A BRILLIANT MILITARY SPECTACLE

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10862, 11 January 1901, Page 5

A BRILLIANT MILITARY SPECTACLE

THE FLOWER OF FOUR ARMIES PARADED.

i A QUARTER OF A MILLION I SPECTATORS. YOUNG AUSTRALIA'S DEMON--1 STRATION. THE BRIGHTEST SCENE OF ALL. (ntO-I o*J__ SPECIAL COBBESPO-TDENT SYDNEY, January 5. The leaves of the Commonwealth Celebration de.-irations have begun to wither, but tho spirits of the people are as fresh as ever, and each new sensation is as keenly enjoyed as ever. The week has been described by a New Zealand visitor as "Deliriously delightful" to the senses and "Bloomingly beautiful" to the eye. The brillianco of the day wis surpassed by the radiance and fairy like splendour of the night. Small wonde-vthai, Mars is signalling. When night fal?«, Sydney simply glistens with radiating festoons of electricity. It is in the brilliance .nd variety and quantity of the tJlumin-ition-that the real effectiveness of the de.oratu.-n of the city ha. been achieved. Visitors, who have seen th« brightest illuminative displays in older and greater cities of the world declare effort has seldom, if ever, been every evening there is a parade' of the population. The streets are thronged for hours and ihe utmost orderliness prevails. This is what has astonished the visitor. He expected that the wildest of scenes with visions of riots, catastrophes, and other horrors would occur. For thi.. excellent order the .pkndi work done by the police in controlling enormous traffic is responsible. Bui apt.it from this there ia no disposition to be rowdy on the part of the people. j'b.y have gathered together to have a great old time; they know how to do it, and are doing it. A MAGNIFICENT MILITARY SPECTACLE. In their 'beauty and imprcssiveness the events of Thursday eclipsed the inaugural pageant of Tuesday. They began with the military review in the morning, followed by the children's demonstration in the afternoon, and illuminations in the evening. For tho second time in tlie world's history, the armies of the Empire were brought together, and this fact in itself made the review an unique one. Not since the Diamond Jubilee have the soldiers of Britain, India, and the colonies stood .ho.iid. r to shoulder. May their meefpg always be as it was to-day—the brilliant plumage of peace—in war the whole of the branches of tli9 Imperial army have not been together. It has been wed said that the review was a great d.mon*-.ration cf the military might of the Empire, and it might also have been said of tlie naval power, too, for were not six hundred odd splendid tars and marines in the parade. As a spectacle it, is claimed to have siirput.-d anything ever seen in the southern hemisphere, and certainly there has neve/ bun a more picturesque gathering of ludian soldiers iv their trappings of w?.r, but there has been the variety of soldiers aud uniforms. To the New Zealanders it was a revelation, and they have done nothing since but speak in raptures of it.

I asked Mr Carroll, the Native Minister, to-day. what he thought of it. "I can't tell you." he said, "but it ia written here on the tablets of mv mind." Another visitor, an officer in the Wellington corp.. sat on the grass and sighed a« the stately linea of troops went by and said : —"On dear, oh detr, and we think we make brave shows with our men." The New South Welshmen, Victorian, or other Australian has (<ot to make the same admission. Eyen Major-General French was enraptured, and it takes a lot to stir your old war horse. As he dismounted after the review he remarked to tx fri.nd, "I don't think we have ever seen anything as fine as that!" And your military veteran generally think* more thou he _ay_i., Old soldiers who looked on were b?side themselves with delight. Yen knew they were there by their enthusiastic interruptions. "Look at that line," cries one just bubbling over with enthusiasm. "Did you notice the distances between 'un." says another. "Good old Guards," yells out a third; and a "Glasca" man in the pavilion of guests wants "tae know if there's unythin-j wrong withe Scotties." Absolutely nothing, is the universal opinion wliich, however, is not expressed. His Excellency, who -hows a physical improvement every time lie ap->e"ars in public, wan mounted and drewed in a general's uniform, shared in general enthusiasm, and a special order is to be sent out conveying his commendation and congratulations on such a fine display. AN ENORMOUS ATTENDANCE. The scene, as a. whole, was a magnificently picturesque one. The height- overlooking the parade ground were thronged with mighty battalion* of tight-

seers. All aorta and conditions there were—a half million of them. On the little plain below some 8000 infantry, sailors, and marines, a mass of red. khaki, white, and green uniforms tipped with tlie steel of thousands of bayonets which flashed in the bright sun. This little army lav stretched along the parade ground facing you as you stood at the saluting point. Where is the cavalry-? Over voueler. Y-.ii look away to the tart and over the summit of a little hill, lou catch sight of the brass helmets of Life Guards and their plumes of led and white nnd now and again the sun strikesi on, their cuirasses. In front of them is the Royal Horse Artillery in pride of place— We always go to the ri.ht, sir/ l'hey haye got two sums with them, khaki-coloured, 10----pomtders-spitter-s of fire and dea.h-bat you can't see them, the horses hide the 'view. Now and aa .in on the .outhern side you catch a glimpse of red and white pen-i-ante a*id you know that there is a Jrtl body of Ne-v South Wales Lancer* 'there the Governor expeditious!;, go. through the inspection and rode up to the salutinz base. The advance sounded and the splendid little army, 9600 horse, foot, and artillery, began its march to the music-ox three mounted bands, the Lancers,.Australian Horse and tire Mounted Rifles. On they swept—the Artillery first, with their suns clattering after them, then the Guards. Captain Wilson who foutrht at Mafeking leading them, then the King's Dragoons— and v.*__at a spkndidl show they in their scarlet tunics, white belts, and brass helmets. Applause and cheers ruu along the line and it swells as the gay 21st Lanc»rs go by. and their admirers don't forget to tell the populace that "these men were in the charge at Omdurman." The Wiltshire Yeomanry—a magnificent body of troopers, whom someone remarks ore all wealthy men—were tlie last of the British cavalry. The animation of the scene by this time can scarcely be represented. Two thousand horsemen richly arrayed, marching pa.-*t in columns, beautifully kept, and the infantry in dense masses moving up into position on the for side. It has a stirring effect on the enormous crowd and cheers from over one hundred thousand people fill the air.

Colonel Peyton, who commands the Inelian Con-tin gent, has got "soldier" written large all over him, saluted in such splendid style that there was a cry of " Grandly done," from the pavilion. His Contingent of gorgeously dressed Sikhs, Ghookha.**, Raqputs. Pathans, and Dogras follow him. The brilliance of their uniforms, their curved sworda flashing in the glorious sunlight, their ..tateliness stirs up the emotions and from the arena and the picturesque slopes thera rises such a tremendous round of applause and a roar of -cheering. Following the Indian Cavalry came the New South Wales Lancera, 600 strong, their pennants like a swarm of red and white butterflies delighting the eye. You are struck at once with the fine appearanoe of the horses ar.d tiro plivsique of the men. A splendid regiment," and an English Cavalry man said: " That sight would delight the Cavalry master at Alders-hot," The Lancers do not re present the New South Wales mounted troops entirely—net by any means. The dark green uniforms and black plums, of th* Ati-tralia*-. Horse and the two khakis of the Mounted: Rifles, who look very much like New Zeakndl.r3, are the next to catch •the eye. Equal in physique and horsemanship to the Lancers, they were splendidiy wtkomed by the public, the Mounted Rifles especially. The English Field Artillery, the Engineers with their balloon and ponteon gear, which remands you that that was the way we got aoross the Modder, and the R-giment of Australian Artillery, " physically as good a., any of them" and splendid marchers, next fill" the field. This completes the mounted brigade and artillery. Jack takes a lot of boating and you find out what favourites these tars are as the hundreds of rng_cod faced sailors, in beautiful lines and their marching made more effective than that of many of the soldiers by the appearance of their white " ducks," pa-_s the stand in red coats end white trousers. The marines stepped out in rare style, and what a cheer they get, and doesn't it delight one old g-entleman who loudly proclaims tbat they are one of the most abused and be.*.t branches of the service. The people hava I__i their ey-a ou tho*- *__g busbies of the Guards for some time, and there is great -exeftement all over the field as their band of the Highland Light Infantry is seen to cross over and place itself in front of the regiment of English Foot Guards. They are some dis-tanc? off yet. but the sight of tbe men on the move has had its effect. A bang of the drum and the music, whioh al ways appeals to the patriotic feelings, is heard—"tha British Grenadiers." Along they come, in grand style, four solid. Unbroken linos— Grenadiers in front, Colclstr?_.ms next, then 'Scots, and finally Iri=h, and the applause and cheering is tr.mendous. There is no imagination wanted here. There you are, a British regimental bnntl blazinsr away at the "British Grenadier-," and the real Guards are marching to it. And wh\t kind of marching is it? Perfect! What takes your eye is th<? neat swing of the arm, and the distance between each man is so well kept. "Eves right." calls out Viscount Cole, as the Guards •swinsr past the Governor, and you are quite satisfied that tho Colonial soldier can't pa--e it with the English Tommy. THE .SPLENDID CONTINGENT OF REGIMENTS OF LINE. The sleepy " Queen.," who are very wide awake to-day, pipe-clayed and poli.she ui> to the " all r;ght _ta._e," as one of the*n n-.terwards put it; " tbo brave old Buffs," who carry the names of nearly every great British victory on their colours, the Duke of Cornwall's, and the Somerset Light Infantry - the Fusiliers follow, and as they go by your mind goes back to that famous charge nt Albuera. which military historians tell you has never been equalled. "Tho Nanny Goat." (the Royal Irish), and the -Royal Fusiliers formed the Fusiliers' Brigad*. in that fierce fij-ht. "The Fi-htin-j Fifth" ami tho "Old Fogs" (Royal & Irish), TT i-t th< . Fl,s --* ie *-s' contingent. 4. •skirl The echo cf a cheer and th- H'rhJanders are on the move. Th- Black Watch fin* the Camerons on their heels, then the Seaforths and the red-coated, plaidtrousered, queer looking shakhoed Scottish v , <Car_.eroni.ins). The breach is filled IT t rr e Br ?s ade VoI ----teers and Militia, the Middlesex Regiment-"one of the oldest and finest in the world," says an onlookiuu Londoner—file past.

SOLDIERS OF THE SOUTHERN CROSS Enter the Federal Brigade—the 600 Victorians first, heralded by a splendid band. I liev look well and march well. But wha* * falling off After the precision of the Br_r._l.e--s. -still you cant help admiring the nhysical appearance of the men. Now what are you going to make of that? \ hue of warriors from the war 20 by. Some of them march wretchedly and are not to be compared with the others. Moral—Your fig-tins soldier is not necessarily a mw'i-r 1 ps. but says your old veteran", if he can't march well it shows the training is -faulty an J there is a want of disciplined man who does the fighting. He admit** that ratteri.-.! is there, but- it is disc-plin. that is* want-id. There is a noise as the Tasnianian. pa-s '* What's matter? There's Cameron" "Who*s Cameron?" Wi***- when his cartridges were tone he fought the Boers wilh his fast. "Oh. well, bravo Cam_*rcn!" •'Who's that, perky little customer leadin*** those wiry looking men?" "That's Hughes and the New Zealanders." " Well, they are good men. any way. and there is no faulty marching with tlis MaoriJaaders." The Southland Scottish team of musicians, which is the pilot fish for the New Zealand sharks, have piped themselves into Sydney's affections. Wherever they go they are cheered. Some say it is the swagger of one. -.facphers-n, who"heads the band": but certain it is they are heroes. Another fine specimen of the rough arid tumble kind of soldier who has share in South Africa is tho Queenslander. and the detachment from the northern colony was solendidlv re-

ceiveu. The- reception given to thi "New Zealanders or" the Federal Contingent, who look so .mart and sit their horses well, was tren.endou.-iy hearty, and made their countrymen, looking on." justifiably proud. Another evidence of ths- popularity of the Maoris—they were given a cheer all to themselves. It is not alone with the civilians that the New Zealanders stand so well. Many of the officers here, Imperial and Colonial, speak in hi«rhe_t terms of them. The colony has be-en well and thoroughly represented. Swarms of New South Wales soldiers, in red, khaki, and gresn. marched past, the honour-, going* with the 400 Scottish Rude., who looked will

ami marohed -well. Tha mounted men trotted past the saluting point, the Imperials took things coolly, and went by in tine iinc-s generally speaking, .md so, too, did some of iLe colonials: but tha latter were too frisky and too full of dash—* gallop past would have suited them batter. The i Indian Contingent easily carried off the |ulm for steadiness, the swarthy .Sikhs and Lihookhas passing the point at a general trot, in three s>plendirl lines. The whole Brigade wheeled up in line along the parade cronnd and at the command of Colonel Wyndham, whose "Advance" , sent a thrill through you He could not have put more power and fire into it if he had -been in battle, the horsemen, the cream of four armies, moved forward within a few yards of the Governor-General. Came another metallic roar from the Colonel. "Halt." «nd then another. "Salute." The bands played the National Anthem, the people cheered, moved to a. great pitch of excitement by the brilliant: and animated scene, and the' great review ended. THE CHILDREN'S CARNIVAL. A scramble' for the tram, lunch if you mc lucky, and then io the Cricket Ground, where the children's carnival is being held. It was worth seeing oven if you had to walk all the way and had to go luncheonlss«. Imagine cue cf the finest cricket grounds in~tha world, surrounded by a circle of stands, fill them chock full of people, pines over •. tn thousand children, from the toddling little mite which threatens to toppie over every minute, up to the well set up lass of fifteen, and the sturdy cadet of the same age, array them in all the colour* of the rainbow, and you may possibly see the human kaliedoscope presented to the 40,000^spectators, rhese thousands of chattering, joyful, irresponsible litile people fill in the afternoon ivith a performance of well-executed evolutions. One moment hundreds of bright little boys would be wriggling through the intricacies of mysterious mazes; the next, a thousand girls, attired in every conceivable suitable dress, of the hues of the rainbow, were stepping it merrily in the may-pole; then several thousand girls were showing bow wonderfully well they had been organised by the precision of the clicks of their ilumbells. In a compact mass of colour the scene has never been equalled in Australia, and it is difficult to imagine it being excelled anywhere. The ladies' stand was radiant with colour of the beautiful summer costumes, and the rich hues of the flowers and ribbons of their hats. It was a glorious day for the seasoned Australians, and the ladies looked their best. Add to this the colour ;'iid animation of the thousands of romping Hi tie chatterers, now in streaks of red, white, and blue, then in masses of green and yellow, then all jumbled together, and the [iazzling effect may be realised. It was such a lively scene. There were no pauses between regiments, no waiting for baud to rouse people into action again, no gaps in the procession—just one ceaseless, rolling wave of colour, and a never ending hum. The vast audience seemed to be talking of delightful pictures all tlia time, and as for legions of bright, happy little children in the ting, their tongues seemed to have been nn wound for all time. Look where you would there were children—some plain, some fat, some pretty, some thin, some long—but just the lively little pieces of humanity we reverently and lovingly refer to as "kids." But what have these little people to say? A dream is over—sosssthing they can pleasurably refer to till the end of their lives. It is unnecessary to go into the details of the display beyond mentioning that the march of 700 girls, each armed with twp Union Jacks, the tableau arranged in th.S- form of the Southern Cross, and the rriaypole dance (there were forty poles), were the principal features. The dresses were of fehe choicest description, and each of the two ?core maypole teams were differently attired in dresses and hats, and bonnets, of every hue. The Governor-General was so delighted with the flag march, that at his special reouest it was repeated. Most delightful and amusing of all, however, was the nrmy of 400 little mitc-s, rigged out as poldiers. sailors, cavaliers, gipsies, monarchs and policemen, who trudged aw«y bravclv through some intricate exercises. * The robust little cadets, who carry on their banner the words, "To.ibe ussd Inter on," made a hue display, marching and drillir.z in exrollout "style. -AJarga mn.iW of New Zealand ers were present, and. of course, enraptured. I would not hnvo missed it for a*l the Commonwealth Celebrations and military reviews in the world. HAP.BOUB FIREWORKS 4ND ITJTJ MINATIONS. Last evening one of the most magnificent harbour firework displays ever seen south of the line took place in Sydney Harbour. The co:oured lights, rockets, and shells from pompoms, showers of coloured stare wer» worked on board tie warships, and special rtcamsrs in Farm Cove, and'the effect was 7o briiiinnt as to be seen all around Sydney anil suburbs. Hundreds of thousands of people witnessed the display from the Domum heights, the Palace Gardens and steamcra in tho harbour. The leading feature in tha steamer arrangements for the public was the placing of the Union Steam Ship Company's liner, Mokoia, at tie disposal of some 30GO guests. The steamer looked a picture, b?ing a blaze of electric decoration iind illumination from truck to wuteriine. Bouquets of flowers were distributed anions the past-angers, who were also lavishly en° tertained with the best of everything in th 9 refreshment and eatable lines." During rho fireworks Mr Seddon called the New Zealand Contingent together, and announced that those on board had desired to give through him a "welcome to the native race." Mr James Carroll (Native Minister). Tamaliau Mahupuka. Ratana. Ngatauia-, and Nirsalia Tamaki were also present. Mr Seddon, in a characteristic speech, welcomed the naLives, and tho cries of "flaeremai, hawemai. haeremai' being taken up on board left little doubt about the opinion of the Maoris as far as New South Waks was concerned. Mr 7. Stevens, M.H.R., interpreted the speech. which Mr Carroll and the native chiefs responded; the former being particularly liuppv in his allusions to the magnificent hospitality of Sydney's ps-ople towards !,hera. Mr Seddon occupied the chair at a large gathering in the saloon, and proposed t'he toast of "The Union Company.' He paid i high compliment to the New South Wales Giovernme-nt. for tho manner in which they had carried out tie illuminations and display on the harbour, and also to the Union end the local manager (Mr F. W. Tucksuu) for the splendid hospitality and fins t-iaw afford? , .' to many persons on' board of >r:e of thi best features in onnsection widi the Commonwealth rejoicings. He was oroud. indeed, to be able to s'y~ that the L'nion Company had had its origin in New Zsaland. (Clieers.) Mr B. W."W:s* (At-torney-General «f New South Wales), in responding on behalf of the Government, expressed the hope that New Zealand would ret eoxio into Federation. He would go rurther, and hope that the whole Pacific, -ight up to the United States coast, would eventually be included in the Federation, rhat could only be done, he thought, by ;he hearty co-operation of New Zealand. Sir F. W. Jackson (local manager of the Jnion Company) gracsfully responded on b?kUi of the Union Company. A number of ia.k-18 were danced on board during the reurn trip, the landing being signified by learty cheers for Captain Splnks and the jfficerst of the Mokoia, the Premier of New Zealand and Mrs Seddon and the Maori