French rite in Queens Gardens

The officers and crew of the French war sloop Cassiopee took part in a little ceremony at noon yesterday which could not fail to win the deep appreciation of the people of Dunedin and also of the Dominion.

That was the laying of a floral wreath at the foot of the huge column which is now being erected in the Triangle as a memorial to the Dunedin soldiers who fell in the Great War.  The Mayor (Mr H.L. Tapley MP), accompanied Captain Decoux, in command of the Cassiopee, to the column, and they were followed by Major Bell, officer in command of the No. 11 District, Captain Anderson, of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and Mr S.D. Neill, French Consul in Dunedin. Captain Decoux laid the wreath on the steps and a French sailor sounded the French "First Post". The Union Jack and the Tricolour were entwined in the wreath with a sailor’s hat band bearing the name "Cassiopee". A French bugler played the French "Last Post". The "Flowers of the Forest" was played by four pipers from the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and a concert party under Mr T. Ritchie (accompanied by Messrs Franklin and Shannon on cornets) sang "The Marseillaise", the French sailors and spectators joining in, and Messrs Franklin and Shannon then led the singing of "God Save the King". 

Talks on the train

"Take seats, please," shouted somebody. The three re-entered the smoking carriage and resumed their conversation.

Smugson cut off the end of a cigar, and remarked "I wouldn’t call the hills of Tuapeka tawny. ‘Shaggy’ would be my word. They are covered with manuka bush, parts white with flowers, parts blackened with fires, sort of pepper and salt like an old man’s beard. No offence meant for you, old chap," turning to the old-timer apologetically.

With a tolerant twinkle the latter replied, "You don’t go far enough back on the hills. Plenty of tawny tussock there. I can mind the time when I had to set fire to half-a-dozen tussocks to boil the billy."

"I think the run on the railway from Lawrence to Milton, and vice versa, is as picturesque a bit of scenery as I’ve ever seen from a train.  I shouldn’t be surprised if Lawrence some day produced a national poet," said Sparrowfield.

"Do you think so? Place didn’t seem lively enough to me," broke in Smugson.

"Why, already Lawrence has inspired the music of New Zealand’s National Anthem. J.J. Woods, the composer of the music, lives there. One of the oldest identities, too. That’s one reason why loyal New Zealanders should visit the town, isn't it?" asked Sparrowfield.

"Right, good enough, said Smugson. "Before we left Dunedin I met a chap. He’d had a few drinks and got me in a corner. This is what he said:

Blue, blue, blue is the Molyneux,

Though we’ve seen her yellow with mud.

And the ghosts of the erstwhile dredging crew

Would call the river a dud.

But the golden sands with eager hands

Once more the cradlers will sift

For the Kawarua scheme is not a dream.

’Twill lay bare the auriferous drift.

"Was he an ancient mariner?" asked Sparrowfield.

"No he was quite a young company promoter" replied Smugson.

Then the engine whistled long and loud, and they began to gather up their luggage.

— by A.W. Tyndall

— ODT, 2.2.1926