Almost daily now we are reminded that the present Viceroy's term of office is fast drawing a close. On Friday last he held his final investiture at Delhi, a brilliant and imposing ceremony, The actual ceremony took place in the big ball-room of the Viceregal Lodge, and was a full-dress a! for all the civil and military officers, The ladies who were present wore! half-mourning and were in black, white, grey or mauve. Practically all the ruling chiefs now in Delhi were present and their rich dresses and splendid jewels added in no small measure to the brilliance of the scene.
Punctually at 9.30 p. m, the Viceroy with" the Countess of] Reading entered the ball-room state procession, the "chobda: with their insignia of state ing the way, followed by the St His Exeelléney was dressed in the full robes of the Star of India and Her Excellency wore beautiful dress of mauve tissue, draped with silver lace. Thi passed up the room through passage lined by the Bodyguard and took their seats in two golden chairs, with the banner of the Star of India on the left and the! Lanner of the Indian Empire on the right. The firet gentleman to be decorated was Sir Maurice Hayward who was followed by Col. His Highness the Maharaja of Baratpur, the Nawab of Tunagail and Sir Basil Blackett, all of received the C.S.1, ' Then came the others and it was not till half-past 10 o'clock that the fin recipient, Miss Rosecare, who was given the Kaiser-i-Hind medal (Second Class), made her curtsey to the Viceroy.' After the investiture was over the company partook, of refreshments while the Viceroy' and Lady Reading conversed with their numerous guests.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.