DUKE OF CONNAUGHT.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14321, 11 October 1910, Page 2

DUKE OF CONNAUGHT.

HIS COMING VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA. During the minority of the Duke or Cornwall, heir apparent to the throne, the Duke of Connaught is destined to take a conspicuous place in public duties and ceremonials. Already lie has been named successor to Earl Grey as Governor-General of Canada and as representative of the King at the opening of the first Federal Parliament in South Africa.

For both these tasks the Duke of Connaught is admirably equipped 'by nature and by training. L..K6 his brother the late King iidward he has tact and capacity- and industry thatwould tit; him for any position. A correspondent in Ottawa recently hinted that the duties of the Viceroy in Canada were more onerous than ornamental. Had he known the Duke of Connaught he would not have felt, it necessary to utter this -warning, for his Royal Highness has shown in a long and busy career that he is no idler and has no ambition to occupy a sinecure.

From tlie day—forty-two years ago —when he entered the Koyal Kngineers ho has worked at his profession not as a dilettante but as a serious and practical soldier. The record of his services is in. itself a, proof. He passed through every branch of the Army—•from sapper to gunner, from infantry to cavalry. He commanded the Guards at Tel-el-Kebir in the Soudan campaign of 188:2, and shared with the Duke 01 Cambridge the distinction of a Koyal i'rinee who had beea under lire. Twice he held a command in India, twice in Knglund, and once m Ireland. Perhaps the severest test of his military capacity was made in India, u hero lie ieiiiaini'l for six years. The lirst three years were .-pent in Bengal with the rank nf major-general and the last three in command of the Bombay army. Only a man who is a born soldier and a hard and conscientious worker can control a great Indian mihtary district. The Duke of Com naught m these years established his military reputation on a iirm basis and confirmed the impression which the people had already formed of his earnestness and capacity. Those who imagine that no disabilities attach to royalty know nothing of the Duke of Connaught's bitter disappointment when he was forbidden to -hare with his comrades the risks of war in South Africa. Hut Victoria was adamant, and her widowed daughter, I'niicess Henry of Hactonhurg. was at hand to remind her that death knocks at the doov of the pala'-c as well as at the door of the cottage. A sira-t disciplinarian arid a diligent officer, the Duke of Connaught commands the respect of soldiers, while h-s god nature and his sens.-; of humour win their affection. Only of a commander v. it h these human qualities could lie told this anecdote- for which his Royal Highness is the authority. A young subaltern putting a company <> ; infantry through their drill manage 1 to get. them into a terrible, muddle. Tho Duke, who as watching tho effort, called the subaltern to him and aske.i

"Have you any idea what your men arc supposed to bo doing?" The hoy saluted and replied, with a confiding smile. '• \„i. tho slightest, sir. Have yon?" Then; is also the story thai, illustrates both his Irumotir and one of the difficulties of his position. It •- related that at a reception at tin; Hoiso Guards the Duke asked an officer who had been presented what he wanted. "Nothing, thank you, sir." was the modest, reply. "iNly clear sir." exclaimed his Hoyal' Highness, shakinc the astonished officer vigorouslv bv the band. "1 am really gh,d to meet" vou. If is a long time since T met an Annv office,- uho wanted nothing." Tic -e anecdotes mdicaUr characie-'s--1 ':■-. that will appeal lo Canadians, who while tbev hue ;, Guveruor-CJeuera! who is royal, delight es]>ecially in one licit can unbend and divest himself of ceremonial. Am! the Duke of C'onuaui/iit can do both, for though born mi the mii-ple ho has little taste for its loi-mahlies and_knows the virtue of camaraderie. Xn Governor-General, wo venture to predict, will prove more popular or inure efficient, in the discharge of his official and social duties Thes- qualities will commend him -.o the peoole of South Africa aHo