FRENCH MISSION.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16416, 9 January 1919, Page 7

FRENCH MISSION.

VISIT TO ASHBURTON AND LONGBEACH, At the invitation of 31 r J. C. N. Grigg, the owner of the well-known Longbeach Estate, the members of the French Mission (except Messrs Mathiou and Bador), together with Sir James Allen, Acting-Prime Minister, Mr George Humphreys, French Consul, and others, motored down to Longboach yesterday, via Ash burton, to spend tho day at Longbeach homestead. Tho fierce nor'-wester which was in evidence nearly all day was a somewhat novel form of weather to the visitors —one of whom remarked that you can grow good winds as well as good stock in Canterbury'—hut all expressed their pleasure at the trip, ana at the hospitality shown them, both at Ashburton and at Longbeach. AT ASHBURTOX. Tho party arrived at Ashburton by motor-car at about 11.45 a.m., and at the invitation of the Mayor (Mr It. Galbraith'i made a short stay, and were accorded' a civic reception at the Band Rotunda, where a largo fathering had assembled. Flags were flown from tho I üblic buildings, the principal business premises, and many private residences, and there wero numerous gaily bedecked motor-cars, flying tho flags of each of the Allied nations, the tricolour predominating. Tho • Mayor and representative citizens met tho party a couple of miles out from Ashburton, and preceded them into the town to tho Band Rotunda, where was assembled one of the most representative gatherings ever seen in the Ashburton district. Ringing cheers were given for General Pau and his comrades, and Sir James Allen also received a hearty cheer. The Mayor, in addressing General Pau, said: Wo thank you and your friends for tho honour you have conferred upon us in paying this visit. The word France will ever be doar to our hearts, for it is there thousands of our bravest and' best lads lie, who fought side hy side with your worthy countrymen in tho struggle of the _ Allies for the preservation of equal liberty and justice for nil. This great war has given tyranny and oppression their death blow, and henceforth it rests with the democratic allied countries to shapo the destinies of the nations of the earth. The Town Clerk then presented tho following address: — To General Pan, head of the French. Mission to New Zealand. Sir, — We, the Mayor and Councillors of the Borough of Ashburton, and Chairman of the Ashburton County Council, with Members, on behalf of all County Kesidents, extend a most hearty and sincere welcome to you as roprecontativo of the French Government. During tho great struggle for the Freedom of Mankind, we all adnlired the noble courage, endurance, and eolf-sacrifico of the French people; and realised it was fitting that it fell to the lot of one of France's great Generals to drive the enemy off French soil, and gain a great and glorious victory, the memory of which will last as long as tho world itself. We sincerely hope that the objects of your visit to the Dominion of New Zealand will bo fully attained, that the bonds of friendship, binding France airi Great Britain, will never be broken, and that, on departing from our shores, you will take with you pleasant and fond recollections of our islands and their people. We have the honour to be, _ your obedient servants—John Cairns, Chairman Ashburton County Council; F. Mainwaring, County Clerk; Eobert Galbraith, Mayor; Alfred McClure, Town Clerk. General Pau thanked the Mayor of Ashburton, tho chairman of the County Council, tho lads who had fought on tho battlefield, and especially the members of the Red Cross Socioty who had helped France in her hour of need. - The General's remarks were enthusiastically receivod. AT LONGBEACH. The party then left for Longbeach, where they were hospitably entertained by Mr Grigg, and tho visit was a mpst enjoyable and instructive one. Aftor luncheon the visitors were taken round the homestead, lawns, and gardens, and orchards by Mr J. Grigg and Mr E. F. J. Grigg. Tho first historical building pointed out was the first school structure erected on the Longbeach Estate, put up by the late Mr John Grigg. From there the party were taken all over tho estate. M. Henri Corbiere, as an expert farmer, was naturally the most interested of all the party. Ho and Dr. Reakes left Cliristchurch .at 7 a.m., before the rest of the party, with tho intention of paying a visit to Mr Leonard White's place at" Rakaia, to look at the stock. M. Corbiere stated that he had seen Cor--1 ricdales elsewhere —outside of New Zealand —but the sheep shown him by Mr Leonard White wero easily the best. "If other breeders of Corriedales can show better sheep than these, then they must j certainly be good. Mr Wood's sheep plcasod me very much; they are largeframed and robust, with an excellent carcase, and their wool i« beautiful." At Longbeach, after lunch, a walk ivas taken round.the home paddocks, where Mr Grigg had some Shorthorn and Holstein cattle brought up, as well as thoroughbred and draught horses. Some crossbred sheep Were also seen. M. Corbiere was much pleased with all he saw, and remarkod that he passed through some excellent country where the crops were very good, though showing signs of a late season. On tho lighter land, of course, the crops wero not so good. "What struck me most," paid M. Corbiere, "was the fact that all kinds and breeds of stock seom to do so well here. In France we have to find out what particular breed suits a district and stick to that, but here you can raiGe all kinds. English Loicestcrs, Downs. Romnevs, Lincolns—all seem to do well, and they are well-grown and quite as large as the Home county sheep, which aro reared in their own particular districts."

VISITS TO LOCAL FIRMS

AIM. Marcel Mathieu and Georges Bader, who did not' accompany the other members of the Mission to Longbeach yesterday, spent a part of the day visiting some of the factories in the city in company with Mr P. Davidson, president of the Chamber of At tho Kaiapoi Woollen Manufacturing Company's Clothing Factory they were met by Mr J. A. Frostick, the chairman of directors. who introduced tho visitors to the heads of tho different departmonte. They were shown the various special activities of the factory, including tho clothing, costume, blouse-making, shirtmaking, and hat and cap making departments, tho visitors expressing same astonishment" at the completeness and up-to-dateness of the methods and equipment. A visit was next paid to Messrs Strange and Co.'s furniture factory, Mr E. H. Wvles, ti>o secretary of the company, and Mr Rich, the factory manager, accompanying tho visitors in their tour of inspection. The visitors showed considerable interest in the manufacture of wire mattressos, and were provided with a sample of tho wire, used.% At Messrs J. Ballantyne and Co.'s establishment, which wiwnext visited, tho members of the Mission were greatly interested in what they saw. Both visitors were very complimentary regarding the high-class rtaturo of the fine premises of these two Christchurch drapery firms, and M. Bader remarked that he was satisfied that there was a very {rood opening for French goods of many kinds here. A visit was also paid to Messrs Ross and Glendining's warehouse.

MAYOR'S GRATIFICATION

The Mayor (3lr H. Holland) yesterday in conversation with Press representatives, expressed satisfaction with the way in wnich citizens responded to his

invitation to attood the civic receptiofl to General Fau.

Mr Holland said that the gathering in the Theatre Royal had a very pleasing effect. It was a gathering of citizens that tho Mayor of any city in the world might be proud of. He was pleased that the newspapers had given pracv tically verbatim reports of General Pau's eloquent speech. What impressed him most about tho speech was when the General refused to take any expressions of cordiality to himself, but always said, "It is not for me, but for mv beloved country." He hoped that Zealanders would emulate that spirit. He was moved by the General's tribute to New Zealand soldiers, which made him feel proud that ho was a Now Zealandor. ARRANGEMENTS FOR TO-DAY AND TO-MORROW. To-day M Corbiere —who is not going to Akaroa—will be tho guest of Sir Get'. Clifford, who will take him out to Stonyhurst, and show him all that can be seen en route, including tho Canterbuiy Frozen Moat Company's works at Belfast. This morning all the mombers of the Mission, except M. Corbiere, will leave for Akaroa. A luncheon will bo tendered to them on arrival by the Mayor and the French residents. In the afternoon a trip round the beauty spots of the harbour will bo mado, and afternoop tea will be partaken of at Mr Etienne Lolievre's, the Red Cross ladies of the district attending to tho wants of tho guests. The Mission will bo the guests of the Mayor and Councillors at dinner in tho evening. • The return journey will be started about 9 a.m. to-morrow. His Excellency the Governor-General will entertain tho Mission at luncheon. It is possible that General Pau and 6omo of his colleagues will attend the Horticultural Society's Show in the evening. To-morrow afternoon M. LeClerq. Motto will probably be taken out to visit the Kaiapoi Woollon Company's Mills at Kaiapoi, as ho is particularly interested in this department of industry. . . On Saturday morning tho Mission leaves Christchurch for Dunedin by tho first express, and on the way down addresses of welcome will be given by the Mayors of Timaru, Oamaru, and possibly' at other places also. THE DUNEDIN" PROGRAMME. (special to "ths press.") DUNEDIN, Jantiary 8. The French Mission, who arrive here on Saturday afternoon, will be tendered a civic reception at the Town Hall. On Sunday they will motor to the Red Cross Convalescent Home at Montocillo, and from there will mako an oxcursion over the Taieri plains. On Monday they will visit the Roslyn Woollen MiUs, and also Port Chalmers, to see the shipping facilities. In the afternoon they will be entertained at luncheon by the City Council, tho Harbour Board, the Chamber of Commerce, the Manufacturers' Association, and tho Expansion League.