TROOPS FAREWELLED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23969, 20 May 1941, Page 8

TROOPS FAREWELLED

NEW CALEDONIAN SCENE SOLDIERS OF FREE FRANCE (0.C.) NOUMEA, May 16 A recent event which has occupied all minds and all hearts in New Caledonia is the departure of the first contingent of Caledonian and Tahitian soldiers. With oft-repeatpd "Auld Lang Syncs'' from the hand on the quay, the j transport pulled out to the blowing of I whistles and the waving of handkerj chiefs, in a sudden rain squall which j reminded those present of the depar- | turc in similar conditions on April '23, I 1915, of the first joint contingent which left for the last war. From the embarkation at eighto'clock in the morning, when each soldier as he stepped on board sainted the Caledonian land, until three o'clock in the afternoon, an ever-growing crowd exchanged songs and cheers and farewells. Each soldier received gifts. Governor-General Brunot and Governor Sautot received special applause during the afternoon when they came to say farewell. Two days previously the contingent, followed by the garrison, had a great reception from the crowd lining the I route from the war memorial, where j Governor Sautot presented them with i the colours of the Corps Expeditiouj naire du Pacifique, to the barracks, | where they were entertained to lunch by the Returned Soldiers' Association. The colours were blessed by the Bishop of Noumea, Monsieur Bresson.