THE NORTH-WEST FRONTIER

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 318, 6 July 1912, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE NORTH-WEST FRONTIER

A NEW ZEALAND OFFICER'S EXPERIENCES. I After nine months' absence from New Zealand Captain H. R. Potter, who was formerly Deputy Assistant AdjutantGeneral of the Auckland district staff, and, more recently. Assistant AdjutantGeneral for tiie Canterbury military district, has returned to the Dominion and is now in Auckland (says the Star). Captain Potter was one of the three New Zealand officers who were ordered to India to be attached to the Indian army for the purposes of instruction. For the first three months of his sojourn on India's coral strand he was attached to the First Battalion Connaught Rangers (the 88th), and was stationed at Ferozepore. Afterwards he was ordered to join the Baimu Brigade on the troublous north-west frontier, where he spent another three months. As is well known, this frontier is one of the most knotty problems that the, defence authorities in India are called upon to deal with. It is notorious for the raids made by the hill tribes into British territory. 'They are past masters as far as looting and sacking are concerned, and make a dash upon any likely quarter wherever an opportunity presents itself. So persistent are their depredations, indeed, that a mounted squadron is always kept in readiness to go in hot pursuit of the marauders. While Captain Potter was attached to the Bannu Brigade he participated in one of these chases, but the plunderers, aided by the darkness, eventually made their escape to their mountain fastnesses. While be was in India Captain Potter took the opportunity of visiting the scene of the siege of Delhi,, where the monuments to the British soldiers who gave their lives for their country are still jealously guarded. He also visited the historic' battlefields of the Sikh wars in the Punjaub, as well as the valley on the Afghanistan frontier, where the Toehi field force came into close touch with the enemy and left many of their numbers dead upon the field of action. Captain Potter speaks very highly of the native troops, who, he says, have the greatest admiration for their white officers. In order that this prestige may be maintained only the most capable officers are selected to command the native regiments. The regiment to which Captain Potter was attached was present at the Delhi Durbar, and was one of the seven regiments which was presented with the colors by the King. One, feature which struck Captain Potter very forcibly was the keenness of the Indian officers, and, on the, invitation of General O'Donnell, in command of the brigade, he had the opportunity of delivering a lpcture dealing with New Zealand and its forces. During his stay in India Captain Potter passed his practical examination for the rank of major.