AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

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

AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

The Indian troops (escorted by the Heretannga Mounted Rifles) then proceeded to Government House, where they were welcomed by his Excellency the Governor, who examined with great interest the medals with which the breasts of several members of the contingent were decorated. Lord Ranfuriy then, from the steps of Government House, addressed them. It was, he said, a very great pleasure to him to extend to them a most cordial welcome, to New He regretted exceedingly not being' able to do anything more than address -a lew kind words to them. This was owing to a sad event which had lecently occurred—the death of their late most gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, of revered memory. Ho desired to express his,pleasure at their visit, and to welcome them to this distant part of the Empire. They were our brothers—brothers of the'Empire. They had bravely supported it in the past, ami, like brothers, Would fight for our Empire and our King in the future, if necessity arose. They had come a long distance to sec ns, and would witness many strange things, hut he was sure the people of the colony were glad to have them here, and would make their stay happy. He hoped they would enjoy their short stay amongst us, and carry back to India pleasant recollections of the country and the people they had seen and met.

The troops then formed fours and marched past, returning immediately to their ship.

THE. MISSIONS TO SEAMEN

There was a crowded attendance last evening at the hall ocupied by the Missions to Seamen, where the crew of the troopship Dalliousie, together with a large number of the Indian Contingent, were entertained with a brilliant limelight exhibition, given by Mr Barltrop. The Mission was honoured by a visit from Colonel Dadbha and other officers. The Colonel kindly acted as interpreter during a portion of the evening. in the course of some remarks he said the troops were much touched by the kiud-j ness shown them in New Zealand, lie led hia men in cheers for their enter-] Uainers. One of the most striking in-' i cidents of the dvening was the reception i of a photograph of the late Queen Vk-

toria. The men stood iu a body and in silence saluted, while the picture was on the screen. During the evening fruit, milk, biscuits and cake were handed round, and were much appreciated by tho visitors. Fruit, etc., was sent to the ship at the close of the entertainment. During tho evening vocal items and musical pieces were given by the Mesdames Thompson and Bethune and Miss Pederson.

JOTTINGS. Some thoughtful citizens have sent on to the Dalhousie for the Indian troops thirty or forty cases of fruit and a large quantity of aerated waters. , Last evening large numbers of people gathered on the wharf near the _ Dalhousie, hut few were able to gain admittance, and contented themselves with catching glimpses of the few Indians on board through the gratings at the lower gangways and through the roomy port-holes. The majority of the men visited one or other of the various places of amusement in town, _or the entertainment which was given in their honour, and in that of the seamen of the Dalhousie by the Missions to Seamen.

At tho entertainment of the Indian troops by the Missions to Seamen last evening,'Colonel Dadbha made accomplished interpreter. As ho had tc leave early, he transferred his duties to Rissaldar-Major Misiri Khan, who also proved very efficient in a similar capacity. Rissaldar-Major Sarfaraz Khan was also present. Twelve of thelndian soldiers in the room were ascertained to have served under Lord Roberts. FUTURE MOVEMENTS. The Dalhousie sailed hence for Nelson at, a quarter to one o’clock this morning. The troops will disembark at Nelson shortly after two o’clock today, and will take part in a, procession and remain in the town all night. On Wednesday they will he taken out to Richmond and will he entertained by tho people of that locality. The Dalhousie will leave ou Wednesday afternoon’s tide for Lyttelton. Disembarking at the latter place, the troops will proceed by train to Dunedin, and from Dunedin to Invfercargill. They will return to Dunedin on Saturday morning, remain there over Sunday, and leave for Christchurch on Monday. After remaining a day in Christchurch they will leave for Wellington, where the troopship toll coal prior to departing for Hobart and Adelaide.

SOME PERSONAL NOTES. Ressaldar Tylolce Singh, of the 11th Bengal Lancers, has seen 37 years service, and holds the gold star of the Order of British India. He was present at Ali Musiid, and served in the relief of Chitral, 1895, the Malakand campaign (under General Meiklejohn) 1897, and the Puniah frontier campaign of 1897-8, for all of which he received medals. Jemadar Mohan Singh, of the 37th Dogras, is another of the many who hold : the bronze medal for the march from Kabul to Kandahar. Ho has also the \ bronze medal and star for the Egyptian campaign of 1882, in which he served under Lord Kitchener, and the medal tor Tel-el-Kebir. His other decorations are the medals for Hazara 1891, Punjab Frontier 1897-1898, and the relief of Chitral 1895. Ini the last-named expedition Jemadar Mohan Singh served in General Low’s column. Subahdar Gan dip Sipgh, one of the smiling nnd genial officers of tlie 4tn Kashmir Rifles (Imperial Service Troops) has sixteen years’ service to his credit, and holds the star of India and the medal for tlie defence of diitral. Most of tne Kashmir Rifles are half-hrothers to the Gurkhas, and the 400 odd who were shut up in Chitral gave as good an account of themselves as if they had been Gurkhas. Subahdar Gandip Singh also received the medal struck by the Maharajah of Kashmir in honour of the gallant work done by his Imperial service troops in the twins live weeks at Chitral. Havildar Sant Singh, a slim, handsome officer of the sth Kashmir Infantry, was also in the fort at Chitral, and holds the decorations for its defence. . A sturdy, short, thick-set man dressed in dark green, with a thoughtful Mongolian oast of features, was the_ centre of considerable attraction. This was non© other than Snbahdar-Major Jansir Thana, Sirdar Bahadur, who' first figured prominently as one of the two faithful Gurkha orderlies who attended Lord Roberts in Afghanistan, and has since risen, to the great satisfaction of his chief, to the highest native rank. This modest and reticent soldier prides_ himself on being a Khas Gurkha,_ and is not at all demonstrative in telling of the deeds by which he won the eleven medals and clasns which decorate his breast. In fact. Major Thapa is singularly modest. and does not say much about himself. Among the honours of which he is justly proud are a sword presented to him by Lord Roberts and the star' of the order of British India. The medals he holds are for the march to Kandahar and for the fighting at Kabul, Kandahar, Oharasia. Peiwar Kotal. Waziristan 1894-95, Hunza 1891, Samana 1891, Hazara 1888, Burma 1885-87, Tirah 189<-98 and tha Punjab Frontier 1897-98. Ressaldar TMlawar Khan, of the Lth Bengal Lancers, holds the medal for Samana 1891Ressaldar Ram Singh, of the 9th ’'Cn-' gal Lancers (Hudson’s Horse),, has had his service divided between India and Africa, and holds the following medals ; —Egvnt, Tofrek, Suakim 1885, Tirah 1897-98. and the Punjab Frontier 189708. Havildar Punjab Singh, a Sikh of the -3rd Punjab Infantry, holds the following medals: Jowaki 1877-78, Kabul to Kandahar,' Kabul. ' Kandahar, Hazara 1888, Samana 1891. Waziristan 1894-95, Samana 1897, Tirah. 7 ,1897-98, Punjab Frontier 1897-98. " JJahadnr. is a. veteran of the Queen’s Own Corps of Guides. Ho is a man of giant stature, and decidedly Afghan {ippearance, remarkably affable, but reticent in speaking of the many brave deeds recorded to his honour. Serving under General Low in the Malakand, he led a magnificent charge at the head bf fifty men | against 2000 of the enemy. He ac- j counted for five of the slain—two with his revolver and three by the sword—--and then fell with a frightful sabre gash j in his right knee. He is the possessor of the coveted star of India, given for distinguished service, and the medals of Jowaki (1877-78). Hazara (1891), Ali Musjid. Malakand (1897), Puniah Frontier and the Relief of Chitral (1895). He also wears the star of the Kabul to Kandahar march. One of the most interesting members of the Indian contingent is HessaldarMajor Misiri Khan, of the 18th Bengal Cavalry, and the most famous rider^in i India. His most treasured possession is a very fine silver-mounted hunting knife, presented by the Bang (then Prince of Wales'). Misiri Khan giving in return for the King’s gift the lance used:, by him on the occasion. The magnificent horsemanship of Misiri Khan had aroused the Kind’s admiration, and the graceful act on.the part of his Majesty was the result. Another valued possession of Misiri Khan is_ a finely chased j sword, presented to him- at the Delhi I sports of 1886 for his dexterity at tent- '! pegging. The handsome sword-belt - i which Misiri Khan wears was presented to him by Major-General Sir H. Brind, iK.C.B., for his magnificent horseman-

ship. Like other native*officers of the contingent, this great horseman is- a man of remarkable modesty, but shows, with pardonable pride, the gift of his Emperor. He was most anxious, so an 'interpreter informed a ‘Times” repre-. sentative, that his inquirer should know that the knife was given him by “the Prince of Wales, who is now King of England and Emperor of all India.” The knife, which has a blade of about 18 inches long, is a beautifully made weapon, encased in a sheath of leather, which also contains a knife and fork. Misiri Khan wears the Punjab Frontier, Samana and Tirah medals.

Ghulam Mohnmed, of the. 33rd - Punjab Infantry, is a man of magnificent physique and bearing, with a mark of one of his many fights in a deep scar on his chin. His honourable career dates from 1877, when be served in the Jowaki ext)edition. He has the star for the march to Kandahar, arid the medals for the fighting at Kabul and Kandahar. He also served’in the Hazara campaign of 1888, in Waziristan from 1894 to 1895, and Zanzibar from 1895 to 1896, receiving the medal for service in East Africa. Jemadar Kamaludin. of the Gover-nor-General’s Bodyguard, is a man of great stature, and carries well the magnificent uniform of his corps. Owing to the few opportunities afforded to members of Household regiments of seeing service, Jemadar Kamaludin has only one medal to be proud of—Burma (1885-1887). Subahdar Gurdatb Singh, of the 15th (Ludhiana) Sikhs, is another of the gigantic Sikhs. He has a long list of campaigns to his credit, covering Ahmed Khel, Suakim (1885), Relief of Chitral (1895), Tirah (1897-1898), Samana (1897), Punjab frontier (1897-1898). Among his decorations are the Egyptian star and the Indian Order of Merit, the latter being the most coveted honour open to the native regiments. Subahdar Gurdatli Singh’s squadron commander at present is a son of General Low, under whom the subahdar served in the Chitral campaign.