The Imperial Troops.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 112, 23 February 1901, Page 3

The Imperial Troops.

Auckland, February 21. ; Five members “of the Imperial Contingent were charged at the Police Court at Auckland with having been absent without leave; from the Britannic.

The Magistrate said to the SubInspector;: “You don’t want to send them to gaol, do you ?” The Sub-Inspector replied: . “Yes; where else are they to go to ?” The Magistrate said he did not know ; and asked was it any criminal offence being absent without leave. One of the Highland Light In fantry here interposed, saying*: “ lr is an injustice to us to try us a,deserters. We are in His Majesty V uniform. I missed the boat through falling off the train at Mercer. J was jerked oft going round a sharj curvb. I had no intention of stay ing behind/’ The Magistrate : Do you want tt rejoin your regiment?” All five : “ Yes, sir.” ■ At this stage the ease was allowed to stand over. The accused were released o i parole on their "undertaking to re main at the Permanent Artiller barracks until Colonel Wyndhan bad been communicated with.

At the Police Court, Georg Graham was charged with aiding to conceal deserters from the Imperial 'troops. He was evident!} unaware that this is a very soriou: offence. The Magistrate proposed to inflict a nominal fine of ss, but counsel pointed out that the Bench must either imprison or discharge him. The Magistrate then entered a conviction and discharged the accused, Gisbokne, February 21. Glorious weather favour the reception of the Indian troops to-day. The Dalhousie arrived at 7.10 a.m., and the troops landed at !0. The Premier, Mr Ward, and party arrived shortly after daylight in the Tutanekai, and landed at 8.30, At an early hour the streets began to fill, people coming in regular procession from the country and there are a considerable number of natives in the gathering. Bunting is flying on the vessels in port, from the signal station, and from every staff in the town. A close holiday is being observed, and the holiday dresses of the crowd, the bright attire of the ladies, and the uniforms of the local troops, made up a scene of brilliance and animation that left nothing to be desired. On lauding, the mounted section of the visitors provided the prettiest military display ever seen here. The formal reception will take place •jn the Recreation Ground. The Indian troops left for Napier to-night. The Premier, in a private message to a Dunedin resident, says that the Indian troops will be leaving the colony within the next 14 days, probably sooner. The latest communication from the Viceroy is to the effect that their visit to the colony must now draw to a close.