VISITORS FROM CHILE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20947, 10 August 1931, Page 10

VISITORS FROM CHILE.

TRAINING SHIP'S CRUISE. THE GENERAL BAQUEDANO. DUE AT AUCKLAND TO-DAY. Tho Chilean training ship General Baquedano, which left Sydney for Auckland on July 31, is expected to arrive in Auckland this afternoon. According to a wireless advice received by the Consul for Chile in Auckland, Mr. E. A. Craig, on Saturday, the vessel will arrive in tho stream at 2 p.m. and will proceed immediately afterwards to her berth. The voyage from Sydney has occupied nearly 11 days, as the vessel is relying mainly on her sails. Tho General Baquedano is under the command of Captain Luis Alvarez, and will make a stay of seven days in this port. Iler future movements are still indefinite, but it is probable that she will pay a visit to Wellington. Tho arrangements for the entertainment of tho visitors are well in hand, but final details cannot bo announced until the programme has been submitted to Captain Alvarez on his arrival. Mr. Craig, who is in charge of the arrangements for the vessel's stay, stated last evening that there would be threo evenings of dancing for the men. Tho Government had granted to tho captain and officers complimentary passes for use on tho railways, and it was likely that a parly from tho ship would visit Rotorua. During their stay in Auckland the men will bo granted tho freo use of the trams and admission to tho Zoological Park has been arranged for them by the City Council. Men in uniform from the ship will be granted free admission to many of the theatres. Numerous privato offers of entertaining the visitors havo also been received by Mr. Craig. Tho General Baquedano will almost certainly be open for public inspection for part of tho time she is hero. The vessel is the old typo of warship with clipper bow, flush decks and one tier of eight guns. Her type has long been obsolete, the modern equivalent being the cruiser. However, she is ideal as a training ship. Built in England 33 years ago with a displacement of 2330 tons, she is full-rigged with three masts and is also fitted with auxiliary engines. Her complement comprises 315 men, including cadets and apprentices.