WITH THE ROYAL FAMILY

Chronicle (Levin), 12 March 1947, Page 5

WITH THE ROYAL FAMILY

Press Assn.-

Spectacular Display By Native Horsemen ORANGE FREE STATE BOYCOTT

T2v Telearavh

-Copyright

Received Wednesdav. 11.10 a.m. CAPETOWN, March 11. More than 10,000 native _ horsemen escorted their Mamsties into Basutoland in the most spectacular show yet of the Royal tour. says the Associated Press' correspondent on the Royal train. The horsemen rode into Maseru from farms, mines and huts during the night and sunrise revealed hundreds of camps set up around the town where they danced, chanted, and wheeled about on their mounts, waving ■ n^ars, clubs and shields for hours before the Royal party arrived. The horsemen wore tribal headgear and ostrich feathers, in fact everything decorative. The climax came after their Maiesties left th° marquee where they were welcomcd and motored to the High Commissioner's residence where the massed horsemen swung into line behind the Royal cars, making a thunderous escort outstripping most of Hollywood's efforts. Sornetimes they rode as many as 40 and 50 abreast. whooning exultantly. The local Member of Parliament and of Provincial Council in the heart of the Diehard Nationalist area, Bethlehem, in Orange Free State, bdycotted the Royal visit. reports Reuter's correspondent. Nevertheless the reception of the Rcyal Family received in the town was most enthusiastic. Their Majesties inspected and chatted with veterans of the siege of Ladysmith who naraded. A native chnir at Kroonstad earlier delighted the Queen by singing "Loch Lcmond" to her in English.