PRINCE AND COLONIAL TROOPERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 46, 16 August 1911, Page 7

PRINCE AND COLONIAL TROOPERS.

MAORIS' IMPROMPTU WAR DANCE. London, June 30. The overseas troopers and cadets stationed at the Duke of York's School, Chelsea, had a pleasant surprise last Tuesday in the. shape of a totally unheralded visit from H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, Princess Mary and Prince George, who were accompanied by Major E. W. Wallington and .Major Wigram. The Royal party were received by the Duke of Abercorn, and the commanding staff officers, who immediately lined up all the men available for tho Prince's inspection. As he passed down the lines in company with his brother arid sister, each section gave tongue to tremendous cheering as soon as the Prince had finished with them. And then came a scene which the school grounds have not seen the like of before. The men from overseas commenced to cut. buttons and badges off their tunics and offer them to the Royal visitors who, in the language of the Court Circular, "graciously accepted them.' In plain English this means that on this occasion the princes and the princess accepted tho gifts just as eagerly as the troopers offered them, and were evidently highly delighted to get the souvenirs.

After the main body of the troopi had been inspected, the Australian cadets, under the command of Major Wynne, who had at the time been driving past the school in brakes, were marshalled and entered the school gates at the double. They immediately lined up and were subsequently inspected by the Prince, who regarded these younger sons of the Empire with great interest, many of them being his own age. His Royal Highness subsequently inspected the buildings, reading and writing rooms of the troops, and during this time the Royal North-west Mounted Police, who had been taking their morning exercise, arrived at Hie school, and were at once 'inspected by the Prince, who was evi'ifeiJ'tV mmdi pleased at the way in AyMcTi these men also divested themselves "b'f 'their badges for presentation to him. "One of the officers declared that in future lie should parade with only one badge, and excuse himself by saying that the other had been taken by the future King. One incident very much amused the I Royal parly. Among the Xew Zealand j 'contingent, were one or two Maoris, and these executed an impromptu war dance to till! accompaniment of rhythmic elappinf? by their white comrade*. So delighted w;\s little Prince (leorge with the performance thai, he asked that, it might be repeated, and with fearful grimaces "anil ! indK'rihabio gc-;i irulaiiuns the Maoris- replied with evident pleasure. I The Prince and Princess made various | purchase* ut. the bookstall of postcards |, showing - Hie troops and barracks, which L.t-hey car Vied' away. whilst Prince C.'oorge's !'po(ikeith" w'crn bulging with regimental I souvenirs. ' "

-.'•As-the' Hoy a I party drove away another" rousing cheer was raised by the :-troops, 1o l which the South Africans add"6d a 'bizarre' note in the shape of », Zulu Waf cry. i>\,