THE ROAD TO MANDALAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16625, 6 January 1922, Page 8

THE ROAD TO MANDALAY.

PRINCE CORDIALLY RECEIVED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received January 6, 2.10 p.m.) DELHI, January 5. The Prince of Wales arrived at Mandalay, and received a most hearty and loyal welcome. The road to Mandalay proved a pleasant road, through a friendly country, with smiling faces everywhere, showing that the poison of the Indian sedition and political unrest had not touched the heart of Burma. The long, dusty journey was performed in a light, almost toylike, narrow gauge train, which swayed and jolted like a ship in a heavy sea. Every station was artistically* decorated, and crowds of country people, in their picturesque holiday dress, cheered and showed genuine enthusiasm. Each station was like a section of a rainbow enclosed in a framework. Burmese Bo3' Scouts with their flags, and ladies carefully powdered, coiffured and bejewelled, and smoking heavy cigars, were much in evidence. None of the Prince’s journeys has had greater interest or revealed a more sincere enthusiasm. Mandalay itself was gaily decorated, and the Prince was welcomed by a gathering of notables, including the Shan chiefs and their ladies, gorgeously and fantastically costumed, many of whom had travelled hundreds of miles to participate in the welcome, and were anxious to show their loyalty to the Empire.

The Prince returns to Rangoon on Saturdav.