FRENCH WAR SLOOP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23500, 14 May 1938, Page 10

FRENCH WAR SLOOP

ARRIVAL AT AUCKLAND REFIT AT NAVAL BASE '(Special to Daily Times) AUCKLAND, May 13. To the accompaniment of a gunfire salute from North Head, the French sloop Rigault de Genouilly arrived from Noumea at 9 o’clock this morning. The customary naval courtesies were exchanged as she was passing the Devonport naval base, and a crowd of citizens watched the sloop berth at the western wharf, special interest centring on the sailors’ mascots, a young goat named Jeannette which was captured during land ex ercises in New Caledonia, and a young wallaby named Charlie, which was taken in Brisbane six months ago. The main purpose of the warship's call at Auckland is to dock for refit at the Devonport naval base, since there are no suitable facilties in New Caledonia, and to further the friendships made with New Zealanders by other French naval visitors

After her arrival Captain Plante received and repaid a number of calls from the Auckland authorities. In the afternoon Captain Plante called upon members of the Consular Corps and also made a special visit to the Cenotaph to lay a wreath from France as a mark of respect to the fallen. He dined with the French Consul, M. Pouquet. Tomorrow he will call upon Bishop Liston and will also pay visits to the Convents of the Sacred Heart and the Little Sisters of the Poor. A round of further entertainments and appointments for Captain Plante and his officers during the ship’s stay in port include visits next week to Rotorua and Waitomo as the guests of the Government. On Tuesday Captain Plante will be the guest of their Excellencies, Lord and Lady Galway, at a luncheon at Government House.