THE INDIAN CONTINGENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4291, 26 February 1901, Page 5

THE INDIAN CONTINGENT.

PROCESSION through; the CITY. A STIRRING SPECTACLE. Large numbers of people visited the troopship Dalhousie yesterday' morning. Ail aboard were making preparations for tho aftc moon’s procession. Ou cvor.y hand troopers and the servants of the officers could bo seen rubbing vigorously' at bridle bits, chains and buckles, overhauling saddles, and brushing up accoutrements. It was a scone of great animation. In addition to the bustle there was jabbering and chattering. on every side. The Hindus are optimists by disposition, and they' seem to enjoy life in their peculiar way' as much as their fellows the world over. Accompanied by Mr ,T. H. Evans, a recent arrival, and a fluent Indian linguist, a “Times” reporter made the rounds of the troopship. First of all ho went to tho galley. There business was in full swing. There were numerous steaming utensils, and the unoccupied flat surfaces were covered with flat cakes made with flour and water. Near by were a couple of men engaged iu manufacturing those eatables. First they mixed the flour and water into an elastic compound, and then threw them from hand to hand until they were perfectly flat. In this state they found the oven. That, and that alone, constitutes the sole food upon which a section of the natives, ordinarily, and by choice, subsist.

Near by were some assistants providing daintier faro. Fish were being cleaned and cut. up into delicate slices. Curry -was being manufactured, and one realised how widely tho real Indian curry differs from the material bearing that appellation which finds its way onto the local market. First of all. chillies and a variety of spices of all kinds are ground down into a vessel with an implement like a pestle. When mixed, water is applied, and when the ingredients become a kind of paste they are placed upon a slab, and an Indian spends an hour or more in rolling them with a stone. When the Avh'ole of tho particles have been subdued the mixture is ready for the stew-pan, from which a delicious curry eventually emerges. The higher caste ‘lndians resent the intrusion of strangers while they are engaged in eating, but the less exclusive—the sailors and servants —are not so -particular. These people seem to have no specified meal hours. They simply eat when they feel hungry. Tho curry-eaters mix that food with rice in a little basin. Forks and knives do not burden them'. It Js av strictly business negotiation between fingers and mouth. The curry and rice are deftly mixed into little balls before being eaten. Down below on the second deck are the sleeping places of the troops. The Indian has no concern with mattresses, bolsters and pillows. He simply throws himself down on a nig or other floorcovering, places a blanket over his body, and sleeps the sleep of the just. Through all tho stress and noise of preparation yesterday—all the shouting and running to and fro—silent fofijis lay there sleeping in sweet oblivion. Upon rising, the Indian rolls up his blanket, and places it in a satchel made for tho purpose, leaving the bare floor clear for pedestrian traffic. In the forecastle, tho deck hands sleep on lockers at ■night. In the day-time everything is cleared away.

The quarters in the Britannic, where the Imperial troops were herded, could not compare with those of the Dalhousie. ' In the latter ship everything is spotlessly clean, in accordance with the disposition and habits of those aboard, and the rules and regulations of the service, which are strictly adhered to. Inside and out, the Dalhousio is as spick and span as a royal yacht. Cleanliness is an article of the Indian faith ; it is a law for tho commonweal, which is never broken.

Tho courtesy of these people should bo of 1 educational value to many of our young New Zealanders. There is an case and grace about their comportment which, is eminently ingratiating, without losing a whit of dignity. Hero wo have “a gracious exterior,” or tho phrase is a misnomer. Here we have ‘ a sunny disposition” looking out from tho kindliest and most friendly eyes possible. It is hard to imagine that there are claws concealed beneath 'this velvet ; that behind these smiling languorous exteriors are concealed fiery, factions, untamable, lighting spirits. Yet it, is so, as some of the most brilliant pages of the Empire’s military history testify.

Wherever one went, and talked, o'iicers, troopers and servants all wished to impress upon ns that “Now Zealand is tho best.” It was suggested (through the interpreter) that it was not unnatural that being “off with the old love”— Australia —our visitors should be “on with tho new”—Maori! and. “Oh, no! It is not that,” was the reply. ‘‘lt is because the people have been so kind to us. The Australians, were only curious. They did not show their love for n; as your people have done. Dir Seddon has been full of attentions, to ns. and the New Zealanders, wherever we have gone, r.ud their names will bo written on onr hearts when we go away. We like your climate, and we like your people, and wo are sorry that we cannot stay longer to enjoy your kindness and your hospitality.” That was the text on which they all enlarged. Tuttle do they know to what they are indebted tor tho warmness of their welcome iu Now Zealand. Even if they were told they would not realise that here in this colony the European looks upon the Maori as a brother, respects him as a neighbour and reveres him tor his fighting qualities.

It is because the Indian is equally a son of the Empire with the Maori, and has the same stalwart proportions, pleasant demeanour, and inherent integrity of ' disposition, that wo as colonials, mindful of the past, and prophetic of the future, are prepared to welcome him with open arms. THE PARADE. Great interest was evinced by a largo crowd of people in the preparations for the procession made by the Indian troops. Those of them who were entitled to ride horses were the first to dc:i uniforms and come into the public view to make preparations. From that time onwards the populace enjoyed an unprecedented feast of colour. All tiio colours of the rainbow, and a good many to spare, were on view, adorning those representatives of India. The gayest of the local volunteer corps could not hold a candle to the visitors in this respect. Close upon 500 members of the local garrison appeared to take part in the procession in honour of the Indian troops, and, headed by the Heretaunaa Mounted Rifles, who were followed by the Napier Garrison Band, started the ■ march at about 3 o'clock. The streets were lined with people, all anxious for a view of the Indian representatives, and when these—headed by the Wellington Garrison Band—came along in their brilliant uniforms, with their well-pol-ished accoutrements blazing in the sun and their swords and lances throwing bright reflections, the populace broke out into spontaneous cheering, which was more nr less warmly taken up right along the lino of route. The streets were crowded with people, who were filled with admiration at the soldierly bearing of the troops—both, the cavalry cu horseback and the infantry afoot. Two soldiers known to local fame shared in the ovation. They wore Major Madocks and Captain Hughes, who accompanied the Commandant (Colonel Polo Penton) in the procession. The Hons J. G. Ward, W. C. Walker and C. H. Mills, with members of their families, took part in the demonstration. After the procession had gone over its appointed route the troops returned to the hand rotunda on Jervois quay, where the Volunteers formed a hollow square, with the Indian troops in the centre—the cynosure of all eyes. THE SPEECHES. The Mayor (Mr J. G. W. Aitkeu) delivered a short address welcoming the Indian troops to the capital of New Zoalana. We had, he said, only a handful of people here compared with the 240 or 300 millions of people Who inhabited India, but our welcome was none the less hearty and sincere for that reason. We recognised the Indian troops not only as representatives of the Empire, but also as brothers willing to fight side by side with the British soldiers in defence of the rights of that Empire. The Premier (Right Hon R. J. Seddon) also extended a hearty 1 welcome to Colonel Peyton and his troops. Ho saicl that during the last few months we had been making history very rapidly. Events had taken place which demonstrated to the world the strength and solidarity of the British Empire. Sufficient credit had not been given to the Indian Army for what it had done in the past in upholding the Empire in India. Many, like himself, had wondered how India, with all its teeming millions, had been maintained undermost difficult circumstances. ’When they -saw such representatives of the Indian Army as they laid before them, then they must admit that there was no further ground for wonderment. Indeed, they woukl have wondered' if it had been otherwise. It was pleasant to think that the Indian troops were with_ us determined to maintain the Empire and our glorious constitution. It was not generally known that the Indian troops who were visiting them were officers representing 100,000 men. We should feel indebted to the Indian Government for this honour, as wo were indebted to those who had come to represent the Indian Army hero in New Zealand. The conduct of the troops wherever they'had gone had been model and exemplary. Ho trusted that the result of the visit would be to help to bring into closer touch and unison the people of the distant parts of the Empire for the good of the world universal.

At the call of the Mayor, three cheers were given by the people and the Volunteers for the Indian troops. Lieutenant-Colonel Peyton called upon his troops for three cheers for the Premier, the Mayor and the citizens of Wellington, and the response was so well-timed andl hearty that a burst of spontaneous applause was wrung from the onlookers.

The Premier called for three cheers for the Viceroy of India and for the Indian Government for giving us the pleasure of having the Indian troops amongst us,” and again there was a vigorous response.