AWAITING THE NEWS

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 17, 21 January 1936, Page 10

AWAITING THE NEWS

ANXIOUS PUBLIC

The affection with which 'the reigning Sovereign was held in the hearts of his people in the furthest corners of the Empire has been reflected during ■(■he last few hours in the city of Wellington. During the whole of the morning, from the time it was realised that it was only a matter of hours before J£ing George passed away,' a large crowd was assembled opposite "The Post" window anxiously scanning the latest bulletins.

"The King's life is moving peacefully ■fowards its close" prepared the public ■for the worst, and it was recognised that the end was only a matter of a

few Hours. Rumours were naturally rife all the morning, and there .were many reports current as to the King's passing before that event actually took place. When the final fateful news was posted up shortly after 1 p.m., the crowd seemed stunned—the Illness haa been so short and it was hard to believe that the beloved King was really dead. There was a personal note about the loss sustained, one less pronounced when Queen Victoria or King Edward passed away. King George was known personally to many New Zealanders, for he had visited the colony before ascending the Throne. And, what is more, the many thousands of the nation's manhood who had served overseas during the Great War had learned to regard their Sovereign as something a great deal more than a mere royal figurehead. The passing of King George has really meant something and has'touched the chords of the hearts of all New Zealanders. Although exceedingly brief, the announcement of the King's death seemed to have a hypnotising effect on the crowd. They lingered and read and reread the' announcement, and still lingered. Comments were few: the news seemed impossible to believe and yet it was there and authentic. But work had to be attended to as usual and the crowd kept perpetually changing its composition, although never dwindling. Long after the sad news was public property throughout the whole city there was still that dumbfounded crowd.

An incident in one of the picture theatres last night—doubtless repeated elsewhere —was symptomatic. Usually, when the National Anthem is played at the conclusion of the performance, there is a shuffling and a scampering to make an early exit. But not so last night. The crowd stood at reverent attention until the last bars had died away, and only then did the rush for the doors begin.

Within an hour of the news being received flags were flying at half-mast from all the city's principal buildings, and a number of churches had their bells tolled.

In addition to the instructions that were issued for the flying of flags halfmast, an order was sent out that bells on Government buildings should be tolled, first, a toll each minute for every year of his late Majesty's age, and, after an interval of three minutes, a toll for every year of the duration of his reign.

The New Zealand Ensign will be flown at half-mast on Government offices and on public buildings, and on the half yard, a foot above the flag, will be flown a black pennant. This will be observed every day until the close of the day of the funeral, with the exception that on the day of the accession of the new King the flag will be hoisted until sunset.