The Prince’s Visits

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1922, Page 2

The Prince’s Visits

PRINCE AT LAHORE. «T7STR\IJ4N AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOOIaItON. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) , DELHI, Feb. 27. The sight of the Prince of Wales riding slowly through thiusauds of Punjahs on the fair ground adjoining the rebellious city of Lahore, followed by 250 horsemen, made many pessimistic observers of his tour stare in amazement. He rode slowly and easily across the packed amphitheatre with curious .and. not unfriendly Indians pressing closely on all sides. He remained an hour in the heart of the gJ?at throng, watching the native sports. There was not a single hostile sign or cry raised during his passage, or before and after through the streets. This is really a wonderful visit, considering all that has keen said and written of the evil intentions of this capital cf Punjab. The Prince mingled more freely with the common people than in many less dangerous towns infected with political unrest. The fair, which the natives call mela, was organised hv Indians with the object of bringing the Prince and Punjab* together, and was really a welcome from Western Punjab, rather than Lahore. Local chiefs came from various points within a hundred miles, with, mounted retainers and thousands of the humblest people, who received no more from the Government than hare transportation. The fair was a combination of Hampstead Heath and Earls Court. There were at least 20,000 Indians present. Curiosity, rather than a surrender of political principles accounted for the presence of most.