The Maori Troops.

Hastings Standard, Issue 380, 23 July 1897, Page 3

The Maori Troops.

! AN INTERESTING BAND. ! J The London Daily News, in an inj tevesting article descriptive of the j Maoris' surival says: —A good deal of ! interest will naturally be felt in those ! Maoris, for this is ihe first large bouy | of this famous fighting race which has ever set foot in England. They represent probably the most warlike and ! stubborn race of barbarians Great j Britain has ever had to fight, and these men are sons of the fathers who did their share of the fighting in earlier and less happy days for the colony. Moreover, not only were their fighting powers altogether exceptional, but their courage was as undoubted as their might, and successes attended them even against our arms, for they inflicted upon us perhaps the most serious defeats that have ever been experienced by our men at the hands of savages since the famous action during the old American war, wheu General C'raddock's men were overwhelmed by the Indians. The interesting band of Maoris who are now at Chelsea Barracks are linely-built fellows, averaging about Aft lOin in height, and from twelve to thirteen stone in weight, and possess a remarkable muscular development, especially in the lower limbs, which differentiates them from most other colored races. In color and in general appearance they remind one of the •Japanese, only of course the height is much greater, and they would appear almost giants in a Japanese gathering. Their views of the power of the Queen are interesting and amusing. They left Now Zealand full of the belief that the Queen rules the world. This belief led to some humorous fellow-voyagers endeavoring to extract some fun during the journey. Arrived at the Straits of Magellan it was j explained to them that they could I see land which the Queen did not own. They were surprised, they seemed to doubt the statement, but were assured of its accuracy. Well, they took a glance at the country, noted the glaciers and the precipices surrounding the Straits, and, this survey over, their curt and contemptuous comment was : " Of course —not good enough." And the humorous interlocutors subsided. They had got very little change out of the Maoris so far. Later the ship arrived at Monte Video, and here their faith in the complete sovereignty of the Queen over the dominions of the world was again tested. The answer previously given would not do in this case, for the land the Queen did not own here was pointed out to be good country, well worth having. But the retort was equally good, " Then the Queen should come and take it at once." Emphati-c-silly her Majesty's loyal Maoris are not "L'ttle Englanders." Two of the warriors have the special charge of the sword of the famous Maori chief, Henari Tomoana, who fought loyally on our side in the old wars, and who was presented with a sword sent out to him by liei 1 Majesty, and which bears the inscription : " It comes from Queen Victoria to Henari Tomoana for his valour and loyalty.'' The two warriors who have charge of this sword are nephews of the old chief. He has given them this sword of honor to bring home to England, " to cherish as the apple of their eye,and never to let another man | lay hands on it." And they are to carry it on Jubilee day in the procession. It may be taken as a certain thing that they will faithfully carry out their mission. By the courtesy of the captain of I the ship on which they voyaged, the J contingent were able, the weather i being all the time magnificent, to drill 011 deck once and usually twice every day. Yesterday they drilled on arrival, and were then taken by special train to Liverpool-street. There they formed up on the platform, greatly interesting a large crowd of persons gathered there. Their commander j called for three cheers for the AgentGeneral for New Zealand, and they gave them with fine enthusiasm. I Then they marched to Chelsea Barracks, where they are quartered. All the men arc. volunteers pure and simple, and unpaid.