THE INDIAN TROOPS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 9071, 13 February 1901, Page 3

THE INDIAN TROOPS.

(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. Seventy of the Indian Contingent were taken for an excursion to Lake Takapuno, and were hospitably entertained at the residence of Mr H. Brett. The scene on the lawn was very brilliant, the bright green sward, flanked by patterres of flowers, forming a picturesque background for the magnificent uniforms, decorated with Eastern profusion. - Before the guests left, Major Misirikhan. senior officer of the Indians, thanked Mr Brett. He said the visitors had never seen a prettier place than the Lake. Three cheers for Mr Brett were heartily given. The Indian "Soldiers of the Queen" received a hearty reception at Auckland on Monday. The scene on the vessel was most interesting, the brilliant uniforms of the soldiers lending a blaze of color to the sombre surroundings. The trops, m tho ; r turbans and gorgeous uniforms of blue, red, green, grey, and, indeed, of almost every color of the rainbow, lined the starboard side of the boat, the bright colors mingling into a harmonious picture. In all 62 different regiments are represented.. Some of the men are clad m khaki, but '"the majority m more showy uniforms, red, blue, and light green being the predominating colors. After the Dalhousie had berthed, it was decided that a large shed at the end of the wharf should be used as a barrack-room for the men, and a spot m the vicinity as a cooking ground, the Indians doing all their own cooking. The wharf is barricaded so as to exclude the public. Colonel Peyton said the Indians would be perfectly, content if they were allowed to wander round and see the city for themselves. H© readily agreed* : however, to the suggestion that the troops should be taken for a harbor excursion to-morrow, and arrangements to that end are being made. The Indian troops will not parade for review until the arrival of the Imperial Contingent. The officers of the contingent all have native servants, there being a total of 72 camp followers. Many of the men speak English, and a good' number of the many languages of India are spoken aboard. There are m the Indian Contingent 100 officers and non-commissioned offi--1 cers, 52 of whom belong to cavalry and 48 to infantry regiments. Sixty regiments m all are represented. .No privates accompany the contingent, but etush man has his own native servant Among the native officers is Colonel 1 Dadbha, a fine officer of great attam- : ments, an accomplished linguist-, and a ' relative of Prince Ranjit Sinhji; Major > Jangi Thapa, one of the "little green i Ghurkhas," years numerous medals for ■ different campaigns, including that for ■ Afghanistan m 1879, m which he was j "> orderly officer to Lord Roberts. Subah-

[ dar Gurdad Singh, of the 15th Sikhs, is I another distinguished officer. ! Thny will make a tour of the whole ' colony, as the Imperial troops did, but i their' entertainment must perforce be re- ! Btricted to sight-seeing, as caste observances prevent them partaking of feasts prepared by Christian hands.