OUR MAORI SOLDIERS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15489, 17 January 1916, Page 8

OUR MAORI SOLDIERS.

DOINGS OF CONVALESCENTS,

TRIP TO THE ZOO AND THE

ROYAL STABLES. Miss S. 31. Lee, of the "Waiapu Mao'ri Mission, writes from London, under date November 7th, regarding the doings of the convalescent Maori soldiers, as follows:— Thanks to the kindness of Mr and Mrs Scott, in throwing open their house to the boys, we have been able to establish a home for those on furlough, where.they are very happy and thoroughly well looked after. The Rev. C. A. Fraer, of Tuahiwi, j 3 indefatigable in his efforts to help the boys, and he and I are able to give most of our time to looking arter them both when in hospital and when they come nut. - Last Wednesday a party, including Mr I'raer and myself, went by specia invitation, to the Zoo, where we wen met by Mr Pocock, the superintendent who most kindly gave up his after noon to showing us round. Mrs Pocock also came, and as both liav( an intimate knowledge of the history h&bits and dispositions of all the am mals, it can readily be understood ho\i enthrallingly interesting the visit was The first animals visited were the huge ungainly "hippos," giraffes, "rhinos," zebras, in each of which the boys wen most interested. Then wo passed on t< the elephant, house, full of elephants o. all sizes and.ages. There, the keeper, de lighted to show off his pets, matie thdn perform various tricks, to tht joy of the boys. One patienl beast stood -with his moutli open tfhile they tried to shy biscuits in, the Captain being the only one to get a shot well home. The interest of the visit in the big ,monkey house, where we were invited into the apes' private apartments. There, waiting to greet us, was the> most fascinating chimpanzee, Percy by name. He not only shook hands most cordially with each member of the party, but in the most galjant manner, gently kissed each hand before releasing it. Then, to the whistled accompaniment of the "Keel Row,?' he gave a short Highland Schottische. But the climax was reached when, after taking two puffs of a cigarette presented to him by one of the men, he .took it from his mouth, pulled out some of the tobacco, smelt it, and then, stooping down, rubbed the cigarette out and gravely handed it back to the; man who gave it to him. The keeper apologetically explained that Percy was rather particular about "smokes."; ' It was laughable to see his anxiety lest he 'missed out anyone when the farewell hand-shaking and •kissing took place. It would take too much space .to describe in detail the two baby gorillas, who apparently live with arms entwined, so that the keeper has to lift both together; of Mickie, the, big black orang-outang, the veteran of the Zoo; and of Jackie, who grinned broadly with delight when Mrs Pocock spoke to him. but would, so the kffeper assured us, not hesitate to kill his best friend if he got'the opportunity., By the time the lions and tigers had been visited, it was dark, so we went to the superintendent's house, where we were not only entertained with tea, but had the privilege of listening to many stories of various animals, told by Mrs Pocock in -the most enthralling manner. Our afternoon at the Zoo will long remain in the memory of those privileged to see it under such delightful circumstances.

. Last Saturday, November 6th, armed with a card of admission kindly obtained by Mr Campbell, of the High Commissioner's office, we. that is, fourteen members of the Maori Contingent, and myself, met at Victoria Station 7 and thence to the King'/S stables. We first viewed a'number' of the bay carriage horses (there are only bays and blacks -in the'lloyal stables), upstanding creatures ■ with coats of satin. We were fortunate in seeing a carriage start out, ans the boys were much struck with the action and style of-thq horses. Next we saw the Royal saddle horses, interest centring in the King's charger, a sweet-tempered bay veteran, which willingly submitted to being fondled and patted by most of the party. Then, a door was unlocked, and there stood the Coronation • coach, resplendent with its richly carved, gilded oak frame. It was difficult to get the boys away; they were full of questions as to its weiglft, date, and use. How they did hang round that carriage, .examining every derail. Next w6 saw some of the State carriages, very gorgeous with trappings of gold and scarlet. These are drawn by "teams of black horses. The harness room, where the red morocco harness, heavily embossed with gilded bronze, hangs in a glass case, took the lads' fancy. The weight must bo enormous, the blinkers' alone weighing 171b. This harness "is used on the cream horses, but they are all turned out at Hampton Court."' so we are not likely to s<je them. .They are only used to clraw the Coronation coach. The boys were much struck with the black State horses, and rather coveted some of the bays, of whioh we saw numbers. In one stable we missed some of our party, and on returning found them, round a, groom, absorbed in learning to plait straw! I think the neat straw borders to the stalls took their fancy as much as anything. They all thoroughly enjoyed \ Their afternoon, and I-was very proud of iny party of smart, gentlemanly young soldiers. Our Maori boys are very much alive to their dignity as martial representatives of their race.