THE INDIAN TROOPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11576, 14 February 1901, Page 6

THE INDIAN TROOPS.

DRIVE THROUGH THE SUBURBS. VISIT TO THE ONEHUNGA WOOLLEN' MILLS. The Auckland authorities are leaving no stone unturned to make the star of the Indian troops pleasurable, and to create among the visitors a favourable impression of our city and its citizens. Yesterday forenoon the Indians were allowed a few hours to themselves, but promptly at one o'clock, in the afternoon, three drags were in waiting at the head of the Railway Wharf to take the visitors on a drive, arranged by the subcommittee appointed by the General Committee for the reception and entertainment of the Imperial troops. Messrs. McKail Geddes. C. E. Wood, and C. E. MacCormick, had the matter in hand, and the moment the troops had taken their seats the party moved off. starting out on what proved to them a most enjoyable afternoon's outing. Captain J. Henegan (10th Burma Rides) was in charge of the contingent, numbering between 60 and 70. and together with Captain Pifford. R.N.R. (commander of the Dalhousiel. accompanied the troops as far as Mount Eden, when they returned. having other engagements. Passing through Queen-street. Wellesley-street.. and Sy-monds-street. to Mount Eden, the visitors were accorded a warm reception by the public, school children cheering lustily, and adults recognising thern with the waving of handkerchiefs and doffing of hats, salutations* that evidently afforded the Indians much pleasure, as one and all cordially acknowledged these evidences of good feeling. Arrived at the foot- of Mount Eden the drags were drawn up, and the troops made their way to tie summit, pausing here and there. to take in the view afforded from the various points of vantage. Taking up their position at the trig station, from which the view of the surrounding country is a commanding one. the various places of interest were pointed out to the troops, and detailed explanations given by Captain Morrow, who kindly acted as interpreter. Unfortunately, however, though the sky overhead was cloudless, a thick haze—evidently smoke from bush firesrested over the Barriers. Cape Colville, and the Tokatea Ranges, completely obliterating the view in that quarter; a rather disappointing fact, as the day had been looked upon as an ideal one for seeing the peninsula. Leaving Mount Eden at half-past two the party was driven to Onehunga, via Mount Eden and Epsom, and ail along the route they were received with the same enthusiasms that had marked the run to the mountain's foot; indeed, at Onehunga, the crowd was quite a large one, the inhabitants lining the streets right through the township. Another large gathering awaited the arrival of the Indians at the Onehunga Woollen Mills, where His Worship the Mayor (Dr. Erson) was in waiting to welcome the contingent, and Messrs. J. Parker (managing director). W. Tborne, John Burns (directors), and Park (mill manager), were also present to show the visitors through the company's fine mill. His Worship, in welcoming the troops, said it afforded the residents of Onehunga and himself great pleasure to have them in their midst. They- (the Onehunga people) looked upon the Indian troops as the bulwarks of the great Empire from which they were drawn, just as the New Zealanders, were themselves looked upon as a portion of the bulwarks of Greater Britain. Only recently their visitors, as well as themselves, had lost a great and good mother in their late Sovereign, Queen Victoria, Empress of India, who had always been the same to her children in India as to those of other parts of the vast Empire, one who had looked closely to the welfare of her subjects and respected all religious feelings and castes. Yet while they had lost their Empress they had at the same time gained a Sovereign and Emperor in King Edward VII., to whom the speaker had no doubt they would exj tend that loyalty that had marked them in the past. The troops were then shown through the mill, and were much impressed and pleased with what they saw, the one room that seemed to claim most attention being the finishingroom, where the woollen goods, manufactured by the company, were shown, nearing completion and in the finished state, the brighter coloured articles particularly appealing to them. Before leaving the leading representatives of the various provinces represented were presented with mauds (shawls), they themselves being allowed to make the selection. They were much pleased with the souvenirs of their visit, and after partaking of th«j liberal array of light refreshments and fruit provided by the mill employees, they were driven back to the ship, via Newmarket and Parnell. Before leaving Onehunga the troops gave three hearty cheers for the Mayor ,and people of Onehunga, and for the Onehunga Woollen Company. Last evening a number ot the troops attended the theatres, and although no definite programme had been arranged by the sub-committee yesterday, it is probable that a visit to the Kauri Timber Company's mills will be made to-day.