THEIR STAY IN WELLINGTON

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 112, 7 November 1912, Page 3

THEIR STAY IN WELLINGTON

Yesterday's general dampness made the proposed parade of the New Zealand and Canadian Cadpts at Newtown Park impossible, and instead the function was held in the large Town Hall. Various members of the Zealand Staff were present, and the whole of thr gallery was filled with interested and extremely enthusiastic spectators. The New Zealand contingent, just returned froni Canada, gave exhibitions of Swedish drill and rifle exercises that, according to one o{ the Imperial officers preseut, " could not be bettered in the British Army." The physical drill especially was very fine, and they did the most difficult, movements with ease and grace The feature of the afternoon, however, was the trooping of the colours by the Canadians. Although they were hampered by lack of room they 'went through all the ceremonial steps and movements with machine-like precision. Their display was the more remarkable because this was the first occasion that it had been executed since leaving Perth. The visitors trumpet and drum band gave several selections, and was enthusiastically recalled. His Excellency Lord Islington and Lady Islington entertained the Cadets during the afternoon at Government House. On arrival the lads formed up in front of the main portico, and Their Excellencies and a little group of officers, their brilliant uniforms in keen contrast to the severe monotone of the khaki wovn by the visitors, stood in front. His Ex ceilencv made a short speech of welcome, and then came the marching and the. music— music played with such abandon and precision that the band seemed more like somo great mechanical toy than Bep\i'ate entities. The tattoo made by the drumsticks, and the swing ami curve of the strong young arms, tho backward throw of the shoulders added to the really fine harmony, made up such a picturo that those who «aw it will long remember. His Excellency watched them from the lawn. After the more formal reception, the Cadets wero taken into tho ballroom, .where, on long tables decorated with fine crimson peonies, tea was served. The boys are frank, keen, and enthusiastic. They had just received their h<sme letters, which were full of the visit to Vancouver of the Duke of Connatight and pretty Princess Patricia— whose name was shortened to Pat, so one tall lad told me, by tha newsboys in New York, who were in too great a hurry to/ use the longer form. Thu Cadets will "get back to theif homes just before Christmas, but before that they have still mu6h to see, and to. Rotorua they are looking forward with keen anticipation. After their farewells the corps formed up again and, once more, the bugles and the drums made their inspiriting music, and the supple arms swung up the drumsticks with extraordinary vigour and marvfillous rhythm. It was raining, but the cray music cast defiance at the mist and gloom. Apropos of this same band, which has delighted all who have heard it, it is amusing to hear that the lads give quaint names to the selections. Yesterday, at Government House, they played "Westminster" and "Humpty ,, MM Pty/'P ty /' and some of-tKe pieces are called after the various kinds of chewing gum. But whatever be the titles, the music itself is intensely inspiriting, and played with all the hearts and muscles of the Cadets. Miss Cotton, the Minister for Defence and Mrs. Allen, Mr. Beddoe (the Canadian Commissioner), and several of the 'officers' wives were among the interested spectators. In the evening the visitors were entertained at the'Y.M.C.A. Captain Frandi was,,in the Chair, and Colonels Heard, Knox, and R. J. Collins were also present. Speeches on Imperial matters were delivered by some of those present.