THE GREAT DURBAR

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 709, 3 January 1903, Page 2

THE GREAT DURBAR

M A GNI FI CE NT WE A THE R, By Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright. BOMBAY, January 1. Fifteen thousand people occupied the great amphitheatre outside Delhi to-day. Thu Durbar was favoured with magnificent weather, and during the whole of the proceedings there was unbroken sunshine. King Edward was proclaimed Emperor amidst tumultuous cheering. Viscount Cur/.on, Viceroy of India, read King Edward's message, expressive of affection for , and admiration of India. His Majesty stated thai his desire was to maintain unimpaired the principles of human and equitable administration. King Edward’s reference in his message to a probable early visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales was warmly acclaimed. The Maharajah of Jaipur Iras given a lakh of rupees; to the Indian People’s Famine Trust. Numerous honors have been conferred in connection with the Durbar. The principal Indian orders have been enlarged. Lord George Hamilton has been made Grand Commander cf the Star oi India ; the Nizam of Hyderabad receives the Grand Cross rf

tire Bath ;1 and Lady Curzon the Ka! ser-i-hind medal. Concessions ha.e bee i given to the Indian Army aid the salutes to the several Princes ucreased.

Sixteen thousand one hundred and eighty-eight prisoners have been amnestied.

SCENE OF INCOMPARABLE SPLENDOUR. THE KING’S ASSURANCE. ELOQUENT SPEECH BY VICEROY. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. BOMBAY, January 2. Massed bands played Stamcford’s Coronation March.

A feu de joie outside, was .ollowed by a roar of cheers from forty thou sand troops and the immense multitude of spectators. The effect was almost overwhelming. L: n! Curzon, in a singitlaiiy impressive and eloquent speech, deliver ed with great dignity and elocutionary effect, emphasised the gtandeur and advantages of British rule. He dwelt on the significance oi one-fifth cf t.f’f human race, through tLur r.jpres. rtatives assembled, te.uifyi , \z allegiance and faithful attachment to a common sovereign. The King’s assurance that the supreme object o he rule was to advance tire welfare o? hr* Indian subjects produced a preform 1 impression. In the course of his speech, Lord Curzon eulogised the loyalty and selfsrorifice of the feudalories. lie announced that interest on the famine loans would be remitted in three years, and he hoped shortly to alleviate taxation, everything indicating a p’csperous future, while the supremacy of the paramount power was unchallenged. The amphitheatre was a scene of incomparable splendor, representing all eminent Indian society, natives and Europeans, with visitors irom all parts of the world. A hundred great feudatories and the highest British officials were grouped on the right and left of the dais, and hidden by lattices and framework sat the Maharanees, including the mother of the infant ruler of Bharampur, who was in her arms.

When all were seated, there was a ■wonderfully dazzling effect of color. When six hundred survivors of the mutinv, Europeans, Eurasians, natives (one a centenarian), marched in as the bands played “ Conquering Hero ” and 11 Auld Lang Sync," the whole assemblage rose and saluted. They also gave an ovation to Lord Kitchener and the Duke of Connaught. Lady Curzon and the Duchess were seated slightly behind their husbands.

Tire herald announced Edward's coronation, the Standard was hoisted and one hundred and one guns were fired.-