THE DELHI DURBAR.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9639, 14 January 1903, Page 1

THE DELHI DURBAR.

MORE ABOU'fTHE GREAT ENCAMPMENT. Along the avenues of tents( says a corirespondent to the Englishman) numerous lamp-posts of the most portable character) have been put up, thus the extent of the camp is clearly defined by twinkling lights. Native bazaars are erected on sides of the roads and are doing a roaring trade. The canteen is represented 'by t -.arts with hogsheads, of beer. In the 1,/teJligence Department maps of the manoeu Trre grounds are m evidence printed on L^- 11 ' not unlike an illustrated pocket ■ handkv whief. The horses were also picketed bet\. "^J I rows of tent*-. The guns were also' l>la ce d between the tent* of the artiller vanen. The whole impression one gained* . **«« * quiet wander through the camp w '** that of » light mobile force ready tt* owve at an hour's notice, capable of . & movement, and thoroughly well etji tipped- The speed of movement of the % .wutiUern army should be an interesting feature of the coming manoeuvres. In re twining, darkness had set m, and with it • ose tihe inevitable mist, which, mingling* AV^ t ? MJ c^ ouds of road dust, formed &"* fo# thicker even than a London one. No m e of tlie vehicles' carried lights, and m this dense traffic collisions were frequent and inevitable. We ran into a steam roller v, 'liich had bi?eu abandoned m the centre of . v ie road without either guard or lights. Several units of cavalry liave to pass there. LORD NORTMOOTE'S GAMP. Lord Northcote's camp diffe ts from all others inasmuch that its designs a.', Captain Boilleau, has recognised the fact t.^at the mornings and evenings of the DeJIuV winter are distinctly cold. His first consideration has been the comfort and he^th of Lord NortJicote's guests. l.*J>e SU.'*^ tents, the largest on the Durbar grounoA are fitted witli fireplaces. The numerous openings from tins group of tents are fitted with wood framework, m wliicli are placed glass doors. The tents have not only the ordinary wood flooring, "but this m turn is covered by a second floor of neatly finished and planed deal, made m sections m Bombay to exactly fit the tent. Each of the guests' bedrooms is also provided with a fireplace. The large bedroom tents are by convenient drawings divided into bedroom, ' sitting-room, dressing and bath room. The camp is pitched next to the Commander-in-Chiefs camp, and adjacent to I^rd headquarters. 'The entra.nce is by a 30ft wide carriage drive, which sweeps round a spacious lawn 60Qft by 150 ft m the centre of which is U'is Excellency's flagstaff. The borders of this are lined with choice shrubs m pots , while nuiner•ous flower-beds ore distributed over the Jawn. At the edge of thj s a canopy 30ft ■by 30ft stretches across /.he roadway to the reception room, 76ft by 57ft, draped with Indian art fabrics, Home 5000 yards m all, of gold and crimson. The poles will be of white ivory, relieved by numerous bosses of gold, the floor will be covered with cloth of the deepest crimson. In connection wrlth thw is the large •dmmg tent, of the same size and similarly decorated, capable of dining 200 guests. he electric light has been, freely introsluced. Prom the dining ivent numerous passages lead to a ladies* drawing-room, and to a smoke-room, while this m turn gives access to a commodious billiard tent, fitted with a full-size W ntts' table— the only billiard table m th is vast city of tents. The stableyard behind is capiS. illy arranged on the. four sidfcs of a capi wious square ; theap. are commodious mi » neatly arranged. . .j —^^— f