AN EXCITING SCENE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 688, 6 May 1879, Page 2

AN EXCITING SCENE.

A special feature at the sailing of the France and the portion of the 17th Lancers which- she carries to Natal was the presence of. the band of. the 18th Hussars, from Woolwich. ° TK4 band and nearly ad^he 1 officers' of the same 1 regiment were on board the Lotus, a river steamer, , and .a ,^atri6ti<j r music seemed to kindle additional-enthusiasm^ both among the- outward-bound; troops; on board and^the^crpw.d^on^the wjiarvea. , A local band csomposea of men employed. 1 ' m the coal derricks, was 'ittlsb afloat m a steam tug, and we/nfc. , part |of the way with the ship, the Lotus accompanying until she reached Gravesehdi' J lt was three o'clock until before\the;Fj?ance got , out of the docks, and just. aSjShe began i to move through the gate's, the Btraiuß of theNational Anthem, it 'happened by a singular coincidence; ./.thatbi-^thg sun,' which had beeniconeealed-all day, burgt with a glow through, -the clouds, the snow and the east wind ceadedj(and the scene became one of the wildest excitement and animation, v Guns fired salutes, the soldiers and the people cheered with all their might, flags waved from ships and housetops, and mutual farewells were signalled by flying handkerchiefs between the vessel and those she left behind. Passing the Warspite and the other training ships, the greeting accorded to the preceding ships were shouted to the . .Lancers by the sailor boys, and the ship being expected, crowds of people assembled at Woolwich, Erith, and other places to see her pass and send a parting cheer. The France, having but three hours' daylight, did not proceed farther than Gravesend, taking m her powder from the. barge, lashed alongside, and she sailed early next morning. The trooper^ take their lances with them, but, as they have been provided with carbines, they will probably place their ordinary weapons m store when they reach Natal. v