THE PRINCE OF WALKS IN INDIA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 74, 15 March 1876, Page 4

THE PRINCE OF WALKS IN INDIA

" The correspondent of the Melbourne Argus writes as follows : — ..,, , . . Lucknow, January 9. On Friday his Royal Highness laid the foundation stone of a monument in memory*' : <df' 'the- Sepoy officers and soldiers who fell in the defence of Lucknow; during the mutiny. A large number of people of all classes were present. Sir George Cooped Bart., addressing the Prince of Wales, said that they were assembled in honor of the native soldiers, who fell in the defence of the place whose ruins they saw around the city. The conduct of those men was a proof, that the natives of India are not deficient in courage, truth, and fidelity. He believed -that the conduct of the men at Lucknow was without parallel in ;; the annals of the world, for their only watchword was fidelity to their salt, although they were tempted for days 'by "their relations, castemen, and comrades, to save their religion and their race by deserting the British. Had these men listened to their comrades and deserted, Lucknow mußt have fallen, and thousands of the trained soldiers of the enemy would have been set free to maroh to Delhi. Lass distinguished services had been commemorated at the cost of the country, but the Viceroy had done this at his own expense. When the Prince's visit was over, it was hoped that, although the Prince ; took part in more conspicuous proceedings, the part taken by His Royal ;Highness on that spot, oonsecrated by the blood of the truest and bravest of England and India, would not be forgotten. The Prince replied extempore: — "I have received from the Viceroy the request that I would lay the foundation-stone of the memorial His Excellency proposes to erect to the soldiers of the native army who fell in the ever-memorable defence of the Residency. I have great pleasure in assenting to Lord Northbrook's request. I am glad to have a share in doing honor to the memory of those brave men who have set such a noble example of devotion to their duty. After what Sir George Cooper has said, it is not necessary for me to dwell on the details of the deeds of courage and fidelity which have become historically so celebraied, but I express ray conviction that the act of the Viceroy in erecting this monument will be most acceptable to all classes of her Majesty's arms; As they pass it on the way to their camp, they will see one more memorial of a great military achievement. The Europeans will feel that they had in such as we here commemorate,, fellow-soldiers in every way fitted to take part in the defence of the empire; and the native Sepoys will feel proud of their men whose deeds of valor and, of fidelity have reflected such honor on their race and their country." ' , ; Delhi, Jan. 12. The review before the Prince to-day was. » grand military spectacle. Eighteen thousand troops were present, in picturesque and varied uniforms. The native regiments, the elephant and mule batteries, lent additional beauty to the scene. The Prince, on arrival on the ground, at once passed along the whole lino of each division, after which he took up his position at the salutingpoiut, when the march-past commenced. The artillery and cavalry closed the spectacle by trotting past in batteries and squadrons, and then galloping past in Hues of batteries and regiments. The Prince presented new colors to the lltb Native Infantry before leaving the ground. A large concourse of spectaters assembled. The whole force looked eplendid, and the marching past in most cases was faultlesa. Jaipoke, Jan. 23. The Prince arrived here on the 20th. On reaching the River Toree, a procession waß formed. The Prince, in company with the Maharajah, mounted an elephant, which was gorgeously housed. The route from the bridge to the i city was lined by the Maharajah's troops, dressed in uniforms the most picturesque and antique, armed with matchlocks .'and rifles of varied and ancient patterns. The most noticeable feature in the procession (which was the most magnificent pageant yet witnessed since the Prince's arrival) was the dresses of >the body guards, some being m chain mail, recalling the Crusade period, whilst others wore handsome cuirasses and helmets.. On reaching the palace, specially erected at an enorinou9 cost, the Prince proceeded to the terrace, and witnessed the fireworks, and ;■. the charming landscape was lit up for miles* The Prince opened a railway bridge at Nusserabad on Saturday. The opening ceremonial of the Chenal Bridge, which is 9,300ft. long, was most successfully managed, and there was a large company from Lahore and the surrounding districts. The Prince, simply struck a rivet with & golden hammer, presented in a handsome gold casket, and declared the bridge opened. THE PALMER BLACKS. " That the blacks are as bad as ever in the Palmer district whenever an opportunity presents itself, there is, states the Brisbane Courier, " unfortunately, plenty of evidence constantly forthcoming. A packer from Cooktown to the diggings, who called at Brisbane on his way to Sydney this week, relates two incidents which lately oecured to him on the track, where his life was in considerable danger from hese irreclaimable denizens of the forest. On the first occasion— ti&velliug

alone — he was preparing to camp at the second crossing of'tbe Palmer, and was ■ stooping to kindle a fire previous to un- '; packing, when three spears were thrown ■ by an invisible enemy, one of which buried itself to a considerable depth in ; the sand close beside him. He im- , mediately resumed his journey, and oontiuued travelling without further molestation until a friendly camp was reached. The next occasion was on the Normanby, when himself and ! several Chinese packers were camped for dinner. He had started a fire of his own some 30 or 40 yards from the Chinamen, and was lying on the grass waiting with tea and sugar in his hand for the billy to boil, when, happening to turn his head, he discovered three or four armed blacks within 20 yards of him. To jump to his feet and run towards the Chinamen was the work of a moment, but such is the terror of these people wherever the blacks are concerned, that they no sooner caught sight of the flying white man than uway they started helter-skelter leaving packs, rifles, revolvers, their half-cooked dinner and everything else behind them. Our informant, however, here made a stand and after a time — the blacks making no further demonstration—- the Chinese braves cautiously ventured back. The blacks, however, had not been idle in the meantime, but bad speared to death a valuable pack horse close to the spot where they were first seen. Great loss and annoyance is experienced by the telegraph construction party between Junction Creek and Palmerville, by the presence of the aborigines in considerable numbers in the vicinity of the telegraph camps, who, without venturing an attack, watch their opportuaity and rifle the tents, &c, of provisions, clothing, blankets, and everything else that suits them. This has been done so frequently that men cannot be induced io remain in sufficient numbers, aDd the contractor experiences the greatest difficulty in making headway with the work. It need scarcely be added, that the great number and persistent hostility of the blacks render the work of prospecting extremely dangerous, and tend very materially to retard the extension of the goldfield."