THE PRINCE IN INDIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17957, 6 December 1921, Page 9

THE PRINCE IN INDIA.

ARABIAN NIGHTS SCENES. SPLENDOUR OF THE ORIENT. I NATIVE STATES EN FETE. The following despatches, descriptive of the Prince of Wales' tour in India, are contributed by Sir Herbert Russell, the special correspondent of Router's Agency. ' BARODA, Nov. 23. To-day the Prince of Wales had his first experience of the splendour and hospitality of the Indian native States. Barodft looked* cool amid its profusion of foliage .for all the tingling sunglare as the train pulled up. The town and station were lavishly decorated. It was a great sceno J)f Oriental brilliance as the Prince stepped out of his carriage, r to the thunder of a native battery, .to «be greeted by the Maharaja and his shining jretinue. Entering the State barouche, 'scintillant with gold and jewels, |he Br.ihce,' with the Gaekwar, dro\;e slowly through tho town. The sound of tomtoms and shrill pipes mingled with the running'roar of cheering. ** Near the Nyaya Mandar the famous gold and sjlver guns, and the silver carriages with their richly caparisoned horses, wflre arrayed, together with six colossal elephants bearing gilded and' silver thrones. The Prince was much interested in these magnificent beasts, which were camouflaged into dazzling shapes, ono bearing a great tiger's head painted on his forehead. Passing through the luxuriant grounds of the Laxmi Palace, reminiscent of Versailles Gardens, tho Prirtce alighted and inspected the guard of honour composed of the 98th Infantry. Translated, the name of the palace means " beauty and wealth," and very fully does it realise this description. Tho aurbar hall, with its goldspun carpet, marble and' teak walls, and rows of statuesque guards, presented a deeply impressivo scene. Display of Priceless Jewels. The durbar at the Laxmi Palace, constituting a State visit by the Gaekwar to the Prince, the Prince returned it by attending a durbar in the Nazar Beg Palaco half-an-hour later. The Maharaja, meeting the Prince of Wales at the door, conducted him to a gold throne on the right of his own seat, behind which was ranged a fine group of State huzuras, with morchals and chowries. Aftor a short conversation, followed by the presentation of Ministers, sardars, and officers, who offered tribute of mohurs, the Gaekwar garlanded the Prince, presenting him with a bouquet, rosewater, attar of roses, and palm oil. The Maharaja then invited the royal guest to inspect tho jewellery which had been specially arranged for the purpose, and formed a display literally materialising wealth beyond the dreams of avarice. The ceremonies at the palaces were rendered deeply impressive by the stately dignity of it all, amid environments of a grandeur no words can reproduce. The wide and well-kept streets of Baroda, teeming with variegated crowds throughout the day—which was a general holiday—were animated by, marching troops and bands blaring forth very up-to-date music, tomtoms being, especially popular. Great dislike was' manifested by the horses of tho cavalry, lining the routes for the elephants' tramping in dignified unconcern betwixt their cavorting ranks.,

Elephants With Qolden Howdahs.'' UDAIPUR, Nov. 25. The Prince of Wales arrived atUdaipur this morning, after a 17 hours' journey across Maharastra through a wonderful ring of hills and under the' ancient' Dobari Gate spanning the railway. The unfortunate indisposition of the Maharana rendering it impossible for him to leave his palace, necessitated a modification of the original programme. Tho Prince \yas met on his arrival by the Maharan&'s eldest son, Prince Bhupal Singh, of Bedla, and 12 Meewar Sardars, whose high rank was shown by their golden anklets, and lacquered shields, symbolising their descent from the sun. Alighting from the train the Prince inspected a guard of honour of scarlet Sepoys of Shambha Paltan, and then entered a resplendent State barouche with' Prince Bhupal. The route to the British Residency, whdre the Prince was to stay, le<J past blue lagoons set amid -lofty, jagged hills, and was lined by guards of tho Mewai Bhil Corps, mounted kettle-drummers at frequent intervals sounding rataplans. Heavily-bejewelled elephants, with golden howdans, ware placed at the disposal of the Prince and nis staff. Dense crowds, palpitating with garish colours, were massed all the Way from the Station to the hoary city walls, but unlike previous experiences, there was iho cheering, but an intense babble, manifesting great interest and satisfaction. At the Suraj Pol Gate the Royal procession was me.t by a gorgeous medley of State police, elephants, and cavalry, Jagirdar contingents, and bands of tomtoms. i Scene of Fairy-like Enchantment.

UDAIPUR, Nov. 27. The Prince's visit to Udaipur has been largely in the nature of a rest owing to the modification of the offioial programme. The Prince tramped ten miles, snipe shooting, on Saturday afternoon, astonishing the Rajputs with his energy. He was much amused at the wild Bliil pipe and drum band which serenaded him at the Residency. His suite organised a biggame shoot among the surrounding hills, which swarm with wild boar, cheetahs, and buck. The Prince's procession to the Maharana's palace an Friday night was a sceno of fairyliko enchantment. Pichola Lake is a great artificial lagoon dotted with islands and encircled by Dare, jagged hills, crowned with watch towers built in the days of the Mogul invasion. The islands mostly bear stately pleasure domes and palaces, which rise in lofty white proportions sheer out of the_ water. The whole had been transformed into a tracery of lambent fire by myriads of lights. Shrines, temples, colonnades, and minarets were silhouetted in shimmering outlines, finding a sparkling reflection in the glasssmooth lake. The Princo embarked in a motor-launch and proceeded slowly down this exquisite panorama of soft golden light to Sarup Sagar Ghat, close under the pallid mass of the palace zenna. Stepping ashore, he took his seat in a " Tomjon, a species of palaqquin, but without a roof. This was raised shoulder high by beaTers and carried to tho palace.entrance, surrounded by torch-bearers in lurid red costumes. The venerable-looking Maharana, although so jll that he has fainted several times in the last few days, managed to meet the Princo in the reception hall, withdrawhig as. the eucsts entered, to the banquetipg hall. Saturday • tho Prince spent quietly. , # . , The unmistakable impression which one gets in moving about among the people is that thev are suffering considerable poverty.'and hope that the Prince's visit may be the harbinger of better times.