AN ISLAND SULTAN.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10065, 10 June 1910, Page 4

AN ISLAND SULTAN.

Amongst ths world's dark poten-

tates, au interesting specimen may be found ruling the little island kingdom of Ternate. Ternate is one of the Spice Islands, happy in an agreeable tropical climate which ensures a good supply of all necessaries in the shape of tropical foods. It is also happy in possessing a Sultan, whose grand appearance is a constant joy to his loving subjects, He is himself subject to Wilhelmina, who requires from him certain acts of homage. Amongst other things, he has to resign to her Government the care of his Crown jawete -the abssnce of which must cause pain to a barbaric monarch Ijßut he lives in a palace, we are told, an old dilapidated stone building with Corinthian pillars, and a flight of ruined stone steps leading down to the lawn in front. And when he emerges to pay visits, or to cast a fatherly eye over the welfare of the native population, he rides in a very ancient and rickety Scale carriage. Another curinus sight in Ternate is a review of the Sultan's troops. By some extraordinary, chance the uniforms are all of the NapolI eonic period copper - coloured faces and bare feet giving a new picturesqueness to these "Gentlemen of the Guard." The French idea is found again when the Sultan summons his dancing women, fur their dresses are supposed to represent costumes ol the Louis XIV. period, and the dance is a slow and stately minuet. The Sjltan and the princes, however, usually wear more up-to-date European garments, the only exotic suggestion being a turban, which is whit** in the case of royalty, commonor3 b3irg restricted to black.