THE IMPERIAL TROOPS

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12425, 14 February 1901, Page 5

THE IMPERIAL TROOPS

AN ENTERTAINMENT TO THE’ OFFICERSSPEECHES BY THE PREMIER ANSt - COLONEL WYNDHAM. A TRIBUTE TO THU MAORIS. [Per Press Association.} ■ - WELLINGTON, FcS. 13. ’ At the Ain-nw to the Imperial officers, Premier presided-, and, in proposing th*t “Combined Forces; of the Empire,”; that the time was ripe for th© oolooy Wp ask the* Imperial authorities to.^ the Australasian Squadron. His adnsini*tration had* considered the question, an4E, after dis«ussiitg th© matter with the statefrj men of Australia a conclusion had bwK * arrived at that representations must- b©j , made in that direction; , _ ■ .* Colonel Wyndham, replying, 'h.©aa’fe#J 5 ; thanked th© New Zealanders for these* hearty reception, and paid a high tribute* to th© Maoris, whom h© said had - heeifc gallant and honourable enemies, bat wens' flow good friends. ■ Th© troop® will leave for Napier thkl afternoon. ENTERTAINMENT AT WELLINGTON* EULOGY Of”tHE BRITISH , OFFICERS. ; [From Our Coebe spondent. 1 - ■ "Wellington, F&b. ix .= The Ministerial dinner to the officers, ©I the visiting contingent, at the Empiiri Hotel, last night, was a great success. Th© scene, with the various uniforms blaring in’ -. all directions, was very fine. The Premier, proposing the visitors, made some emphatic references to the uniform courtesy and kindness with which the Colonel commanding had accepted every suggestion made to him, and had acknowledged every courtesy offered to Mm and Ms men. Passing to other things, Mr Seddon treated them with his usual thoroughness. .“We are the most military colony of the Empire,” he said, adding quickly that for that very reason the standing army about which sa many thoughtless people are just now talking such nonsense, was .further off 1 than : ever. The intelligence and patriotic zeal oH the colonial population gave us a big encugit force for all possible requirements and in th© best possible way. Before ending, he an*' nounced that an attempt is to be made td have the navy in these waters strengthened', and filially he did not forget to eulogise the British officer, “ who to-day is, as he hasbeen through all.fhe ages of fame, ready td lead bis men in th© hour of danger, and knows how to die at their head,” . It was at sentiment that evoked frantic applause. The Maori hakaa have played an unexpected part* in the inland excursion of thi troop®. All the men were immensely take#, with these graceful ceremonial attentions ofc a fine race. As Colonel Wyndham said i* his reply to the toast at- the banquet, thd British soldier respected the Maori as * brave and honourable enemy, and does sd still as a gallant friend. The troops*, thus* impelled, are taking lessons, in the firm intention of adding the “haki” and a “ wairata” or two to their accomplishments before they get Home.- On their eide, the Maoris were .greatly struck with the demonstrations, of the troops in the bayonet exercise, th« • sword exercise, the lance drill and physical drill. These struck the dominant trait of th© Maori character, which is a gift of rhythm and time in movement*. Seeing these per A feet exhibitions, the Maoris everywhere shouted, “ These people belong to us; they - are Maori people.” It was an unexpected, development of Imperialism'. Colonel Wyndham has a special good word for those corps who cheerfully dismounted and provided his men with “a very fine, sen* viceable lot of horses.” At the dinner last night, Colonel Wytfd-* ham created some amusement by declaring that the'time was short, and the list of •hints given to him by Air Seddon was s<s large that he would have to pas® some or them over. ‘Whereupon the table® shook with laughter, in the midst of which the Premier’s wig voice was plainly heard WRWi, strating against “being given’away. Lwl that.”- , Commander. Rolleston fa nenhew of th# well-known ■ C" , o , 'T'b-/r>- *‘."t 1 r -"" lieve). who com::n:i*V II; Si. Ik Archer* r?v ... plied for the Navy, with a brevity and point which startled us a Tittle, and got a gr***l deal of applause. LIQUOR FOR TROOPS. ; [Peb Pbess Association.] AUCKLAND, Feb. IX : The Mayor has received the. following telegram from the Government: “Your telegram conveying the decision of th© cornmatte© not to give intoxicating drink to th® Imperial troops at the luncheon on, Saturday, lias just been received. The Government have been opposed to spirits being; given to the troops in any part of the colony, but as the men are accustomed to a glass* of beer it is crX.y right that no-at-tempt should be mad© to farce them ode way or the other. Beer will be provide® for" them immediately after your lunch-” The Mayor sent the following reply: “Will submit th© decision of the Government regairdfetg liquor to th© Executive Committee,” 1 ■ DEPARTURE FROAf WELLINGTON. fPiri Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Feb. IX Th© troopship' Britannic, with thp I perial representative troops on board, sail©# this afternoon for Napier, the troops being given a hearty send off by many hundreds of people gathered on the wharves. Mr Sad - • don, Mr Ward, and Mr Carroll also sailed for Napier in the Tutanekai. Mr Ward goes right on to Auckland, with th© troops.: THE INDIAN CONTINGENT. \ • [Peb Press Association.} ' AUCKLAND, Feb. 13. Seventy members of th© Indian CoUtdnJ gent were taken on an excursion to Lake Takapuna and hospitably entertained atjth® residence of Air H. Brett. The seed© on the lawn was a very bri Diant one, the bright green sward flanked by parterres of flowers forming a picturesque background to the magnificent uniform®, deed-, rated with Eastern profusion. Before the guests left, Major Misirikhan, the senior qdfofcr of th® Indian's, thanked Air Brett., He said the visitors had never seen & prettier place than th© lake. Three cheers for Mr Brett were heartily given. GENEROUS HOTELKEEPERS. [Per Press Association.] \* DUNEDIN, Feb. 13.' The hotelkeepers who entertained some of the Imperial officers, who were nob biEcted with citizens, have informed the mAyor that they will make no charge. - -i ■ A SOUVENIR. Th© only souvenir of the visit of tht , Imperial troops to New Zealand ie that ' which has been provided by , the enterprise of the proprietors - of thi “Canterbury Times,” whose special artiste and, reporters have accompanied th© troop* in their progress from th© Bluii through the colony. In this weeks’ “Canterbury Times ” the principal events of 'the troops’ progress are abiy depicted by pen and camera, the scenes illustrated, induddiig th© landing and march to the railway' statiori

'•'fc tho Bluff, th© reception and parade at Invercargill, the march through the crowded streets of Bimedm, amid a scene of patriotic enthusiasm; such as has never-before been, witnessed in New Zealand ; the troops |on tho march at Oamaru and Timaru, where ialso there were enthusiastic welcomes, .and. ft series of pictures of the unique entertainjment of the visitors at Ashburton. Thesplendid pageant at Christchurch is represented by a large number of views. The jparadte of the troops at the railway station On their arrival, and the scene as the imiporiug column received the order to march, show the full strength of the Contingent, knd the variety of uniforms and arms; the [procession is shown at various points of the Ifionte, prominence being given to the representatives of some of the more popular [regiments, and numerous scenes in Hagley pfark during the parade, march-past _ and exhibitions of drill are depicted, while a iview is given of the banquet-hall in the annexes. Croups of officers and jm«n of the various regiments are also, raEsnted, and some of the incidents of the are recorded by snapshots. Tho ilations are well executed, and with the descriptive reports form an artistic souvenir iof a memorable event in the* history of iGxeater 'Britain. The other ■ illustrations are also interesting and artistic, and with ffrlm number is presented the last portrait iof her late Majesty Queen .Victoria which has yet appearedit is printed on special [paper for framing, and should be obtained fend treasured in,every house as an “in Siemoriam” of the “Great White Queen.” fPhe “Canterbury Times” has eclipsed all previous efforts in this production, the price of which remains at ihe 'popular sixpence. A very large issue has -been printed, but to'ensure obtaining copies prompt application' must be made, as additional IffderSi.are pouring'in from all parts. .■ , - .