THE IMPERIAL TROOPS.

New Zealand Mail, 21 February 1901, Page 41

THE IMPERIAL TROOPS.

NAPIER, February 14. The reception to the Imperial troops was declared by both the Premier and Colonel Wyndham to be the most imposing yet seen. All the ©ountry and town volunteers were in force, and the railway facilities were taxed to the utmost to bring the country folk to town. It is estimated that 20,000 people were present. The town was profusely decorated.

On the Marine Parade the troops were briefly welcomed by the Premier, and the Primate gave a short address, saying he recognised among the troops representatives of six regiments to which lie was chaplain at the siege of Lucknow.

The troops were marched to the Recreation Ground, was provided, the officers being entertained at tlie Hawke’s Bay Club. Airine Tonore (Mrs J. P. Donnelly) presented Colonel Wyndham with her famous hack The Master, which holds an unbroketi record on the show grounds of the colony*

Natives were present in large nunir bers, and gave dances on the Recreation Ground. They presented the officers with a number of valuable mats and other Maori curios. This part of the seemed to specially interest the visitors, who followed with a fine display of -military drill. The troopship,-accompanied by the Tutanakaij, sailed for Auckland 1 during the evening, r / - ' NAPIER, February 14. At the General Synod to-day the Primate (Dt Cowie), who had been at the reception of the Imperial troops, and was wearing his Lucknow and Afghan medals, said • that among the regiments represented 1 were several to which he had been chaplain. There’ was no chaplain with the force, and on learning this the Premier had offered him a free passage in the Britannic to England. He did not like the troops' going Home without a chaplain, and with the consent of the Synod he: would • accept f the offer. Leave waagrantod with acclamation, [When the Britannic was in Wellington there were.po fewer than four chaplains on board. r.,/|hese gentlemen are at present on to Rotorua, and unless they have Resigned in a body, the remarks hq chaplain” are as incoinprehensibleas the statement that tlie Premier has actually appointed a chaplain to his/^ajjesty’s'forces.] , : ,JIUCKLAND, February 16. The troopship Britannic, with the Imperial troops on board, rounded North Head soon after daylight this morning, and was expeditiously berthed at. the. Railway Wharf, opposite the Indian troopship Dalhousie. ■ Dense crowds, numbering many thousands, assembled in town by eleven o'clock, and Queen street was. packed from the wharf up to Wellesley street. At 9.30 o’clock the Mayor (Mr D. Goldie) drove to the wharf, and went on board the Britannic, when details were definitely 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, the Imperial troops, headed by the Life “Guards, followed, their start from the barricade at the end of the wharf being the signal for an outburst of cheering. The scene was one of great brilliancy, there being fn every direction flags of every size and description. A larger crowd Auckland has never seen. Every verandah on the line of route was occupied; even the tops buildings supported lines of enthusiastic spectators.

At the Domain the Mayor, accompanied by members of the City Council, the Hons R. J- Seddon, J. G. Ward, T. Y. Duncan and J. McGowan received the visitors The Mayor welcomed the troops in an appropriate speech. The Premier said, in answer to a cablegram asking for an extension of the visit of the 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. Mach regret reasons against any further extension. —Roberts, London.” This created immense cheering, in which the troops all joined. Mr Seddon t continuing, said he hoped to have the troops stay in Auckland until Tuesday. He thanked the Mayor and citizens for the hearty welcome tendered the troops. Colonel Wyndham then called for cheers for the Mayor and citizens, which wer© heartily given. Cheers were given for the army, Lord Roberts, and the ladies ,at the request of Mr Seddon, after which the troops marched off to luncheon..

An interesting programme of military sports and exercises took place in the afternoon in the Domain, £IOO being given in prize money.

AUCKLAND, February 17. The Imperial troops, accompanied by r Seddon, Ward and others, left on a short visit to Rotorua early this morning. It is expected that they will be back in Auckland to-morrow morning. AUCKLAND, February 18. It is stated that never in the history of Auckland has such an immense crowd assembled in one spot as that which gathered in the Domain cricket ground on Saturday to see tlie Imperial troops. It is estimated that there must have been forty thousand spectators present. The great green amphitheatre was a marvellous, sight. - The soldiers sleeping in halls at Rotorua had a pretty rough time of it. By 6 o’clock the baths were filled with a laughing crowd of “ Tommies ” intensely enjoying the. warm dip. They were absolutely delighted with Rotorua, and wandered about in squads admiring the sight. The Maoris were mad with excitement. The Wairoa geyser was made to play for the visitors. - .