IMPERIAL TROOPS AT WELLINGTON.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 11 February 1901, Page 4

IMPERIAL TROOPS AT WELLINGTON.

(per press association.) Wellington, February 11. The Imperial troops arrived yesterday morning, and iu the afternoon marched through the city in the company of 2000 Volunteers. The leather was very fine, and the line of march was lined by thousands of people. The visiting mounted men were all horsed and made a great display, the Life Guards being particularly admired. The Regular marching of the Imperial troops who moved with even swing, was the subject of general admiration, being in marked contrast to the step of some of the Volunteer corps. A great crowd of people had assembled in the Basin Reserve, and when the troops arrived on the scene they met with loud cheers. The companies were drawn up in square, and were addressed by the Mayor, who welcomed the visitors to the city, and by the Hon E. J. Soddon, the latter making special reference to the death of the Queen, and expressing the opinion that one result of the war in South Africa would be to put the army on a better footing than heretofore. Mr Seddon further deprecated the practice of making comparisons between the Imperial and colonial forces, remarking that those who did so were enemies of the country and the Empire, He remarked that it might be necessary to send away a seventh contingent, but he did not care how many contingents were despatched. The more men that were sent the sooner would they all be home again, Colonel Wyndham, at the conclusion of the address, called upon his troops to give three cheers for the people of this colony and the Premier, which met with a hearty response.

The procession then reformed, and the British troops marched back to the Britannic at the wharf.

They were later on liberated on furlough till midnight, and were entertained at dinner by the citizens, the officers being made welcome at the Wellington Club, To-day the men remained on the troopship until mid-day, when they were allowed ashore again.