THE IMPERIAL TROOPS

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12428, 18 February 1901, Page 6

THE IMPERIAL TROOPS

ARRIVAL AT AUCKLAND. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Feb. 17. The Imperial troops, accompanied by Messrs Soddon and Ward, and others, left on a short visit to RoLonia early this morn- ; ing..:, Theyaie expected back in< Auckland to-morrow morning RECEPTION IN: AUCKLAND. A BRILLIANT SPECTACLE.' :• [Per ■ Pbkss Association-.] AUCKLAND, Feb. ,16. The troopship Britannic,-: with-'' the,''lmperial troops, rounde'd the' North; Head soon after daylight this morning,;-and'was. expeditiously berthed' at; the '.Railway Wharf, opposite the Indian troopship Dal.housie. Dense crowds, numbering many thousands assembled in town by •uleveu o'clock, and Queen Street was packed from the wharf up to Welleslcy Street. At 9.30 o'clock the Mayor (Mr D. Goldic) drove to the wharf and went on board tho Britannic, where tho details wero deiiiiitely settled regarding the day's proceedings. Shortly after .eleven o'clock all was ready and the procession began to get under way. The country volunteers moved away first, being joined by the town, battalions. Tho Imperial troops, headed by the Horse Guards followed, their start from the barricade at the end of tho wiiarf being the signal for an outburst of cheering. Never has Queen Street looked gayer than it did this morning. Every building sported bunting, and the scene was one of great brilliancy. Three lines of bunting .were, stretched across the street, and the east sidewas marked as far as the eye could see with flags of every size and description. A larger crowd Auckland has never seen." Every verandah, on the line of the route was occupied"; even the tops of the buildings supported lines of enthusiastic spectators. The ; scene is not likely to be'forgotten by those who saw it. The flags overhead, cheering crowds on verandahs and side walks and streets, made a splendid "foil"' to the line of scarlet and 1 khaki. At the Domain the Mayor, accompanied by the members of the City Council, also by the Hons R. J. Seddon, J. G. Ward, T. Duncan and J. M'Gowan, received the visitors. The Mayor welcomed the troops in an appropriate speech. The Premier said as this was his last opportunity of welcoming the Imperial troops ho wished once more to say how pleased he was to see before him officers and men, who wene representatives of the finest army in the world. Of late years the army had been spoken of somewhat disrespectfully, but. the war in South Africa showed that the men of today were quite equal to the old traditions of the army. He could assure Colonel Wyndham that he was now in the most military part of New Zealand. Thank God the other parts of the colony had not had the. .necessities of Auckland in the past for the assistance of the militaTy. He wished especially on this occasion to welcome Colonel. Peyton and the Indian troops, as this was the first opportunity afforded him of doing so. In answer to cablegrams asking for'an extension •of the visit of ths troops he. had just received. the following cable:—"Approval is given for the Imperial troops to stay in New Zealand for thirteen days, including days of arrival and departure, instead of ten days. Much regret reasons against any further extension. — Roberts, London." The reading of the message created immense cheering, in which the troops all joined, and a voice from the crowd called out'"Good old Dick." Mr Seudon. continuing, said he hoped, to have the troops stay in Auckland until Tuesday. Ho had also received a cable from the Agent-General stating that the stay.of thejlmperial troops .would bo extended by. three days. lie wished to thank the Mayor and citizens for the hearty welcome they had tendered to the troops. Colonel Wyndham then called for cheers for the Mayor and citizens, and they were heartily given. ' Cheers were then given for the, army, for Lord Roberts and for the ladies at the request of Mr Seddon, ( after which the troops marched off to luncheon. Complete arrangements had been made for the catering of the officers.and men,'who were entertained separately, and were very liberally provided for. A most interesting programme of military sports and exercises took place in the afternoon in the Domain, £IOO being .given in prize money. GISBORNE, Feb. 16. Preparations a.re being made for/a fitting reception to the Indian troops on their arrival here next week. The Hon J. Carroll arrived from the south this morning.