TOURVILLE WELCOME

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 729, 31 July 1929, Page 18

TOURVILLE WELCOME

ENTERTAINMENT OF CREW ROUND OF FUNCTIONS The hospitality of Auckland City is being freely extended to the officers and crew of the French cruiser Tourviile. Apart from the functions being arranged in their honour, many private citizens are also throwing open their hemes to officers and men of the vessel. Y"ESTERDAY afternoon shore leave was granted and many of the crew availed themselves of the privilege to roam around the city, A canteen, writing and reading-room, and a dance floor has been provided for them in one of the Harbour Board sheds by the Auckland branch of the Navy League in conjunction with the City Council, and this was well patronised during the evening. The men are provided free of charge with coffee, biscuits and cakes, and dances will be given while the vessel Is in port. Later it is hoped to show motion pictures of New Zealand scenery. Today a party of 10 officers left for Waitomo Caves and will return tomorrow. This evening the French Consul, M. Paul Serre, will entertain the officers and prominent citizens to dinner at the Grand Hotel. Tomorrow a luncheon for the officers will be given at the Northern Club, and the petty officers will be entertained at lunch at the Y.M.C.A. During the day the men will be taken for motor trips around the City, and in the evening the officers will be entertained at dinner on H.M.S. Diomede. TRIPS AND DANCES On Friday Captain Abrial and 12 officers will leave for Rotorua, returning on Sunday. Two hundred sailors from the Tourviile have been invited to attend a dance on the Diomede on Friday night, and for Saturday invitations have been issued for the football matches at Blandford Park. A party of sailors will also be entertained at lunch on the Tourviile. Motor trips have been arranged for the officers and men on Sunday, and on Monday the officers will be the guests of the Rotary Club at luncheon. In the evening a dance will be held by the French Club at the Click Clack Cabaret. On Tuesday there will be a reception on the Tourviile, with another dance in the City in the evening. The cruiser will be open to the public on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 1.30 p.m. until 4.30 p.m. The desire has been expressed that people wishing to inspect the warship will do so on Friday and Saturday as much as possible, to avoid crowding on Sunday. Only about 200 to 300 people will be admitted to the cruiser at one time, and if any congestion occurs the vessel will immediately bo closed. The Tourviile will leave for Wellington on Wednesday next.