H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 12, 21 September 1910, Page 2

H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught.

The Next Governor-General of Canada,

z'jX URING the minority of the Prince I B of Wales, heir apparent to the / throne, the Duke of Connaught N>—is destined to take a conspicuous place in public duties and ceremonials. Already he has been named successor to Earl (Dey 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. Like his brother, tin* late King Edward, he has tact and capacity and industry that would fit him for any position. Finm the dnv—fortv-two voars ago—-

when he entered the Royal Engineers he has worked at his profession not as dilettanti*, but as a serious and practical soldier. Tin* record of his services is in itself a proof, lie passed through every branch of the army —from sapper to gunner. fioni infantry to cavalry. He commanded the guards at Tel-el-Kebir in the Sudan campaign of 1882, and shared with the Duke of Cambridge the distinction of a Royal Prince who had been under lire. Twice he has hold a command in India, twice in England, and once in Ireland. Perhaps the severest test of his military capacity was made in India, whore he remained for six years. The first three years wen* spent in Bengal with the rank of major general and the last three in command of the Bombay army. Only a man who is a horn soldier and a hard and conscientious worker can control a great In-

dian military The Duke of Connaught in those years established his military reputation on a firm 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 share with his comrades the risks of war in South Africa. But Queen Victoria was adamant, and her widowed daughter, Princess Henry of Battenberg, was at hand to remind her that death knocks at the door of the palace as well as at tiie door of the cottage.

A strict disciplinarian and a diligent officer, the Duke of Gon naught commands the respect of soldiers, while his good nature and his sense of humour win their affection. Only of a commander with these human qualities could be told this anecdote for which hij Royal Highness is the authority. A young ."iiballcrn putting a company of infantry through their drill managed to get them into a terrible muddle. Tho Duke who was watching the (*ff<>rl, called the subaltern to him and asked, “Have you any idea what your men are supposed to be doing?*’ The boy saluted and rep-lied, with a confiding smile, ’•‘Not the slightest, sir. Have you?’’ Tho"** anecdotes indicate characteristics that will appeal to Canadians, who, while they love a Governor-General who

is royal, delight especially ill one that can unbend and divest himself of ceremonial. And the Duke of Connaught can do both, for though born in the pm |>le he has little taste for its formalities, ami knows the virtue of camaraderie. No Governor General, we venture to predict, will prove more popular or more eilicient in the discharge of his oll’u ial and social duties. These qualities will commend him to the people of-South Afii a. also. His visit, it is true, will •be one of ceremony, for it marks a new epoch in the new Dominion. Blit his Koval Highness will give to the ceremony an intimate personal note. A great traveller, he has by instinct and experience the sy-tcinat iu understanding that puts him at once into harmony with his surroundings. No one can feel long a stranger in his presence or can withhold his innermost confidence. And he has, too, that broad and imperial outlook which is a gift of temperament ami of travel. Many'people have perhaps forgotten the sacrifice he made in order to retain the nationality which is his pride. Without hesitation he gave up his claim to the Grand Duchy of SaxeCoburg and left to his nephew the Duke of Albany the honours and cniohinionls of this great position. Another qualification the Duke of Connaught has to commend him to Canadians and South Africans as well ns to Britons in every part of the world. He is a famous sportsman. As everybody knows, he has lately returned from East Africa, where lor the second time he appeared as a hunter of big game. Nothing gives him greater pleasure than these visits to the wilds in search of adventure, and his delight, ns well as his success, is shared by the Duchess of Connaught, who is a keen sportswoman and a splendid shot. If a Prince of the Royal House had the liberty of a private individual his Royal Highness would have limited his activities to sport and soldiering, for in these he recognises his true metier. But the conditions of his birth have imposed upon him duties in other spheres, and in the discharge of these duties he has displayed conspicuous abilities and unselfish* patriotism. stronger proof of these qualities and of his active temperament could be found than in his resignation of the Mediterranean command. At Malta lie had a sinecure to which were attached both dignity and emolument, ami he had the conscience and courage to abandon it and to give his reasons. This bold has confirmed the popular judgment of his character and has strengthened his reputation in the Army. Like his nephew Kirhg George, the Duke of Connaught is devoted to his home ami his family, and loves to have his (hildren about him. Tn the Duchess he has a real comrade, eager to share his pursuits and his travels. A daughter of the *‘Red Prince*'- the hero of Koniggratz Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia was married at the age of nineteen, and since the year 1879. when she came to England, has established herself In the esteem of the people. Whether at P.agMiot Park or at Clarence House, sin- takes keen interest in everything that roneerns the welfare of tenant or neighbour. Prince Arthur of (lon naught, their only -on. follows the profession of arms like his father. Princess Margaret, their eldest daughter, is Hie wife of the Crown Prime of Sweden, ami is destined to occupy a throne, while Primers Victoria Patricia continues to he the constant companion of the Duke and Duche-s, Loth at home and abroad.