COLONIAL TROOPS AT HOME

Hastings Standard, Issue 365, 6 July 1897, Page 3

COLONIAL TROOPS AT HOME

+ THE DUIvE OF CONNAUGHT'S OPINION. A FINE BODY OF MEN. OFFICERS AND MEN PRESENTED TO THE QUEEN. TARANAIvI AMONG THE NUMBER. (Per Press Association.—Copyright.) London, July 5. The medals presented to the colonial troops by the Prince of Wales, consisted of silver medals for the officers and bronze for the men. Several Victorian, New South Wales, and South Australian unattached officers also received medals. The Dukes and Duchesses of Saxe-Coburg, York, Connaught, and Cambridge, and Lord Wolseley were present at the ceremony. Lord Roberts commanded the colonials" and as each detachment approached the Prince of Wales the officer commanding called out the names. In the course of a speech at the Colonial Institute dinner the Duke of Connaught said he was pleased to have command of the colonial forces, and if all the colonial troops were of the same standard the colonies had reason to be proud of them. He was certain the colonial troops would return home feeling at one with the British army, all ranks of which had been proud to welcome them. A number of officers and men from the different colonial contingents presented to the Queen included Lieut.Colonel Pitt, Taranaki, Rangi, Lieut. Pringle, Sergeant Slinn, and Private Te Ptini. At the Trinity House banquet Lord Roberts said the presence of the colonial contingents must have convinced everybody of the stability of the Empire. Lord" Salisbury said the Jubilee year would be memorable for laying a deep broad foundation of Imperial policy for future Premiers.