The Prince’s Visit.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1922, Page 2

The Prince’s Visit.

UISTRAIU.V AND N.Z. CARLE ASSOCIATION ON THE AFGHAN FRONTIER. DELHI, March 5. All hill forts and watch-towers at Kyber were manned when the Prince motored through the famous Pass to the Afghan frontier. At Londikhana, riflemen stood a,t the salute and little I groups on slender crags, peeped down from dizzy heights into the winding road, which was fined with native infantry. Over fifteen hundred Afridi warriors were posted on the hills along the defile, in addition to thej regular frontier garrison. "Words of welcome were picked out on white-washed stones, beside some tiny watch towers poised among the clouds, while mule corps encamped .near Ali Musjid had emblazoned greetings in ten foot letters. On the steep slopes were also several goy arches, erected by tribesmen. The Prince was not able to see the usual caravan traffic as the pass was kept clear for his journey. At Landikhana he visited the last outposts of Gurkhas looking into Afghanistan, and saw a single tent just beyond the frontier where a few of the Amir’s infantry guard their side of the gate to India. Beyond was a fine view of the Afghan plain with snow-capped mountains in the distance. On the return journey he participated in a striking scene near 1 Jamrud. A thousand Maliks, or village elders, representing the entire Afridi nation had gathered. They were mostly old bearded men who squatted on costly carpets before the chairs where the Prince sat with the Chief Commissioner of r.the North-West frontier, and the political agent. The Maliks presented the Prince with sheep, specimens of ancient Afridi arms, and the most modern rifle they can manufacture at their primitive factory.