THE DELHI DURBAR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 186, 12 January 1912, Page 6

THE DELHI DURBAR.

SOME INTERESTING NOTES. An officer in the Indian Army, who was present at the Delhi Durbar, wrote the following interesting letter just before the commencement of celebrations (says the Masterton Times).: — GETTING READY TO MOVE. My next letter will be from the camp at Delhi, as we leave here next Tuesday evening. The weather is the disturbing factor in our prospects for that. Yesterday again we had a regular storm — thunder, lightning, and' a monsoon downpour of rain. To-day it is lovely again, but very cold. If, as is probable, yesterday's storm reached Delhi, the damage done must be enormous. Here we have water lying everywhere, and we can imagine the damage that must accrue to the temporary light railways, gardens, etc., that have been made throughout the various camps. It is a, pity if much is spoilt, for there is hardly sufficient time left to effect much in the way of repairs. We had moich difficulty yesterday afternoon, for our mess kit was being sent off, and carts would not turn ! out for the rain. The 'baggage train had to go off only half loaded, and we shall have to take the rest of the stuff with us in the troop train somehow. It is only} one night's journey. We have now got maps of the camp. Our camp is four miles from "The Ridge,' and there are camps beyond u». The whole ground west and north-west is aovered with camps for six miles, so you can imagine the size of the whole show. Nothing is going on here at present but Delhi preparations, and, to tell the truth, I am'heartily tired with the preparatory stages. Generals, etc., get very fussy with the prospect of performing in i public and for the public. I consider] we ar,e quite good enough without all this special "eye-wash," but then I am, not a general yet. A WONDERFUL SIGHT. Here I am in Delhi at last. We left Julliman on Tuesday evening, arriving here after daylight on Wednesday. Railway extensions have been made to the various army camps, and we are witkia half a mile of the big railway, and have ? a station of the small Durbar railway alJ most at our doors. Delhi ds a wonderful sight. The camps are beautifully planned, and plenty of space taken. The various Government camps have beautiful gardens and lawns laid out, and all the native States have vied with «ach other in the decoration of their camps, so one can go for miles with these gorgeous camps on either hand, and I suppose it is the finest camp, or rather canvas city, that has ever been A LUXURIOUS CAMP. The GO. and I went all over the King's camp. In front are spacious lawns laid out in the best of taste. The.l camp itself has in front two enormous tents, about 100 yards by 40 yards each —reception rooms. The inner walls are ; silk lined, and the furniture, carpets, . etc., are in keeping. To right and left of these are row upon row of large' t tents, their Majesties' living tents, andj ' those of their suites. Quite rightly, roo ; expense has .been spared in fitting up I everything in the very best way. ' The native chiefs' camps, which radiate in streets from the King's camp, are , gorgeous in their own/particular way, I I with arches at the entrances, etc., in ! j their usual native style. IJ MIGHT BE PICCADILLY. s We have a very comf ortaible camp at . present, and when D comes down it > will ibe ample. We do parades in the • morning and ride all round the Test of i the day. I have brought both our r horses and have to keep them exercised t and accustomed to the traffic, which is 5 enormous. Motors, motor lorries, four- > in-handa, and all aorta of ordinary t vehicles—some of the streets might be Piccadilly but for the fact that the homely bullock-cart and "ekka" axe , much in evidence, and the effect is j quaint, mixed up with thje latest and most expensive motor cars obtainable. Of course, we are putting in a lot of time 'looking up old friends. With the large numbers of regiments here we have friends scattered about every- - where. The difficulty is to find them out. Next week I fancy we shall.have re- , hearsals for some of the functions, parades, etc., so I shall be busier than } we hav.e been yet. Up to now I have not seen the Durbar Amphitheatre exJ cept in the distance. It.is an enormous J place like a huge colosseum.