THE CROWNING OF A KING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3252, 24 June 1911, Page 7

THE CROWNING OF A KING.

FURTHER DETAILS OF A BRILLIANT PAGEANT.

ENORMOUS CROWDS IN LONDON. ,

RAIN CAUSES POSTPONEMENT OF FLEET ILLUMINATIONS

[UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, June 22. The following New Zealanders were allotted seats in the Abbey: -Hie Primate and Mrs. Nevill, Mr, and Mrs.' Turnbull, Mr. Verret, the Hon. Mr. and Mrs. Bowen, Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes, Mr. and Mrs. Mills, Mr. and Mis. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Rutherford, Mr. and Mrs. Kirker, Mr. Moss Davis, Sir William and Lady Hall-Jones, Lady Stout, Mrs. Seddon. Mrs. Collins, Mrs. Perry, Mrs. Rhodes, sen., also a large number of representative visiting George’s first public act after leaving the Abbey and reaching Buckingham Palace was to touch an electric button,' laying the corner stone of the Fishermen’s and Sailors’ Home at St. John’s, Newfoundland. French, German, Austrian, and Russian newspapers contain warm expression of goodwill to King George and the nation. _ The King is presenting the various Governments or. the Overseas dominions with a copy of a State portrait of himself and the Queen. The ceremony of crowning took place at 12.37 p.m. . Officials from the Abbey announced the news in the streets. It spread quickly, and was received with loud cheeering everywhei’e, crowds singing the National Antnem. Guns fired salutes at the Tower and in Hyde Park. The sermon was taken from St. Luke, 22nd chapter, 2rth verse, lam among you as he that serveth.” Dr.'Lang said: “The King is sent to he leader of the people in the service of God and man. From God s altar he receives his rule. We pray that a strong trust in God will keep him faithful to God’s great trust in him. The King is among the people of the fiomeland. the multitudes in India, and the strong young nation overseas, but raised above private and local interests'to unite all in one fellowship of common memories, ideals, and sacrifices.” ~ . , - , The return journey was commenced in sunshine amidst the most intense enthusiasm. The King and Queen wove crowns. , The sightseers began to congregate at midnight. Many were discoveied at dawn peacefully sleeping on kerb stones. The crowd finally, however, was not as large as anticipated, owing to the police precautions and the high price of seats sending many Londoners to the country for the week-end. Buckingham Palace was the Mecca of crowds, owing to the possibility of watching the arrival of foreign princes and envoys at that place. I lie scene was most brilliant. When the troops with their new uniforms, and the Colonials took their positions Princess Mary and one of her brothers watched from a window of the Palace. The New Zealanders were m a dark uniform, the South Africans in khaki, the Imperial Light Horse, the Natal Mounted Rifles, the kilted Capetown Highlanders and 600 Canadians, representing 130 units,’ were particularly noticeable. , ‘ _ , , , -p. , Guards of Honor were mounted in the quadrangle at 9 o clock, the rtuke of Connaught being the central figure. . , .. ~, Brilliantly-uniformed officers were superintending the formation ol the piocessions A number of gorgeously-clad and bejewelled Indian princesses were seated in the quadrangle. , . . v . The rain and clouds cleared, and a burst of sunshine greeted then - Majesties on stepping into the State coach. The Australian cadets ana New Zealanders presented arms until the coach passed. The Life Guardsmen were drawn up at the Palace gates leading into the Mall, where the King was! welcomed by the shouts of the populace, led by the boys from the Duke of York’s school and the Greenwich Naval School, and pensioners, who were seated on a circular terrace surrounding the Victoria memorial. An exciting incident occurred as the procession was- leaving the palace. The restive horse of an officer of the Indian contingent riding past at the head of the King, toppled backwards over the rider, crushing his helmet. The crowd believed him to be killled, but the officer rose, and insisted on remounting, the crowd cheering. ' , . , ... Australians began to gather at the Stafford Stand at 4 o clock 3 and it was crowded by 8 o’clock. They greeted their Majesties’ children and the Colonial contingent with “Coo-ee’s.” , There were thousands of gailv-clad sightseers on the stands about the Memorial Arch at the end of the" Mall, where the gates were swung open, tlieir Majesties using them for the first time. . Thirty thousand people had gathered on the stands ana pavements m the vicinity of Parliament Square, including 2500 at Westminstei Hospital, where from £lO to £25 apiece was paid for seats. . . Ten thousand boy scouts assisted the ambulance corps in supplying the crowds with water. . .. The return journey was accomplished without incident. At 2.0 U their Majesties were'crowned, and later appeared for several minutes at the Palace and bowed to the cheering populace. The troops caught the enthusiasm, and without orders joined ill the demonstrations, the officers drawing swords and waving them aloft. , . _ ~ . . T 1 ri There were rejoicings in every town and village in Britain and Ii eland. All were be-flagged, and in most places the Mayors of Corporations attended the services at the ca'fhed rials and parish churches. Many oaks were planted in the parks. School children were entertained at tea and sports, and aged pensioners were feasted, the festivities concluding with fireworks and bonfires. Forty-seven Crimean and Mutiny Veterans were banquetted. At Birmingham 100,000 children received medals. The children a.t Bournemouth and other places organised Empire pageants, including representatives of every colony. Groceries were distributed to 14,000 Bristol aged poor. There was a “Lady Godiva” procession at Coventry. At Liverpoof 545,000 Georgian halfpennies were distributed among children, and at Newcastle 50,000 beakers were given to children. The celebrations in Scotland and Ireland were less elaborate, as they are awaiting their Majesties’ coming in July. Highland sports were general throughout Scotland. The Protestant churches in Ireland used the special Coronation service and anthems. „ „ ... . , . „ m. The Fleet and foreign warships at Spithead were dressed in flags, ihe vessels and garrison batteries fired royal salutes at midday. Messrs. McGowen and Murray, Sir Wm. Lyne, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, Sir John and Lady Forrest, and other overseas members of Parliament, were in the. gallery of the corner nave of the northern transept, and had an excellent view of the. ceremony. Madame Melba was included in the King’s box. . . The Duke of Norfolk specially invited Mr. Wicks, a nonagenarian, who was a-chorister at the funeral of George the Fourth, and was present at the coronations of William, Victoria, and Edward. . _ The Prince of Wales, in the robes of the Garter, led the procession of British royalties in the Abbey. His brothers were in Highland costume. Princess Mary had a long velvet train and a small coronet. The Prince of Wales was seated in front of the peers, and as each princess passed he bowed acknowledging obeisance. After the Prince of Wales had recited the homage, lie kissed the King, and retired, bowing profoundly. His father drew the Prince towards .mm, warmly kissing him, and placing liis hand beneath the boy s chin. V lth a further obeisance the Prince retired. It transpires that it was Capt. Maccoran, commanding the Canadian Mounted Rifles, escorting the King to Westminster Abbey, who was thrown from his horse. He suffered injuries to his body, and was conveyed to „lie Hiving to the rain to-night the fleet illuminations at Portsmouth have Mr. Chas. Radford, a prominent, townsman of Lymeregis, was flung a salute when the cannon exploded, killing him.

LONDON A BLAZE OF LIGHT. (Received June 23, 5.30 p.m.) op . 1 LONDON, June 23. It is announced that neither the King nor the Queen suffered any undue fatigue from the day’s ceremonies. • ■ • p i ' They spent the afternoon quietly at home, and dined w ltli the Royal auests staying at Buckingham. When the button was pressed the fusion lowered the Newfoundland Home Stone into position. The King sent a message of his high appreciation of Dr. Grenfell’S work, and referred to the aiduous lives of the Newfoundland fishermen. Queen Alexandra and Queen Mary attended a special Coronation seiyice at the Sandringham Church, and 1400 adults and children from the Sandringham Estate were entertained, by King George s and Queen Mary s older, at dinner and tea, also with sports, and they received gilts. During the dinner Queen Alexandra and Queen Mary, with the Royal princes, visited them, an conversed with many of them. Queen Alexandra also permitted them to visit the gardens and grounds adjoining Sandringham House. , , , Unprecedentedly large and enthusiastic, though orderly, throngs, stretching from the city to the West End,, witnessed the illuminations,; which were the most brilliant on record. There were many fresh and ingenious adaptations of electrical contrivances, and all the principal buildings over a large part of London were a blaze of light. . , , The thoroughfares were almost impassable for hours. thousands took up their positions at midnight to await to-day’s procession, while thousands of people thronged the approaches to Buckingham Palace m the evening. The Prince of Wales, who wore a naval uniform, repeatedly waved his hand from an upper window in response to the cheers of the crowd, who sang “Rule Britannia” and "God Save the King.” Cant. Macowan, who fractured lus skull by falling from his horse, waS the only oiie of the military to come to grief, ivhilst the casualties amongst the. general public were the smallest on record ‘ ' - ' During a procession through the streets at Barnstable a timmplial aich of timber, wreathed with evergreens and flags, fell, killing a woman, while several others -were pinned beneath the wreckage and grievously injured. A horse drawing a van bolted through a children’s .procession at Cowes, and a girl was killed. , , . A: i , > ~ - During a fancy dress parade the driver of a decorated car fell off, and was run over and killed. . , AX - In many instances m the English provinces, the Anglicans and Nonconformists joined in united services at the parish churches, hut at Worcester some friction with the Cathedral Chapter led the Mayor and Corporation to attend the Wesleyan Church instead of the Cathedral : A slight shower fell at 8 o’clock m London. Mr. Asquith’s little son, Anthony, at 10 o’clock telephoned to the Festival of Empire, giving word

for the signal for the home country’s bonfires. His message said that he hoped that the rocket which was fired at the Festiavl of Empire, besides lighting the Coronation beacons throughout England, would landle m all hp'irffresh fires of love and devotion to the King and the Empire. . . It is estimated that there were 3000 bonfires, and. they were like miniature volcanoes, from John o’ Groats, to Land s End There ™ ere of Irish hills ablaze, and London was surrounded by fires. There were 68 m Cornwall, and from Devonshire a chain of light extended through Dorsetshire and Gloucestershire to the Malvern Hills. The whole _ country s salient features were similarly outlined, while fires everywhere fringed the coasts. There were eighty-six beacons in. Cavan County (Ireland) alone. (Received Juno 23, 10.30 P..n>.) j jon j, Jnne 23 . A contributor to the “Times” remarks that-those who remember the late King Edward’s Coronation would be bound to observe that the main characteristic feature of. yesterday’s ceremony was the part given to the Oversea dominions. Their flags were- waving beside those of the United. Kingdom, ond the order of their banners constituted one of the most r markable symbols, such as might well he expected at the Coronation of s. “Sailor King.” Britain is in possession of colonies whose undying resources and even young powers would assure her of perpetual greatness.