THE IMPERIAL TROOPS

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 34, 9 February 1901, Page 2

THE IMPERIAL TROOPS

THEIR STAY IN NEW ZEALAND.

ADDITIONAL FOUR DAYS ASKED FOR,

[By Telegraph—Press Association.] Wellington, last night. Tho Premier has cabled to tho Imporial authorities asking them to extend the visit of tho Imperial troops to New Zealand so as to enable them to visit Rotorua.

This will mean an additional four days, and will givo both officers and men some rest boforo starting on tho liomoward voyage.

RECEPTION AT CHRISTCHURCH. AN ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME. LARGEST CROWD EVER SEEN. [By Telegraph—Press Association.] Christchurch, last night. Tlioro was beautiful weather to-day for tho reception of tho Imporial troops, and tho largest crowd over seen in Christchurch assembled. The line of March from tho railway station through tho town to Hagley Park was densely thronged, and an enormous crowd assembled in the Park to witness tho review. A close half-holiday was observed, and tho town was gay with bunting. Nearly a thousand Canterbury voluntoors took part in the march, and assisted to koop tho ground clear. At tho Park tho visiting cavalry wero provided with horsos, and made a fiuo display. Aftor the review' the officors wore entertained at luncheon in tho Canterbury Hall in tho Exhibition Buildings, and luncheon was provided for the men at one of tho annexes.

Tho Mayor of Christchurch, Mr W. Rooco, presided at tho officers’ luncheon, and tho Mayor of Lyttelton, Mr T. C. Fiold, at that givon to the men. Tho Hon. J. G. Ward and Colonel Polc-Pcnton woro among tlioso prosont at tho officers’ luncheon.

Sir John Hall proposed tho toast of “ His Excellency’s advisers,” roforring to tho part tho Government had takon in bringing about tho visit of tho Imporial troops, and in sending troops to South Africa. Mr Ward responded, and tho Mayor of Christchurch proposed tho health of Colonel Wyndham, who in reply said that officers and men keenly appreciated their treatment in New Zealand. All tho way along they admired the colonial mounted corps, aud at ali towns they had passed through they had boon escorted by fine good-looking fellows, mounted on fine serviceable horsos, and they know that behind those men there wero thousands more.

At luncheon to tho men, Bandmaster Evans, of the Highland Light Infantry, responded to tho toast of “ Non-commis-sioned Officers and Imperial Troops,” expressing appreciation of the troatmont received. At his invitation, tho men gave hearty cheers for tho Mayors and citizens of Christchurch and Lyttelton. Shortly after six o’clock, the troops fell in, and marched to tho railway - station, where they entrained for Lyttelton. The route of march was crowded, and every point of vantago was utilised to got a view of the .departing visitors. The Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry, acted as an advance-guard, and tho Garrison Band played en route. All along tho route and at the railway-station, tho troops woro loudly cheered, and as the troop-train moved off, the men gavo hearty cheers for their Christchurch entertainers. Tho mounted men were highly pleased at tho manner in which they had been horsed. The horses wore found for thorn in Christchurch, and wore greatly suporior in stamp to those which wore supplied to them in Australia. Nearly all of them wero well educated and easy to handle, while a good many of the horses supplied to them in Sydney were weedy and illmannered, and, in some instances, almost unbroken.