FRENCH MISSION.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16414, 7 January 1919, Page 6

FRENCH MISSION.

YISIT TO CANTERBURY.

ARRIVING THIS MORNING

The French Mission, headed by General Pau, and accompanied by Sir James Allen, the Acting-Prime Minister, will arrive in Christ-church this morning by tho ferry steamer from "Wellington. Colonel R. A. Cliafltey, Officer Commanding the Canterbury Military District, will meet General Pau and tho members of the Mission at the Christchurch railway station about S a.m. ARRANGEMENTS FOR TO-DAY. The arrangements for to-day in connexion with the Mission, as far as they are definitely known, are as follows :— 10 a.m.—An official call will be made on his Excellency the Governor-Geno-ral. An ofacial call will be made on the Mayor of Christchurch. Noon.—Civic welcome in the Theatre Royal. 1.15 p.m.—Mayoral luncheon to tho members of the Mission at W arnor s Hotel. The Mission will visit Canterbury Collego at 4.30 p.m. At the civic wclcomo in the Theatre Royal Miss Millicent Joiinings will sing "ihe Marseillaise," the accompaniment being played by M l ®® „ ,7 lantyne. Tho Mayor (Mr H. Holland) expressed the hope last night that the gathering of citizens in tho lheatre Royal will be as large as the gathering which welcomed the Mission 111 Weilington yesterday. Mayors of suburban boroughs and chairmen of local lxxlies will bo accommodated with seats on the platform. Mr Holland also oxpressed the hope that there will bo a liberal display of bunting and especially of tho French tricolour on public and other buildings in tho city. OTHER FIXTURES. To-morrow the members of the Mission will motor to Mr John Grigg's farm at Longbeach, and will return to Christchurch the same evening. On Thursday tho Mission will visit Akaroa, a place of especial interest to the members of the Mission in view of the settlement there of a number of French familios in 1840. At Hill Top a guard of Mounted Rifles from the Akaroa district will meet General Pau and escort him to the town. In Akaroa the members of the Mission will be the guests of Mr Etienno ]e Lievre, and tho residents have made complete arrangements for tho entertainment of the visitors during their stay. The Mission will return to Christchurch on Friday, and on the way from Akaroa will attend the flower show at Tai Tapti.

On Saturday the members of tho Mission will leave by the express for Dunedin.