AN INTERESTING PARADE.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 September 1917, Page 1

AN INTERESTING PARADE.

THE DI KE OE CONNAUGHT AND THE- VICTORS OF AIESSINES. | From Afaleolm Ross, correspondent with the New Zealand forces in tin* Field.l In the square of an old Flemish town behind the lines, a day or two ago, was a parade of Imperial troops in connection with the. visit of 11.R.H. The Duke of Connaught to the Corps under which the New Zea|andei'« fought in the Battle of Alessines. There was a special muster of the New Zealand Rille Bd.igade, of which the Duke is Coloiml-in-chief. In addition, other troops ol all arms were represented in the parade. The square was bright with hunting in which the flag of England, the I ricolour. and the Belgian (lag were prominent. From every window of the shops and houses around the square soldiers and civilians watched the ceremony. The red_eapes of British nurses made a splash of colour in the drab background oi khaki. Grouped at one side "of the square were the trophies from the battleground of Alessines- — field and machine-guns and other weapons that tin* Germans had left behind them in their flight.

The Duke* accompanied by General Blmner of the Second Army and On-era-1 Comanding the Corps, was received with a. Royal Salute as he reached the saluting base. Then accompanied i, v Rio Army and Corps Commanders and the Divisional Generals, he made a close inspection ol the troops, ihe officers on parade with the troops were introduced to him, and each was greeted will a hearty handshake. Above, the patrol of ’planes Hew at, varying altitudes, and looking up wo watched their graceful ('volutions. Still higher, to invisible heights of 10,000 and 17,000 feel, had climbed tile tripanes. The precaution was necessary for the parade was within easy reach of the. German bombers. Indeed, the inspection was scarcely over, when the the white puffs of bursting shells of our anti-aircraft guns could he seen high above oil the outskirts of the town. But i In* massed hands played bright: music, and tin* ceremony went on as quietly as if it- wore being held in an English ftelil beyond the reach of the war's alarms.

The- inspection over, three rousing cheers were given for King George. His Royal Highness then returned to the saluting base and the .troops marched past in columns of route, the New Zealand Rifles leading. Afterwards the Duke met a number of Brigadiers and staff officers, and the civic authorities of the town, with whom he chatted for a few minutes before proceeding along the front to other scenes

To the New Zealanders the day was one of special interest, for it was the first occasion upon which the Rifles had seen tlieir Colonel-in-Chief. It was particularly fitting that they should meet thus oil the battlefields of France, and at a time when they were fresh from their part in the defeat of the enemy in the Battle of Alessjnes.