FESTIVITIES CONTINUE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 730, 1 August 1929, Page 9

FESTIVITIES CONTINUE

AUCKLAND ENTERTAINS TOURVILLE MEN INTEREST IN CRUISER Festivities of all descriptions—balls, luncheons. dinners and motor-car excursions continue apace daily as Auckland extends the hand of friendship to the men of the French cruiser Tourville, representative of Britain's ally in the Great War. The cruiser herself continues to attract the wondering eyes of hundreds of citizens who can find a few spare minutes to file past Central Wharf end get a glimpse of the very latest in cruisers. Even alongside the wharf, the great fighting machine makes a splendid picture for the unaccustomed eye as the brilliance of an August sun, almost heralding spring, glitters on shining guns and turrets. Private visits to the vessel continue all day long. The Archbishop of New Zealand, the Most Rev. A. W. Avorill, 8.D., was noticed on board, among others, this morning. Representatives of the Auckland branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, the Auckland Officers’ Club, the Northern Club, and the chief executive officers of the Navy League, accompanied by their wives, were alpo conducted over the vessel this morning. Six petty officers and a number of men from the Tourville were the guests at a luncheon of the Auckland Optimists’ Club held in the Y.M.C.A. this afternoon. The commander. Captain Abrial, and a hand of officer: attended a luncheon of the Northern Club.

The Auckland Automobile Association placed ten motor-cars at the disposal of the visitors this afternoon, and at 2 p.m. a party was taken on excursions to all the places of interest that Auckland has to offer. From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. today, thn Auckland Club held an “At Home.” which was largely attended by the French officers. DINNER ON DIOMEDE This evening at 7 p.m. there will be a dinner for officers on the New Zealand Division cruiser, H.M.S. Die mede, and later on the same vessel •* ball vn ill be held for 200 officers and men of the Tourville. The Belgian Consul, Mr. A. M. Ferguson, and Mrs. Ferguson, are giving a dinner for Captain Abrial and five officers at 6.45 p.m. this evening. The Legion of Frontiersmen is holding a social this evening also for 2«» petty officers and men. Besides all these official and semiofficial entertainments, hospitality in being freely extended to the men b * numbers of private citizens. Like our own Jack Tars, the French haw not taken long to find a place in the hearts of Aucklanders. ' The Tourville’s two airplanes have been assembled, and it is possible I f bat they will be seen in flight over i the Waitemata, as the aviation officer, j Lieutenant J. M. G. Bellando, is rapidly recovering from the injury he received to his foot at Noumea. Tho Minister of Defence, the Hon. T. M. Wilford, has wired offering the “libI erty of the skies" to the Tourville ( while in New Zealand. The party of officers at Waitomo is ; due to return todaj*, and tomorrow I Captain Abrial and 12 officers will i leave for the thermal regions. The ] visitors will lunch at Hamilton to- ; morrow, will be welcomed at Rotorua ion Saturday evening, and return to Auckland on Sunday. 1 CONSULATE DINNER Last evening a dinner was given »»\- J the French Consul, M. Paul Serre, at j the Grand Hotel. The guests also I included the Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon. i Mr. D. Ardell, or the Internal Affairs ! Department, representing the Governniant; the Belgian Consul. Mr. A. M. Ferguson; the American Consul. Mr. w. Boyle: Captain L. V. Wells, of H.M.S. Diomede; Lieutenant-Colonel J. E. Duigan, representing the officer commanding the Northern MilitnrCommand; Mr. F. W. Reed, of Whingarei. who recently received the French decoration. Officier d’Academic