Fete Nationale

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 716, 16 July 1929, Page 4

Fete Nationale

Auckland French Club Celebrates Important Event SUCCESSFUL SOIREE The French Club held one of the most successful soirees of the season last evening to celebrate the Fete Nationale. The significance of the occasion was indicated by the large attendance of French Club members and visitors, and a programme of high merit was submitted, AI. Paul Serre, Consul for France, being responsible for its arrangement. A very fine address extolling the qualities of the late Alarshal Foeli, as a soldier and a man, was given by AI. Serre, his laudatory remarks meeting with hearty acclamation. He gave further point to his eulogies of the great military genius by reference to the fact that a new French cruiser of 10,000 tons, launched last month, was named Alarechal Foch, and also that the well-known Avenue du Bois de Boulogne was called now Avenue Foch. An eloquent little incident was related by the speaker. At Orleans in 1920 for the Joan of Arc festivities, the Prefect of Loiret Department asked Alarshal Foch where tp put the returned soldiers in the cortege. Foch answered, “At the first place always.” When the great soldier went ta Aletz with the American Legion, after the dinner he passed into a room with the French delegation. Being addressed as “Alonsieur le Alarechal,” he answered, “Call me camarade. There is no marshal here.” An entertaining research into the origin of many legends, by Air. F. J. Thompson, and reminiscences of Alex'andre Dumas, by Air. F. W. Reid, of Whangarei, were items of unusual interest, while harp solos by Aliss Alavis Grevatt, songs by Air. F. A. Campbell and Air. Len Barnes, and clever card tricks by “Kardo” completed the entertainment. During the evening a presentation of cut crystal was made to Air. G. H. Bassant, secretary of the French Club, whose marriage takes place tomorrow. Air. P. S. Ardern, president of the club, voiced the good wishes of all members, and paid a glowing tribute to Air. Bassant’s energies in promoting the success of the Auckland French Club. The singing of the “Alarseillaise” and “God Save the King” terminated the gathering. The hall was artistically' decorated with flags of the nations and flowers by Aliss Elizabeth Hall and AI. Germaine Van Osselaer. A dainty supper was handed around by' the committee. Airs. L. Clews was hostess, wearing a cobalt blue georgette frock appliqued in gold and cerise in modish design. Among those present were:—Al. and Alme. E. G. Pauly, Airs. Bilton. Alme. Foley, Airs. Eliot Davis, Aliss QuayTe, Airs. W\ A. Horne, Alme. Alarechal de ; Nidts and her daughter, Aliss Van Osselaer, Aliss Hall, Airs. Costello, Airs. J. J. Sullivan, Aliss Le Houx, Airs. Sparkes, Aliss Jennings. Airs. F. J. Thompson, Airs. F. N. Reid and Air. Francis.