THE PRINCE IN INDIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 February 1922, Page 5

THE PRINCE IN INDIA.

CEREMONIES AT GWALIOR. SCENE OF BARBARIC SPLENDOR. By Telegraph.—Press Assn —Copyright. Delhi, Feb. 7. The Prince entered Gwalior City riding an elephant. The procession was reminiscent of barbaric grandeur of the Moghul days. Everywhere he was received with whole-hearted enthusiasm and with the customary pageants, characteristic of Oriental receptions.

The elephant on which the Prince made the entry into Gwalior was over a century old. The body of the gigantic beast was covered with gold paint, his head and trunk were steeped in ochre, and there were red rings round his eyes. He wore heavy silver anklets and trappings. The assemblage of State elephants was hardly less gor-

geous. The Prince climbed on the back of the elephant by a ladder and was followed by the Maharajah or Scindia. A satin and gold howdah was lashed to the flanks of the elephant over a mantle of velvet hung with tinkling 'bells of gold and silver. The State elephants followed in pairs, painted silver and other colors. They carried the Prince’s suite, Maharajahs and Sirdars. Other elaborately deco rated elephants were included in the processon. Native musicians stationed at intervals along the route kept up a wild clamour. They will play day and night while the Prince remains, providing a sort of continuous jazz in regular shifts.

The Prince sleeps in a bedroom in the palaee with a jewelled ceiling. A Durbar was held and was a brilliant function. Members of the Scindia’s family and the officials were dressed in crimson silk glittering with jewels. The Prince opened the King George Park and attended a State banquet.