ARGENTINE REPUBLIC

Hokitika Guardian, 16 October 1930, Page 8

ARGENTINE REPUBLIC

NEXT HOSTS OF THE PRINCE. (By HORACE.\VA r N!DHAM, iu Auckland Star). Since it became a republic, the Argentine lias always been friendly towards Great Britain. Now tnat the Prince of Wales lias decided to visit that part of tlie world, the bonds between the two countries will be still further strengthened. As a matter of bygone history, it is interesting to remember that Buenos Ayres was omei a British possession, it did not, however, remain so for long. In dune, 18UG, /Admiral ,Sir Home pophani landed a number of troops, with General Beresfdrd at their head, andi seized the town. In the following August a. larger body of French troops .compelled them to surrender, and. the Tri-colour replaced the Union Jack. Next year (1807) General White lock was dispatched from England with an expeditionary force of 8000 to recapture the town. But the campaign w r as shockingly mismanaged, and Whitelock had to retire. For his failure lie was brought to a court-mart/ai. Still, neither the French nor the Spaniards were much more successful, and the result was the Argentine Republic became firmly established. A CITY OF LUXURY. Buenos Ayres, where the Prince will stay for s°me days, is probably the most luxurious city in the wmrld. It has clubs, hotels', theatres, dance halls, restaurants, cinema palaces and opera houses, etc., beside which London and Paris / establishments look almost dowdy. The business premises, too—in particular the banks and insurance offices—are palatial, as also are the Law' Courts and the University. The principal square, is the Plaza, de Mayo, where the leading newspapers have their offices. The sumptuous Plaza Hotel, w'itli its great domed and pillared hall, presents a wonderfully attractive spectacle during the afternoon “tea hour,” when its palm court is crammed .with Argentine rank and fjashion The gathering there is markedly cosmopolitan! One hears Spanish, French, Italian and English; and sees naval and military officers, politicians, landowners, musical and theatrical celebrities, and business magnates on every side. As a rule, the Argentine ladies prefer to sit in the galleries, .from w'hich point of vantage they w'atch the gay throng below. This is because, despite the upheaval of the old and time-worn sex restriction, the average woman of the republic, still clings to a certain measure of privacy. Twentieth century or not-, she is really happier in the society of hei" husband and her children. SPORT IN THE ARGENTINE. Due probably to his open-air life, the average Argentinian is a great sportsman, being thoroughly at home in the saddle and a splendid shot. Football grounds, golf links and tennis courts are also to be found all over the country, and never lack for patrons. The Prince is fairly certain to spend some of his time at Buenos Ayres watching the racing in Palermo Park. The course there, belonging to the Hippodrome Argentine, is a very beautiful one, with its flower-bordered paddocks, abundance of velvety turf, and tree lined -avenues. The Buenos Ayres Jockey Club, which controls all racing fixtures, is a magnificently appointed building, with a Turkish bath, fencing saJoon, ballroom and gymnasium under the same roof. A little distance from the town is the Hurlington Club, with another racecourse and polo ground, as well as facilities for cricket and tennis, etc. The native-born Argentinian i s renowned for his hospitality.. There is no such thing as a “week-end” visit to his ranch. If his guest does not sjiop with him at least a month, he feels injured. Official hospitality is also practised. A : Kittle time ago when a number of British ships of war came into harbour at Buenos Ayres, everybody on board—from admiral down to bluejacket—was entertained by the Government. Luncheons, dinner parties, picnics, receptions, and dances were the order of the day (as well as the night), and the gallant tars departed quite exhausted. The Republic, by the way, has a couple of superdreadnoughts of her own, together with a small hut efficient fleet of cruisers and torpedo craft, etc. Her army is a militia, and can put three divisions in the field Some of the mounted officers visited London and took part in tlie Royal Military Tournament at Olympia. THE HOME OF THE RODEO. In its fourteen provinces the Argentine Republic has a total area of more than a million square miles. Its population too., has passed the million mark. There is little poverty, for the country has vast natural resources in respect of cotton, sugar, coffee, tobacco, and meat. The size of some of the ranches is such that when a. planter announces that lie is going round his property, he pack up enough lug<m ,r e to last- him a week. To the average British boy the Argentine conjures up a vision of the boundless and rolling pampas and prairies that have formed the scene

of so many of Mayne Reed’s romances. Times, however, have altered somewhat since these stirring works were written. The jaguar and the puma have gone hack to .their forests, and the plateaux are now given up to herds and flocks and great stretches of corn. The Prince will see something of the gaucho and his work in rounding up cattle. While his work and methods are the same, the modern gaucho, with his mixture of Spanish and Indian blood, is very different from his predecessors. He has become moulded by the spirit of the age, and is now as civilised as any other member of the community. 1 He has many excellent qualities, and his skill as a herdsman and an agriculturist is unequalled anywhere. But he is >a man of moods. Proud as Lucifer, a chance word may upset him. There is the sudden flash of a knife; and then, perhaps a. tragedy, followed by a hurried dash across the plains to the shelter of the mountains.

In his holiday attire the gaucho, is i picturesque figure. Thus, he affects ! oose flowing trousers (locally known •i s bombachqs), stuffed .into f high ’>oots, a cape (or poncho), and a widebrimmed sombrero hat. Round his vaist he wears a colourful silk sn'sh from which 'protudes a broad-bladed lagger in a silver sheath. There is ■ilvcr, too, on his horse’s bridle and saddle, as well as on the pommel, from vhicli hangs his lariat.