FRENCH WAR SLOOP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22722, 7 May 1937, Page 12

FRENCH WAR SLOOP

DEPARTURE THIS MORNING CONTINUATION OF CRUISE 'After a stay of approximately two weeks in Auckland the French sloop Higault de Genouilly will leave this morning for Tongatabu in continuation of her annual cruise of the South Pacific. The sloop, which is on her first visit to New Zealand, arrived at Auckland on April 26 from Noumea, New Caledonia, having previously cruised in the Loyalty Islands and the New Hebrides.

During their visit to Auckland the officers and men have been treated to a continual round of entertainment. Commander Moron and five of his officers paid short visit to Rotorua and Waitomo, ' and in addition there have been several dinners and luncheons both official and unofficial. Various entertainments and outings also have been arranged for petty officers and men and one officer said yesterday that they would be genuinely sorry to leave Auckland.

It was quite a change to visit a city like Auckland, he said, after the comparative quietness of many of the islands visited in the course of the cruise. Asked how he had enjoyed the recent cold spell, the same officer stated that it was a long time since he had found it necessary to wear so much woollen clothing. In the tropics, where the ship did most of its cruising, white duck suits were worn.

No official functions were arranged yesterday, the day being set aside for preparations for the sloop's departure this morning. Fresh meat and vegetables and other ship's stores were loaded, and throughout the afternoon vans bearing the names of various merchants in the city were drawn up alongside the ship at the Western Wharf transferring supplies for the cruise. Supplies of oil fuel were taken on hoard on Wednesday.

After leaving Tongatabu, the Rigault de Genouilly will visit Vavau, Futuna, and Wallis Island. She will be at Apia from May 29 to May 31 and will also call at Pago Pago. Leaving Pago Pago on June .'3, the sloop" will g sail for Papeete, where she is due on June 8. The ship will remain in the vicinity of Papeete for about three months.