GENERAL SIR C. BURNETT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1129, 17 May 1911, Page 4

GENERAL SIR C. BURNETT.

DISTINGUISHED VISITOR TO NEW ZEALAND. General Sir Charles Burnett, K.C.B< K.C.V.0., accompanied by Lady Burnett is nt present on a visit to New Zealand. The General arrived at Auckland by the Victoria from Sydney, and is travelling down the coast to Dunedin in the same vessel to see his brother in Dunedin. Born'in Sydney OS years ago, Sir Charles Burnett has had an adventurous career. Ho had a year in Ashnnti, and came back with the medals and clasps. Ho also took part in the memorable defence of Kaudnhar, and received the Afghan medal and clasps, and was also present, at the bombardment of Alexandria when the Condor, under Lord diaries Beresford, made her valiant attack. His service in India commenced early, and it was'when he first arrived at Poona, in 1875, with the East Yorkshire Regiment, that ho found the plague at its height. By it he lost his youngest daughter, Mav. His practical common sense, says nn'Australian writer, did morq than anything else to stay its ravages. Ha gathered the principal inhabitants round him, formed them into volunteer corps, and carried out a schemo of inoculation which did very much to stay the disease, lie also encouraged all manly sports, and did wonders .for racing in Poona, and for freemasonry as well.Not onlv is Sir Charles a good soldier, but as a good friend to good soldiers ho takes first rank. He brought about soma "rcat reforms in the matter of British soldiers' messing. Ho succeeded in recrcanising ihe «ehcol of army cookery at •Vl'deHiof, and gave lectures to show that the whole cooking of the army might b« more economically conducted with advantage. He was always for feeding Tommy Atkins well, as he was a thorough believer in tho motto that "An army fights on its bellv." Tho General has p.-;n as much active service as,almost any man m the British Armv; and before he retired was in charge of tho Western command of Great Britain.