INDIAN VILLAGERS REWARDED.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20100, 2 December 1930, Page 13

INDIAN VILLAGERS REWARDED.

RESISTANCE TO AFGHAN TRIBES. Writing from India, Flying-Officer Arnold Wall, U.A.F., formerly o' Christchurch, and now stationed at Kohat, gires the following description of proceedings after the operations in the Kurram Valley during the disturbances there some time ago: "After the conclusion of operations in the Kurram • Valley, •in . wnieh tho;

Royal Air Force played so important a part, and by which the threat to lYshawar was removed, the villagers and local militia of tho valley, who had kept out the Afghan tribes, were given remission of a year's taxes and a month's pay respectively, with some decorations also. , This was done at a Durbar held in October at Parachinar, where the'' District Commissioner, the Political Agent, and chiefs of the village delivered speeches, a body o! 1;ova 1 Air Force machines flying over as a demonstration. "After the speeches each man received his money in a little velvet purse, and then there was a marchpast, one village at a time. Tho march is described as most moving and impressive, 'old men with snowy beards, middle-aged warriors, and tiny boys, streamed pait, each with a service

rifle, bandolier, find Waziri knife. These mountain villagers are the most simple and lovable folk; honest as daylight, and with a very ke-en sense of humour, very hospitable, and -the toughest fighting men there are.' ' The photograph which appears on the illustrations page of this issue of The I'kess was taken by Flying-Officer Wall, who took part in the operations.