FRENCH OFFICERS IN LEVIN.

Shannon News, 30 January 1923, Page 3

FRENCH OFFICERS IN LEVIN.

VISITORS, SPEND INTERESTING DAY. (From Levin. Chronicle). .:.,.-A party of five French officers from the battle-cruiser Jules Michelet visited Levin yesterday. This is the first time during recent years that a representative of the naval power of our great ally lias .touched these shores. The Jules Michelet, however, does not come solely to. display the naval power of France, but is seeking to extend the arts of peace and is carrying the commercial flag of her country to the far distant outposts of the globe. 'That is the object of her visit to New Zealand, and in addition to her own complement of officers and men has a commercial mission , aboard with a trade exhibition, of French manufactures, whiclf. a,re being displayed to Dominion- business men with the object stated. As befitted presence of such distinguished visitors, a full, and complete programme of entertainment had been arranged by the Government. This included a visit to Levin, and yesterday five officers arrived as stated by- the Napier express.

: . AT THE CD. FARM

The party, which consisted of Commandant Hus, Commander Ferr.et, Lieut. D'Anseleme,'" Lieut. Halle and Engineer Roussel, was met on arrival by the Mayor (Mr D. W. Matheson), Mr W.. J. McCulloch (manager CD. Farm), Mr J. Linklater, M.P., Councillors Mortensen, Parker and Hob-son.

Mr F. J. Ramsay (town clerk), Mr J. W. Rimmer (Chamber of Commerce), Mr S. A. Broadbelt (Horowhenua

County Council), Mr A. McLeavey (Horowhenua A. and P.. Association), Dr. Gow and Mr G. D. Hamilton (R.S.A.), and Mr R. J. Foss (headmaster Levin D.H. School). The visitors were accompanied by Mr W. H. Field, M.P., and Mr -Reid, M.R.C.V.S., of the Agricultural Department, who was the official interpreter to the party. The local representatives were introduced by Mr Field, who also introduced Mr and Mrs E. G. de Mey, of Levin. Mr De Mey, who greeted his fellow-coun-trymen in nis native tongue, accompanied the party during the remainder of the day, and. besides finding much in common upon which to converse with the visitors, assisted greatly in", interpreting and explaining many matters to the " officers. After the formal reception, 'the whole party

left for the Central Development Farm, where, after being entertainer! with light refreshments by Mr and Mrs McCulloch,' left to : inspect the pedigree cattle, the milking shed '.and other points of interest. The operation of tile milking plant was explained, and then a move- was made to where the Friesian and Red • Poll herds were located. The visitors were greatly interested in the cattle, especially the black and whites, and remarked that they had a similar breed in Brittany, whilst in the neighbouring province of Normandy the popular breed was the red and white. These .northern provinces were the most important j

as regards dairying in France, and in the most progressive parts the milking machines were used also. Mr McCulloch remarked to Commandant Hus that the black and. whites here gave as nnich as 10 gallons of milk per day, but the visitor astonished the New Zealanders by saying tnat the French cows'gave 25 gallons a day. The Commandant, however, was thoughtful lor a moment" or two, and then added, "Pardon—not gallons, but litres,''' all joining-in the merriment: that 'followed his confusion of the litre of about a pint and three quarters with the gallon. A circuitous return through other portions of the Farm

was made, the party then partaking oi an excellent lunch at Farm headquarters. After the party had been "snapped" by the inevitable photographer, Mr McCulloch asked Commandant Hus, to plant a tree-to mark the visit of the naval party. The Commandant readily' complied, and the tree-a New Zealand karaka—was soon installed m permanent position. "I hope thai tree will flourish," said the Commanua'nt to Mr McCulloch, "and that you will have good luck—you and your family and your country of New Zealand." The expert handling of the spade by the Commandant led Mr Mc-

Culloch to suggest that the visitor was capable of taking charge of the Farm. - "And then I become same as you—not so "big," replied the gallant officer as he put his hands on his ample proportions, and completely brought the house down. The Commandant claimed the label on the tree as a souvenir, which he was duly presented with. The'time allotted to the Farm soon came to an end, and after the numerous questions had been replied to and all possible information given, the party left for Levin. "FRANCE WILL NEVER FORGET." Coming through _ the town a halt was made at the pretty garden square in Cambridge Street, and a visit made to the Soldiers' Memorial, which has just been erected. On approaching the memorial the French officers un-

covered, and upon reading the' inscripi uons remarked upon what New Zealand had done, showing they were well acquainted with the record of our troopa in the Great War. "France will never forget what vour gallant soldiers did in the war," said the Commandant to the Mayor as the visitors, left to resume their tour. LEVIN BUTTER FACTORY.

The next port of call was the Levin Dairy Company's factory in Queen Street. Here there was much to interest the oversea visitors. The various processes were explained by Mr Broadbelt, chairman of the company, and Mr Smell ie, the .manager, who showed- how the raw material passed from the vats to the big chums,' ami then finally to the' automatic ma.chme which cuts the butter into neat pieces weighing lib each. "Are your factories anything like this?" an officer was asked." "In Normandy, yes, but not in the South." An interesting quarter of an hour was spent, and then a run was made to the native bush on the Waiopehu reserve in Upper Queen Street. A walk through the shady paths was much enjoyed, the visitors remarking on the beauty and variety of the native growths. The big rata was also an object of admiration. . • »

J THE VISIT APPRECIATED. The visit of the guests had been of the most .informal kind, and formal speech-making was left severely alone. On regaining the road after viewing the reserve, the Mayor said he would like to make a few brief remarks. Addressing the visitors, he said it had been a great privilege and pleasure to ha,ve them there that day. "I cannot allow the opportunity to pass,"' the Mayor continued, "without expressing appreciation of the kind remark made by the Commandant at the SoKlWs' Memorial that France would never forget the sacrifice of this country in the war." .The Mayor added that it had indeed been a pleasure to show the visito.rs round, and regretted that time was so -short that further points of interest could not be visited. He concluded by calling for cheers for the visitors, which were heartily given.

Coniandant Hus returned thanks tor the great kindness shown his party, and said not only had that been experienced here, but their men had similar receptions in all parts of NewZealand they had visited —Auckland, Wellington, Rotorua. They would, always remember their visit to New Zealand with great pleasure—the country where the cows gave ten gallons of milk each (great laughter). "And I shall keep this paper (showing the label off the kanaka tree) and it shall go to France with me.' I thank you once more, gentlemen."

IMPRESSED BY PEOPLE AND COUNTRY.

The time, for the departure of the" visitors was drawing near and the party left for the station where the were to join the Napier' express for the return to Wellington. Before leaving Commandant. Hus remarked to the' Chronicle representative that the- visit to the country had been much enjoyed, and he wished to express how interested they all felt at what they had been through and what had been, shown them. The visit to Ihe Farm and. the beautiful scenery at the .Reserve were much appreciated, and they wished to say a word of the kind reception of Mr and Mrs McCulloch, also of the many kindnesses shown them irf* L%vin. " We' are all much impressed by your people "and your beautiful country," the commandant added, "and only regret "we cannot make a longer stay." The visitors i then.made their adieus and joined the | train. Cheers speeded them on their way 'as they commenced the return journey to Wellington. The visit was a complete success and not only was it enjoyed by the visitors, but was full of interest to the local party' who had the privilege of taking part in it.