CROWNING OF THE KING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3220, 17 May 1911, Page 2

CROWNING OF THE KING.

WHAT IT WILL COST THE NATION.

SOME Ol<' THE ARRANGEMENTS

The Coronation of King George, it is estimated, will cost £185,000, as compared with £124,750 expended over that of King Edward, according to a Whit© Paper issued on. Tuesday. ILLUMINATIONS IN LONDON. NUMEROUS DECORATIVE DEVICES. Gold, with white relief, has been chosen for the main color scheme of the Coronation decorations at the Bank of England. The architectural' features of the Bank will be outlined with electric lights. In the centre, facing Threadneedle Street, there will be three decorative devices—each about fourteen feet deep—surmounted by a representation of the Imperial crown. Ten large electric flambeaux will be placed at the main cornice of the building, and from these festoons of electric bulbs will radiate. Four miles of cable will be used, and six new mains will be specially laid to carry the current. THE KING AND MUSIC HALLS. JULY COMMAND PERFORMANCE. The music-hall command performance at which the King and Queen are to be present during their visit to Edinburgh next July has created extraordinary interest among the managers and artistes of the variety theatres. The Empire Theatre, Edinburgh, recently destroyed by fire, and at which a command performance was to have been given, had seating accommodation for 3000 persons, and as there was also good stage room the facilities for such an event would have been excellent. It has not yet been made known where the command performance will take place, but the artistes who will appear will be the best and most representative of the British variety profession. According to the present views of managers, it is unlikely that sketches will form any part of the programme. CORONATION REVIEW. FOREIGN SQUADRONS TO BE PRESENT. There will be such a fleet of Dreadnoughts at the Coronation' review at Spithead on Saturday, June 24, as has never before been seen. Over 500 warships will stretch across the water from Cowes to Spithead. The Navy airship from Barrow will, be present, and there are likely to be several aeroplanes. Germany, Russia, France, the United States, and Japan will send squadrons under princes or great admirals. In the Home Fleet the line will be headed by the new battleship Neptune, flying the flag of Sir Francis Bridgeman ; the other Dreadnoughts in the fleet will be the Bellerophon, Collingwood ,St. Vincent, Superb, Temeraire, Vanguard. Hercules, and Colossus. The overhauled original Dreadnought will be present as an individual unit. The first cruiser squadron will include the Dreadnoughts, Indefatigable, Indomitable, Invincible, and Inflexible, and possibly also the Lion, now completing at Devonport. The Atlantic Fleet will be represented by the Formidable, Implacable, London, Prince of Wales, Qeeen, and Venerable; and the Mediterranean Fleet by the Cornwallis, Duncan, Exmouth, Russell, and Triumph. The attendant cruiser squadron of each Fleet will be in the lines, and five destroyer flotillas and tomedo-boats.

The King and Queen will arrive at Portsmouth on Saturday morning, and will at once go on board the royal yacht Victoria anc] Albert, accompanied by the royal yachts Alexandra'and Alberta. Special and escorting vessels will form a royal procession afloat to Spithead. The King and Queen will pass up and down the lines greeted with salutes from all the ships and the shore batteries. They will remain in Cowes Roads till Monday morning. The illumination on Saturday evening will be a magnificent Spectacle.

THE KINC’S ROBES.

HISTORIC GARAIENTS

The King will wear at his Coronation the magnificent robe of crimson velvet and cloth of gold which was worn by George IV. when he .was crowned in Westminster Abbey in August, IS2I. This robe has been presented to the. King by Lord Ancaster, whose greatgrandfather' (then Lord Gwydyr) officiated at the Coronation of George IV. as Lord Great Chamberlain, and the robe became his perquisite.

THE QUEEN’S MARYS

JEWTSII LADIES’ GIFT

The Jewish Miriams-—the name is equivalent to Mary—are anxious that they shall be allowed to share in the “Mary” Coronation gift to the Queen. The executive committee has decided that they shall be allowed to do so, and has added the name Miriam'to the former list of those eligible to contribute —those who bear the names of Mary, May, Marie, Maria, Marian, and Marion. It has been decided that the last date for receiving subscriptions shall be not May 1, but May 26, the Queen’s birthday.