TOUR OF THE INDIAN TROOPS

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4290, 25 February 1901, Page 7

TOUR OF THE INDIAN TROOPS

THE TRIP FROM NAPIER. ENTHUSIASM AND HOSPITALITY 'By Our Special Reporter.) On' X.ipicr jjnoplo turned up in grout Jtiirc, ;i. I.lie railway station on Satur■iay ijio'-iimg to sec ilio Indian troops, :j> hundreds had bacn disappointed on rue previous day on account of the abaudonnieiit ot tho reception. The weather ■'Lowed little improvement: but alibiing!!. j! blew heavily and rained .stead, ily, the send-oli' was of a hearty nature, 'I he train steamed out at 9.50 a.in., to tiie time of "Aukl Lang Syne,” played by the Napier Garrison Rand, who, hy thoughtful arrangement of the author;.tie;, accompanied the contingent. The J Lou Jamuj Carroll travelled by the Ir.'iin us far rs Ha,tings. The Mayor of J tastings (Mr \V. Y . Dennett) and the rcccpt ion mjittco had everything ;-n

rcadine to receive the troops without i lehr, iu;.; ihe train longer than the five annul cs idle.veal iu the Umo-tahle. .Several hundred people had assembled at tbo railway station. Part of the platlonu was kept clear in order to pern lit the. troops to walk about. A <iuiiiiriitl.ee of ladies treated the visitors to a fruit banquet, of grapes, pears, tomatoes and other delicious fruits picked from local gardens. At the request of Mr Dennett three cheers wore given for Iho Indian troops, and a. similar cmu plimont was paid to the Hon . (d. Ward, Minister for Railways, who ac.

einnpanied the train, and through whoso •.hoiiglitruliiess Hie people on the* line nine able to get a. look at the Indian soldiers—probably the only one many of them will ever got. The sbicere, manner in which the compliment was acknowledged by (he residents nil along lh<; line roast liavo been very gratifying to the Minister. Thu wealing- at Hustings was fine, and there appeared a. likelihood ,'if tbo rain clearing and helping to make the til), successful.

A short stay was made at To Auto, wbeiv cheers were given ami exchanged. The To Auto Cpllcgo hoys lined up in fore.! along Iho railway lino opposite the College .uul gave a hearty cheer as the train i Ir.inioii by.

At Waipawa the visitors were met by Air (A Hall, member for the district. The troop? wore entertained on the platform by the local committee. There was a I,:;/ crowd present, who cheered the ...eldiers again and again. *.Vi!i:'uijitr;;i( was reached shortly after midday. The lieu W. C. Smith, M.L.O. headed the reception committee. The sudden repetition of the hearty reception 1 ) and the plentiful supply of refreshments will eh followed were too much for the welcome guests, who accepted and shortly afterwards distributed the gifts of fruit, etc., among their newlyiiKule Juvenile friends.

Throughout the trip it was noticeable that the Maoris were much quicker in making acquaintance with the Indian officers than the Europeans. ft was raining steadily when Ormondville was reached at 1.20 p.m., and the weather diil not improve for the remainder of the journey. The fact that the settlers hud to tramp some distance in the rain, and that there was no shelter at the railway station, was not allowed to interfere with Ormondville’s quota to tho day’s programme. The welcome received was quite as hearty as at pre-

vious stations. The .Ltuahine Mounted Rifles formed a guard of honour to the troops at Da line virke, and gave a military air to the proceedings there. Complete arrangements, which reflected credit on those who carried them out, were made for the reception of the visitors at Woodville, tho principal stopping place, which was reached at 2.35 p.m., and where a half-hour’s halt was made. About half the long platform was reserved for tho visitors, who lunched at a long tabic. Tho Woodville Rifles, under Captain Stevenson, and the Woodville and Pahiatna Mounted Rifles. under Captain Bolton, were lined up at the railway station, and kept tho reserved area clear. The Woodville Brass Band, under Bandmaster Lawrence, played selections during the'‘proceedings:". The Mayor (Mr Motley) and Town Clerk (Mr Crawford), and members of the reception committee, had as theiJ guests at luncheon tho Minister for Railways, Mr J. O’Meara, M.H.R., tho officer in charge of tho contingent, and tho captains of tho local volunteer corps. Mr Motley, who presided, proposed tho toast of “Tho King/’ Mr O’Moara proposed tho toast of “The Indian Troops, ’ coupled with 'the name of Lieutenant Pocoek, who suitably replied. The toast of “Tho Minister for Railways” was proposed by Captain Boltou. Tho Mayor took tho opportunity to publicly thank tho stationmas'ter. Mr Dobbio, for tho obliging manner in which ho had assisted the reception committee in carrying out the arrangements for tho reception. In replying, tho Hon J. G. Ward stated that from a personal knowledge of tho officer, ho was able to endorse the good opinion oppressed by the Mayor. Before leaving the Hon J. G. Ward, on behalf of tho visitors, returned thanks to the people of Woodville for their hospitality. and culled for three cheers, which made tho station ring. Cheers given for the Hon J. G. Ward were no less hearty Mangatainofia was added to the stopping places, and the settlers who assembled made tiie most of tho .opportunity offered of getting a good look at the visitors.

Sir O’Meara, who boarded the train at Wondvillo, joined his constituents at Pahiatna. Addressing tho people who had assembled, tho Minister for Railways regretted that the weather was bad, and that they wore limited for time, having t.o make about twenty stoppages during the day. A calLfor cheers for the troops was responded to in the usual hearty manner..

Tho Ekctnhuna Mounted Rifles, under Captdu McDermott, assembled at the Eketahuua station, which was crowded with people. During the stay of about live minutes tho, visitors mixed amongst and conversed with tho volunteers and civilians on tho platform. Captain McDermott and Iris men -were thanked on behalf of the contingent Tor honouring them by their presence. The Mauricoviiro residents, who assembled on the railway platform, were disappointed, as they only got a fleeting "linipso of the soldiers of the King as Tho train flashed past. At .Mas ter ton a. tremendous crowd (ritherod, the railway station being uncomfortably filled by people anxious to got within reasonable distance of tho train Apparently , no arrangements had he cm ' made for the detraining of the visitors and the greatest confusion prevailed At no other station throughout tho trip was there such disorder. As rsuil tho Napier Garrison Band detrained; and it was somewhat amusing sec them break off in the middle of a selection and endeavour to clear the wav for tho Indian troops to get along tho platform from their carnages. Mr C \ Pownall (Mayor) was on tho platform’ Tho Minister for Railways took a good humoured view of the situation, and, in thanking the people ofMasteiton for the cordial manner in which they

had turned out, regretted that the railway station was not large enough tc hold them. This remark was applauded, Refreshments were placed in each carriage for the use of the visitors. Cheers were heartily fi-ichanged, and the os. teem in which Mr Ward is held was shown in a striking manner. On arrival at Carterton the train wamet by Mr J. T. M. Hornsby, M.11.R, Tim Tc Ore Ore Mounted Rules, under Captain Romini, and the Carterton Mounted Lilies, under Captain Izard, were drawn up alongside th<- station. A salute was fired as the train came into the s'ation. On the platform a- squad of the To OreJJre Rifles kept excellent order, and reserved a. .'.pace which per. mittod the troops to pass along from either end to the centre, which was used as a refreshment buffet. Unfortunately the time was limited, and did not permit of the local corps being inspected by the Indian officers. In thanking the ircal corps, the Minister for Railways hoped they would take the, cpporunrU of seeing the Indian troops mounted at ■Wellington. A departing salute wivs given hy the explosion of detonators, which had been placed on the railway (lines. A hearty send-oft was accorded ho (ho visitors. The shades of night—and rain—were falling fast when Foathcrston was reached at about 6.M0 p.m. Tim reception committee, of which Mr -I. P. Cox, ol the Town Board, was chairman, provided refreshments, which were partaken of hy the troops on the platform. The Upper Mutt was not reached till B.MO p.m. ; but notwithstanding the late hour the residents assembled at the railway station, and Messrs (L Brown and C. Rawson, J.l’.’s, who formed the reception committee, treated the guests iu a hospitable! manner. The other stopping places were Lower Hutt ard Potone. The railway platforms at. each place were crowded, but owing to tbe lateness of tbo hour, and the fact that residents of the suburbs

’ r Hf.nhi have the opportunity of seeing (lie troops under more favourable cir- , cumstanccs in Wellington to-day, it was , | not considered, necessary for the latter , I to leave the train. Although several extra stopping places wore added to tho timo-rabie originally 1 fixed, the train arrived at the Wolling- ' | ton station up to time—9.2o p.m. Great ,i credit is due to Inspector Dawson, who *1 wmit to Napier and brought the train ! I through, for tho manner in which the I train arrangements ware carried out. 'Dio troops wore detrained alongside the ! troopship at Jervois quay at 9.3 b p.m. Tho Napier Garrison Baud carried out it:-. part of tho programme in a i thorough manner. It took part in Him send-off at Napier, boarded the train : ;md helped to considerably enliven the proceedings by playing on the platforms, of tho different stopping places. This was kept tip till Petone was reached, and when the contingent got to their destination, at Jervois quay tho band played them on to the troopship. Bandmaster D’Authroau conducted and BandSergeant Spiller was in charge. Tho , band is to return to Napier this movn- , ing. i Sergeant Slater, Staff-Bugler of the East Coast Battalion, _ accompanied the ; contingent from Napier. His duties j were made light by ,tho prompt manner in which tho troops answered to the j bugle call at tho different stations. i RECEPTION AT UPPER HUTT. i \ (By Our Special Reporter.) ! A few minutes after schedule-time—--8.16—-the Napier train, conveying a portion of tho Indian Contingent now visiting Wellington, drew up at the tipper Hutt Station on Saturday night. , Through, some kindly 'dispensation the . rain, which had been falling all day, ; oeased as tho hour of the contingent’s : arrival approached, only to be renewed, ; singularly enough, in torrents after its ; departure. Tho platform was crowded . with curious and enthusiastic specta- ; tors, many of whom had driven in long ' distances to witness an occurrence ; unique in local annals. In tho waiting room two tables had been spread with light refreshments provided by the ■ townspeople, while the stafcionmaster 1 had raked out. every lamp in the department to assist in a grand illufninaition in honour of the occasion. As the train > steamed up, to the platform it |wns seen that every window was occu-

'pied by a burnous,'beneath, which olive- ' tinted faces, so melancholy in repose, 1 but now wreathed in smiles, appeared, 5 The ire was speedily broken, and sans * ceremony, the country folk were seen making the acquaintance of the Kings 1 handsome Eastern warriors, who, noth- i; j iug loth, responded! freely to their ad- ; Ivanooß. In most cases the courtesies 1 (exchanged were confined, perforce of T . | circumstances, to a. shako of the hand. , , It was noticeable, how friendly were the j inclinations of the Indians towards tho 5 children, whoso wide-eyed astonishment r ! seemed to attract .them irresistibly, j j Flowers were given, and , exohqngcd. ' | All tooi soon for the satisfaction of the [ crowd tbo bugle sounded, and tho men 1 re-entered the train. The Minister for I Railways (Hon J. G. Ward) addressed a i few words to those on the ■ platform, 1 thanking them for the heartiness of 1 their greeting, and calling for three cheers for the visitors, which were giv- 1 en with stentorian heartiness. One of ; the Indians told the “Times” rep re- i ■sentatives that he and his comrades were being made giad by the welcomes ( which, they were receiving at the way- i side stations, and that the kindness of i those among whom they came as stran- t gers had pleased them much. They wore hoginning to feel that they were ; indeed one people with us, and that ; was a great thought. Upper Hutt resi- S dents declared that tho visit was one 1 of tho happiest events that had taken i place in tho district.

AT WANGANUI. (By Our Special Reporter.) Tho usual holy calm of Sunday in Wanganui was disturbed yesterday in anticipation of the Indian troops, which spent tho previous evening at New Plymouth. In sullen deference to the occasion, tho steady downpour of rain of tho previous day and evening ceased. The hour of arrival, shortly before one p.m., was an inconvenient one, but £.ll engagements were discarded, and apparently tho whole population of the charming town, swelled by hundreds of visitors from its immediate environment, assembled at the railway station some timo before the'train arrived from New Plymouth, eager to give a welcome, and curiously interested to see the representatives of that vast fighting power, tho Indian army It was an appreciated concession that even a detachment of the troops were allowed to visit The district. Tho opportunity of seeing ■ such men may' never again occur to most people in the /district. It was therefore taken advantage of to the utmost.-

Although , the visiting soldiers were only a few men, not more than fifty, they represented the strength, the magnificence of an Empire, a paraUel to which is not to bo found in history. Readers are familiar with tho conquest of India—that vast country, with its teeming millions, its system of caste, its mysterious creeds—by a handful of British soldiers. They know of the »ucj cess of the East India Company; the

dark days of the Mutiny, which, following upon the Crimean war, found Britain weakened, but not dispirited. Then came tho pacification of the country, and the conversion of a hostile force into a warm ally, who retrieved the victories of Candahar, Cabul and Guznee. Is there cause for wonder that- people gaze curiously upon the prototypes of ,-ho men who took part iu these wonderful events f Fraternising with one another were representatives of the creeds of the country, Hindu and Buddhist.

Mohammedan and Pagan, ail sworn, tc conoid the supremacy of Groat Britain, there arc fighters from tho Punjaub,

Micro are Sikhs, and Afridis from Tirah. Here is a jolly little Gurka, whose fighting qualities are altogether out of proi oortion to his-stature; and there is a Rajput, reputedly the cleanest-living, .■nri" perhaps tho best soldier in the ~rC ri (l a vegetarian in diet, a Spartan ,;i habits, wnose mind soars above the 4;,u-(i id things of the world. There are dso Madrassccs amongst the contingent, Jv.'S and jjogras, Bengalis and Roliillus. As the men emerged from the railway carriages for inspection and refreshment There wore no traces of dissipation '■•’"revelry; their' features were bright .■nd their eyes brilliant, their bearing martial The train drew up at- the Maria, place crossing, and, headed by a V;n<i, the contingent marched down .V'il-iOU strfeeb to the railway station, -'in the plat form of which rcirc.shniciit :Tides were sot. They wore mob by the reception, committee, which consisted ot ih - Mavor (Mr A. Hattrick), Messrs ti.v.e Gibbons, G. Spriggins, S. Griffiths, .n-.d J. G. Swan. The local volunteers kneel the road to the railway station, Amonest those present were Lieut.GolomT Watt, commanding tho district, ami Lieutenant-Colonel Sonimcrvillc. _ The fare of the men is,very frugal—boiled eggs, fruit, aerated waters ami !u- rbdts, and these were liberally sup-i-'ied The member for Iho town, Mr \ D Willis, 'was prominent in the re-<-,.nt ion. The official party included the Right Hon R. -J. Soddon, Minister ot Defence who directed the arrangements, ,-ad Colonel Polo Penton, Commandant. The British officers in command of the Indian troops are Colonel Peyton, oi the Mi ll Bengal Lancers, and.Captaia Campbell, also of the 14th Bengal Lancers. Tho colonel is a fine stamp of a Bntisu ohicor, whose unostentatious bnt strongly marked individuality lies gained for him Hie respect and confidence of tbe composite force under ids command. During the stay of tho contingent at Wanganui an interesting incident occurred Gi the presentation of a basket of fruit on behalf of Mrs Wood, of tho Wanramii College, staff, whoso brother | is colonel of the 10th Bengal Lancers. The .Maoris, though somewhat shy at first, freely fraternised with the Indians. ' "Same colour as me,” said a wahiue. (minting to her face. A croup of na- : rives were much surprised hy the salutation, from a stalwart and irodal-bedeck- : e.d Bengal Lancer, ot “Tenakoc,”_ which , ho had probably learnt from tho Auck- j ■and natives. The Maori war veterans, j too, assembled in force, most of _them ! with medals on their breasts, and it was ( interesting to see how 1 cfuickly they struck up a fraternal acquaintance, with thoir comrades of tho Indian Army, and the mutual admiration they extended to inch other. The stay at Wanganui extended to close upon an hour. Mr W. S. Dustin is entitled to a word of praise far his excellent catering. The bill-of- s f'-ro, if somewhat simple, was-unusual. 1 The band played Auld Lang Syne as the r train left the station. c

ON THE ROAD TO WELLINGTON. The train travelled at express speed until Turakino was reached, having in the meantime made up a quarter of an hour’s lost time. After replenishing the engine boilers, it sped on its way to Marten, where a large crowd was assembled. The Mounted Rifles were drawii up at the station, and presented a smart soldierly appearance, and stood well the critical inspection of the Indians, most of whom are cavalry men. Hero the troops were paraded. Pending gave a creditable welcome. The Mayor (Mr Goodbehere) and the member (Mr Lethbridge) welcomed the visitors on behalf of the town a.nd district. The 1 roops wore again paraded for inspection, jumping out of the carriages with alacrity at the whistle of tho duffadar. The band played a selection of music during their short stay. Palmerston rose well to the occasion. In tho absence of the Mayor, Mr Pirani, M.H.R., welcomed tho visitors. The band and Volunteers turned out, and the troops had a, short march. Hove, also, the visitors were treated to refreshments. Mr Pirani addressed the troops— it was the first speech delivered during the trip—his welcome being interpreted by Captain. Campbell. At Shannon, Levin, Otaki, Plimmerton, Porirna and Johnsonvillo there was a short stoppage, and r.t each of these places large crowds assembled. The train arrived in Wellington at 10.15 p.m., the men being detrained at Jervois quay, and proceeding on, board tho Dalhousie.

Tho stopping-places north of Wanganui were Inglewood, Stratford. Eltham, Ilawera, Patea, Waverley and Waitctara.

Mr Inspector Wood, of the Railway Department, had charge of tho run, and under his supervision tho train arrangements wore admirably carried out.

When the men loft Wanganui they donned mufti, and in their mixed and unique attire they presented an even more picturesque appearance than in their military garb. An incident occurred at one of the stopping-places which showed the popularity of tho Premier. When the right hon gentleman was observed by a knot of lads, one .exclaimed', “ Good old Dick!” Mr Seddon was equal to the occasion. “ Good-bye, boys,’’ he said, “Be good,” and up went a cheer.

At a number of places along the route Mr and Mrs Seddon were presented with bouquets, that presented at Palmerston being a particularly handsome one.

All along the luxe, at hamlets and stations, groups of people v.cited, but beyond a momentary glance they saw little of tho soldiers. The residents saluted, however, with cheers and waving of handkerchiefs.

WOODVILLE, February 23. Notwithstanding drenching rain last night, a large crowd, including volunteers, mounted rifles, and baud, assembled at the railway station to receive tho Indian troops as they passed through on their wav' to Now Plymouth. The troops were entertained at supper, and the officers and Premier were enter-tained-by-the Borough Councillors. NEW PLYMOUTH, February 24.

The reception of the Indian troops yesterday was spoilt by heavy rain, which continued all day. An enormous number of country people were in town, and were greatly disappointed. Tho troops hold a reception in the Drill Hail, and it was largely attended. The Mayor entertained the Premier and tho visiting officers, including Colonel Polo Penton and staff. the luncheon Captain Campbell replied to the toast of “The Indian troops.” Captain Campbell, an officer of the Indian Contingent, was presented by the Mayor, on behalf -of admirers, with a handsome kiwi mat, also with a honeysuckle stick.

Colonel Dadbha was. presented with r; - greenstone ear-ring. 1 This morning the contingent left ai , 7.30 o’clock. A large gathering of citi- ; zens and volunteers gave them a good • send-off. WANGANUI, February 24. ; The Indian troops arrived here to--1 dav. The men detrained about half a - mile from the railway station, and ■ marched through the streets to the sta- : tiou, being led by the Garrison Band : and escorted by tile local volunteers. A > Luge crowd of people lined the ■ route. ()u an va! ai the station refreshments were provided for tho visitors, after which the public were ■ admitted to tho platform. The soldiers • were much admired.. Independent groups of Maoris greatly amused the visitors by dancing hakas, Mr Seddon and his narty lunched at a hotel. There was a slight fall ot rain during the re--1 motion. ARRIVAL OF THE DALIIOUSIE. On Saturday morning the troopship Dalhousie, of the Royal Indian Marine, steamed up the harbour, and after a short delay in the stream was brought to her berth M the Jervois quay wharf, ;>v the harbourmaster, Captain Johnston. The beautiful spick and span appearance of tho vessel at once caught the eye, one her sheer sides, square port holes, and peculiar top-hamper, denoted something of her special work. The vessel L painted white, like tho Britannim Ihe Daihohsio is commanded by Captain A. J. w Piffard, an officer who has seen service in defence of the Empire, and his lieutenants are Messrs Hordern. Fitzwilliams, Goldsmith, and Vibarfc. ->>e vessel is manned _by LaScars, 120 men specially trained for tho service, who, iu their uniforms, present a rather finei appearance than the Lascars seen lime with Indian cargo-carriers. The present visit of tho Dalhousio to Wellington is her first appearance in these waters, in fact, this vessel’s trip to the Cape witn troops during the present war was the first time a'vessel of the East Indian Marine had left Indian waters. She is specially fitted up for the Indian troops the Europaru officers of the contingent being accommodated in u’.o saloon, the Indian-officers iu the second saloon, and the men in different parts of the ship. Of special fittings for the men then a are none, for a single blanket and a tew feet .of floor space suffices a native tor - h ; s nmht’s rest. When his blanket is folded"" up ins sleeping space becomes: his dining place. He sits on t.ic npoi ■ and takes his feed from ms solitary dish without the aid of cither knife or fork. A number of people, curious to have a look at the Indian “trooper, gathered mi tho wharf as the vessel came up to . her berth, despite the ram. Both durino- Saturday and yesterday large mnu- ; hers visited the vessel, though the great . maioriby had to ho content with an outsido inspection. The small boy has < been particularly troublesome, and the - .rood-n atured Indian attendant on e , gang-way has had his patience sorely ; tried. 1

aboard the troopship. Tho Dalhousie which was berthed at Jcrvois quay, naturally attaactcda large number -of persons _ jesterdaj. The privilege of frea admission to the stearner was largely taken fdvantago ot hv tho public but so grossly abused by a —chiefly juveniles, who P d in a rude, boisterous and rowdy manner that the order was given to clear the ship. After that Jiad been accom■liishcd a constable was put on duty at the van gw ay, and only privileged persons were allowed admittance. - Large numbers of citizens went aboard, but a largqj; crowd remained enviously''gazihg from the wharf. Those , who gained the steamer’s decks were most courteously received, and were shown many objects of interest by the ship’s officers ana crew® The stoical way in winch a number of the soldiers stood to attention whilst curious visitors examined their medals and remarked upon their attire and bearing was amusing to the casual onlooker. Many of tho troopers are well acquainted with the English, uaoe, and converse pleasingly and with, intelligence. One gathers from them in conversation that they a r © enjoying thenstay in New Zealand, that the climate, though unseasonable, is acceptable to them that they greatly appreciate the opportunity of tram-travelling about the country, that they hate the sea and ship-hoard, and that they are very gratiheel for the kindness and hospitality which they have experienced at the hands of the Australians and New Zealanders. Strangely enough, they prefer New Zealand climatically to Australia. The majority of tho men wear Indian service medals, and several of them have quite a number of decorations on thoir breasts. The wearers evidently enjoy tho attention which these distinctions induce.

HOW THE VISITORS MAY BE ENTERTAINED. The Indian Army, of which the Dalhousie contingent is fully-representative, is recruited in the various districts of India from the fighting class of the different castes, and is composed of Brahmins, Sikhs, Rajpoots, Jats and a few- others. The great majority of the Dalhousie men are either Hindoo or Mahometan in religion. As to diet* the Brahmins are the only vegetarians on board. The Mahometan objects only to pork, and the Hindoo will eat every description of meat except beef, the bullock and cow being sacred animals with them, Each caste must cook its own food, and as there are twelve different castes on board, the matter of conforming to their rales of diet is attended with ' considerable inconvenience. As tno different castes require that their own kind should cook for them, the galley fires have to be kept going the whole time. The different sets of cooks take it in turn to use the galley. The favourite meat with tho Mahometans and Hindoos is mutton. In their own country they eat a good deal of goat flesh. So particular is tho Brahmin* about the cooking of his food that should the shadow of a European (or an “unbeliever”) fall upon the cooking utensils or the food they are at once cast away as polluted, ' J Sweets 'including fruit, of which they are very fond) are the principal things which can be offered to our Indian visitors, and though they object to eating any food cooked by others than their own caste, they class cake as sweets*. They are very fond of milk, and are' rather partial to tea- and coffee. All ‘except the few Brahmins and Sikhs smoke, and, as there are only two or three Brahmins and eight or nine Sikhs, the offering of cigars and cigarettes is a convenient form of showing attention. THE IMPERIAL OFFICERS. Attached to the contingent are five Imperial officers, including the medical officer, whose names and rank follow: Commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colo-nel Lumley Sc'obell Peyton, 14ra Bengal Lancers. Captain H. W. Campbell, 18th Bengal Lancers.

Captain J. Heuegan, district staff-of-ficer, 10th Burmah Rifles. : T Lieutenant P. Pocock, 19th Bombay Infantry (adjutant). Major J. Scott, Indian medical staff (medical officer). Colonel Peyton, Captain Henegan and Major Scott have been on leave. They travelled overland from Auckland and

I joined the contingent here. - Captain Campbell was in charge of the section which visited Taranaki, and arrived here last night. Lieutenant Poccck was in command of the other half of the contingent, which came through from Napier, via the Wairarapa- district. TO-DAY’S PROCEEDINGS. To-day will be observed as a half-holi-day in Wellington. If the weather is line a procession of the Indian troops, escorted by the local volunteers, will start from Jervois quay at 2.30 p.m., and march past the General Post Office, round the Government Braidings, on to Lamb ton quay, along Willis, Manners, j Cuba, Ingestrc- and Vivian streets, intoi Cambridge terrace. Thence the procession will march into Courtenay place, down Tory street .Extension, and back to Jervois quay. At the Jervois quay Band Rotunda the volunteers will form a hollow square round the Indian troops during the delivery of speeches by the Mayor and the Premier. Afterwards tbo Indian troops will return aboard the Dalhousie. VISIT TO NELSON. It is doubtful whether tho Indian Conr mgent will he able to leave Wellington ,ii rime to catch to-morrow morning’s tide at Nelson. If they leave at midu ght to-day, or early to-morrow mornbig. they would be iu time for the afHrnoon tide. In that case the reception at Nelson would have to take place on Wednesday. JOTTINGS. There arc six Victoria Cross men among tho Indian troops, one of whom was decorated for heroic conduct at Tirah.

An interesting incident- occurred at Carterton. An elderly lady, who is crippled and scarcely able to walk, struggled to tho station with six dozen hard-

boiled eggs, which sho gave to the visitors, as an expression of her appreciation of the work that Indian troops had dona for the defence of the Empire. Ono of the visitors who will command his share of attention to-day is an cilice of the Fifth Goorkhas (dark green, black facings), very dark, sturdily built, and wearing a round cap with 6G. on tho shoulder. He was Lord Roberts’s orderly at Kandahar. In responding on behalf of the troops

with three cheers, the correct manner in which Jamardar I Tatar Singh pronounced vich names as Waipukurau and Eketahuna surprised not only the assembled settlers, but also the officials who travelled by the train. The complimentary luncheon given by the Napier Reception Committee at tho Masonic Hotel on Thursday last to tho Imperial officers of the Indian Contingent and the Ministry was attended by Captain Campbell (Bengal Lancers), Lieutenant Poccck (Bombay Infantry), the Eight Hon. R. J. Saddon, the Hons J. G. Ward and J. Carroll, Mr A. L. D. Fraser, M.H.R., Mr G. IT. Swan (Mayor), Mrs and Miss Scddon and Mrs Fraser. The toasts honoured were “The King,” “The Indian Troops” and “The Ministry.*’ When in Melbourne the members of the Indian contingent were most kindlytreated by the various theatrical. managers, who “passed” every man who prov- j cd himself to be a DaJhcaisie man. | Operas, plays and concerts were all fore- j gone, however, when a cinematograph ; entertainment was available. The moving pictures simply amazed the Indians, and even now they can talk of little else. ’ Mr Hordern, the first lieutenant of the Dalhousie, a fine officer and a very genial''gentleman, who supplied a representative of'this paper with particulars of the Royal Indian Marine Service and tho Dalhousie, is greatly impressed with tho colony, as indeed are all his fellowofficel'a. They express themselves as having had a glorious time, and are very anxious to hear of the Premier’s being successful in his application for an extension of their stay, in the colony. They particularly want to visit tho South Island, and see something of Christchurch and Dunedin. 1

Captain Staughton, a member of the Second Victorian Contingent to South Africa, is a guest of Captain Piffard, of the Dalhousie, during that vessel’s tour of New Zealand. Captain Staughton returned from South Africa with seven •wounds to his credit, and was recently (Tiered his majority to accompany the contingent just leaving Victoria for the front.

Mr Moore, of tho Missions to Seamen, has arranged to entertain thirty members of .the crew of the Dalhousie and a number of the Indian contingent this evening. Tho Indian contingent is made up of Lieut.-Colonel Peyton (14th Bengal Lancers), Captain Campbell Clßth Bengal Lancers), Captain Henegan (10th Burmah Rifles), Lieutenant anjji. Adjutant Pccock (19fch Bombay Infantry), Major Scott (Indian Medical Service), 34 native officers, one hospital assistant, 66 Indian non-commissioned officers (rank and file), 34 public followers,-432 private followers (or native officers’ servants), and fire private followers (British officers’ servants).