reports show that the officers and men have spent a very enjoyable time at the Southern ports and speak very highly of the entertainment provided for them. A programme has been drawn up for the entertainment of the officers and sailors during their stay in Wellington: The purpose of the visit of the squadron to New Zealand waters is to carry out exercises and manoeuvres with the ships of the New Zealand unit in the Hauraki Gulf. Yearly joint manoeuvres have beeu arranged and they will take pJaco in Australian and New Zealand waters alternately.