TROOPS IN EGYPT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 218, 22 February 1915, Page 7

TROOPS IN EGYPT.

AUCKLANDER'S EXPERIENCE. The reception given to a party of six | Auckland troopers who left camp at Cairo on Christmas Cay and wont to I a town called Minia, is referred to in aletter recently received in Auckland. "The trains get along here pretty well, so ve did the 150 miles to our destination in four hours. When we alighted at Minia, what was our to surprise to sen all the people in the streets stop and stare at us. They all followed us down thy street, the children going ahead shouting and singing songs. Our guide, who called himself our sincere friend, explained that we were the first British soldiers to enter the place. The native police even turned out their reserves to clear the streets for us. While we had a meal in a restaurant, the police barricaded both sides of the street the curious multitude having to wait for our return or else occupy some of the houses and shops opposite. Our dinner over, wo were escorted out of the restaurant by a back way in order avoid the people, but were soon discovered and the singing and cheering recommenced."

After visiting the various sights of the town,. which included one of the Sultan's gardens, the Coptic school was inspected. "As we' entered each classroom," continued the letter, "the little children stood up and saluted. I, being in charge of the party, saluted bad;, and then waved mv hand majestically for them to sit down. Tn\vanlly wc were all splitting our sides with laughter at the scene, and ceremony Whore ever we went the crowd followed us. The respect for the British uniform everywhere is very marked, but the only thing that is' worrying us is that we might have upset the political situation."

A letter has been received from Major G. J. Rastrick. ill command of the 16th Regiment, main New Zealand expeditionarmy force, in which he acknowledges the Christmas greetings cabled to his regiment. Inter alia, the Major says: "You will be pleased to hear that at a march past and inspection bv the. Brigadier held recently, the Auckland b<ittaliop was considered the best of the battalions and the Kith Company the best company in the march past."— i. Auckland Herald.