VISIT OF IMPERIAL TROOPS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 30, 7 February 1901, Page 2

VISIT OF IMPERIAL TROOPS.

[P1!B PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Dunkdin, February 6 Rain fell as the procession of tho Imperial troops formed, Immense crowds thvonged the streets and OLI ercd tho favourite regiments.

Later. ! The in arch cf tbe Imperial troops through the main streets of tbo city to•iay was a stirring spootaele witnessed r >y aVi ry largo crowd, as large ahno';t us 011 the occasion of the departure of tho Fourth and Fifth Contingents.

Hi? early hctlr of 11.80 at which the march commenced prevented more than one band besides that with the visitors t iking part. Thin was the only deficiency in the greatest military di - pl ,y seen in Dnnedin. The volunteers mustered just on a thousand strong so that there we'.e fully 1700 men in the precession. Tho s'reata along the rou f >(\ n arly four miles in length, were lined with a Crowd whieh was dense in

tbe centre of the city. Windows roofs, etc., were utilised. Detachment of | eac 1, company as it p iss>\d reseived j enthusiastic cheers, the Highlanders' being the favorites. Just as the men were beißg dismissed a heavy prolonged shower fell. The Imperials were entertained at lunch, when they were welcomed by the Mayor and the Hon. J G. Ward and t.lie officers were enter-

tained by the volunteer officers of t.Vie di«t< io*-. Many of the men were diivon about the city and suburbs during the aft«rnoon by thair ho«t'. Tbe Imperial troops were entertained at. a social in the ovauing, the gallery being reserved for the heals of the men. It was evident, however, that the " Tommies " being free to do as they pleased, preferred the private entertainment provided by their hosts, or to fiod nmus'inent outside, as there whs only a moderate number present. The Mavor mentioned that Col. Wyndharn had remarked he bad nevtr seen =ueh an orderly crowd, or so clear a spue biunj; loft for marching, as if two or thv»e thousand man hai lined the streats.

OnaisTOHTOCH, February 6. The committes appointed at Lyttelton to make arrangements in connection vi h i.he arrival of the Imper:al troops hag docidid to secure a supply cf New Zoil-nd fruit to be placed on the Britannic for the use of the contingsnt# on the voyage home. Later.

Arrangements have bow been compldted for the reception of ths Imperial troops When the men arrive to morrow night they will be entertained at supper at the Exhibition Buildings, and will then proceed on koAi'd the Bri'anoic Lyt'iflton. On Friday morning thoy will return to Ohristchurcb, hold a rsview, nnd be enter'tained at luncheon. The oftioors will bi guests of 'he ci'.izons at lunch. The Britannic will leave for Wellington four o'clock.

Wanganui, Fobrnary 6. At a public melting to-night it was rf solved to accept the Hon. J. 0. Ward t offer for the Imperial troops to visit hare, Arrangements are being made to billet the men.

Napier, February 6,

The Imperial troops are to be entertained at luncheon in booths erected on the Rec;eatior Grounds. Gisborke, February 6. A me?sige recaived to-night s'ates that the Impe"ials will not call at Gisbornf. Representatives of Gisborne Volunteer Corps have been invitod to go to Ntipier to meet the visiting troops, INDIAN TROOPS PROCEED TO AUCKLAND. Wellington, February 6. The scheme to entertain the visiting troops at tea in the Basin Reserve has been abandoned. It has now been decided to hold a luncheon at the Stating Rink, presumably on Monday. The authorities liavo b';ou informed that tin Dalhousie left Melbourne with the Indian troops for Auckland, not Wellington, an stated in a recent cable.

TELEGRAM TO THE MAYOB FROM ACTING-PREMIER. DOUBTFUL IF TROOPS WILL VISIT TARANAKI. His Worship the Mayor (E» Djckrill Esq) has handed us the following tbleeiMuo, which he received about 6 o'ciock vesteulay eveuing :

" His Wo ship the Mayvr, New Plymouth.— Suhjaofc to be'ng able to hit*ngo for billeting at Wanginui a special traiu conveying fivo hundred of 'he Imperial troops, will have Wellington on Mouday morning for Wang .nui, I regret to say thas it is impossible to get them any further. They will rrst in Wangmui on Meaday ■vening and return to Wellington on Tuesday (ar'y. I shall make arrangement for exenr ion trains to carry 'he Tarnniiki p-oplo into Wanjmtiui. This h thii very Ust arrangement I fian make.—J G. Ward, Dunedin, 6ch February."