The King.

Manawatu Herald, 16 August 1902, Page 2

The King.

PRESENTATION OP MEDALS TO COLONIALS.

The King and Sir Frederick Treves on Tuesday morning drove in a closed carriage to the Royal College of Surgeons. In the afternoon bis Majesty presented. the colonial Premiers and their wives with Coronation medals.

Mr Seddon congratulated the King on his recovery, and presented the New Zealand Executive’s illuminated address, and a greenstone and gold

casket from bis constituents in Westland, and also a Maori patakiand address in Maori from the Maori King, Mahuta. The King admired the gifts, and expressed pleasure at the acceptable reminders from New Zealand. His Majesty considered the pataki unique. Replies will be sent to the donors. The King had a long conversation with Mr Seddon, and complimented him upon the appearance of the soldiers from New Zealand, remarking that they had fought very well in South Africa. His Majesty admired the physique of the Maoris. < The Sovereigns and the Frinee and Princess of Wales expressed pleasure at Mrs Seddon's recovery. The Prince and Princess of Wales made many inquiries regarding -New Zealand, which they consider the most unique and interesting of the colonies, and stated that they were always speaking about it. The King was exceedingly complimentary to Sir Edmund Barton. He said the bravery of the Australians was as conspicuous as their loyalty. REVIEW OP COLONIAL TROOPS. After receiving the Premiers, the King, attired in uniform and looking well, in the presence of the Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Indian Princes, the Premiers, Mr Chamberlain, Lord'Carrington, Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener, reviewed 1900 colonials, including sixteen Australian officers and 219 men, six New Zealand officers and 127 men, one Fijian officer and 20 men. The Grenadiers held a parade on the ground, on the tree-bordered lawn facing the west terrace, the varied uniforms of the colonials picturesquely contrasting with the background of. rich green foliage and the crimson carpet on the terrace and down the steps to the lawn, where the Sovereigns occupied chairs under an Indian canopy. The colonials paraded in seven lines, the Australians being in front.. The King presented Sergeant T. Lawrence, of the Seventeenth Lancers, with the Victoria Gross.The Prince of -Wales, prasented Coronation medals, the colonials filing past the spot where King Edward was seated.

The King allowed the recipients on returning to the ranks to sit on the grass and light their pipes, as if off the saddle on the veldt.

When the parade was resumed a Royal salute was given, with cheers for the Sovereign. The King, in a speech, said it gave him great pleasure to see members of the contingents from his dominions beyond the sea, and to have an opportunity of expressing his high appreciation of their patriotism. The way they had distinguished themselves and the service they had rendered the Motherland would never be forgotten by him, and would cement more firmly than ever tho union of the distant colonies- and other parts of the Empire. His Majesty said that owing to his illness their stay had been prolonged, and he hoped they had derived pleasure from their visits to the various parts of the land of their ancestors. His Majesty added, “ God bless you all.” Enormous crowds cheered the colonials on arriving and departing. The Maharajah of Jaipur has presented the King with a jewelled sword. The sword is valued at £lO,000. The King will wear it when reviewing the Indian troops. At the conclusion of the parade on Tuesday the colonials gave hearty cheers for the King, who testified to his satisfaction at'- the parade. The King- showed no sign of lassitude, and went lightly up the steps of the Palace.