FRENCH WARSHIP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22429, 27 May 1936, Page 14

FRENCH WARSHIP

VISIT TO AUCKLAND SALUTES AND CEREMONIAL ROUGH WEATHER EXPERIENCED CALL AT SUNDAY ISLAND For the second time within three years the French war sloop Savorgnan do Brazza arrived at Auckland yesterday morning. As the vessel entered port a 21-gun salute was fired and she was greeted with an answering salute, gun for gun, from the shore battery at Fort Cautley. x Coming abreast of H.M.S. Philomel, the Savorgnan do Brazza fired a further salute of 11 guns to tho broad ponnafit of Commodore the Hon. E. R. Drummond, commanding tho New Zealand division of the Royal Navy. This also was answered gun for gun from the shoro battery at tho naval base and the French ensign was hoisted to tho masthead of H.M.S. Dunedin. At tho samo time the white ensign was run up to tho masthead of the sloop and she then berthed on tho eastern side of Queen's Wharf, a party of sea-man-boys from the Philomel handling the mooring lines. A fairly large crowd of spectators was treated to a smart exhibition 'as the French sailors "dressed ship" iu honour of the Queen's birthday. Shortly afterwards Lieutenant Scott Elliott, cf H.M.S. Leith, as officer of tho guard, paid a call on the sloop. Tho French Consul at Auckland, M. Edouard Joubort, went on board and later, "in company with Commander L. Robert, of the Savorgnan de Brazza, made the customary official calls. Visits were paid to the chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board. Mr C. G. Macindoe, and to Commodore tho Hon. E. R. Drummond. These calls were later returned on board tho sloop. Tho Consular Corps made an official call on Commander Robert and this was returned at the office of the Dean of the Corps,\ the American Consul, Mr. W. F. Boyle. Tho wardroom officers of the New Zealand division later called on the sloop and a number of French officers dined last night cn H.M.S. Dunedin. Wreath Placed on Cenotaph

During the afternoon Commander .Robert, accompanied by two of. his officers and the French Consul, placed a wreath on the Cenotaph. The ceremony was brief but impressive. Commodore the Hon. E. R. Drummond and one of his officers were present while 20 Royal Marines formed the guard. A party of 12 men from the sloop also attended the ceremony. The bright uniforms of the Frenchmen and marines, and tho full dress regalia of the officers set against a perfect background of tho city and harbour cast in the light of the setting sun, was a memorable sceno to tho hundred people gathered about the War Memorial Museum.

Although the Savorgnan de Brazza was here three years ago there is only one rating on board who visited Auckland before. With this exception all the officers and men who manned the sloop in 1933 have been replaced. All on Doard expressed keen interest in the city. "Excellent footballers, charming womenfolk" and wonderful scenery are the characteristics of New Zealand, of which' we have all been told in France," said one of the officers. "Our first impressions when steaming up the gulf under perfect weather conditions this morning, aftor being tossed about in heavy seas for seven days, will be remembered by all." No One Seen at Sunday Island The sloop spent most of last year in the Far East, but left her base at Saigon, in Indo-China, on her present cruise on November 2. Proceeding by way of the Dutch East Indies she cruised down the Great Barrier Reef as far as Townsville and reached Brisbane in December. Considerable time was spent nt Noumea before the vessel sailed for Auckland. Calls were made at the New Hebrides, Fiji, Wallace Islands and Sunday Island, in the Kermadec Group. Unaware that Sunday Island had been reinhabited by two former Auckland residents, Messrs. A. Bacon and R. Robinson, about two years ago, the visit was made in case any castaways wqre there. The ship anchored on the south-west side of tho island for about six hours and tho whistle was blown to attract attention. Nothing was seen of the two men, however, and it is thought probable they were on the other side of the island ami were unable to cross the precipitous interior and reach tho bay before the ship sailed. Sloop Open to Public Heavy seas and strong winds were encountered by the sloop for about a week before she reached the shelter of the coast. Speed had to bo reduced and, although the vessel 4s a fine seaboat, she shipped a good deal of water on deck and this prevented tho crew from having her just as spick and span as was desired before she arrived in port. She is to go into Calliope Dock this morning for cleaning and painting. Further official calls, including those on the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, and the Mayor of Auckland, Mr.' Ernest Davis, will be made this morning. Commander Robert will he the guest of honour at a luncheon today, given by tho Government, and at a dinner to-night given by M. Joubert. The commander and six officers are to leave for Rotorua by motor-car tomorrow morning. The ship is expected to be in dock about two days and she will be open to the public on Saturdav afternoon and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The sloop is to sail for Wollington about June 2.