RECORD OFFICE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 192, 27 May 1938, Page 8

RECORD OFFICE.

SIGNATURE OF MONARCHS. Royal signatures in an unbroken .line from Richard IT. to George V. can be seen at tbo Museum of the Public Record Chancery Lane. There is only one specimen of the! signature of George VI., on the Coronation Roll kept in a separate case with that of George V.’s Coronation Roll, states the "Daily Telegraph.” Hitherto there has only been space to show in frames on the pedestal Royal signatures from Richard 11. to Charles 11. In consequence of reconstruction the double pedestal now carries added frames', in which are shown the signatures of Richard Cromwell—Richard P.—one each of William 111., Mary 11., Anne, the first three Georges, George IV., and Victoria in 1889. In the signature of Edward VII. the style is “R. and I.” superseded in George V.’s signature by “R.J.” On the frames also are more records relating to the Dominion and Colonies, including Livingstone’s dispatch relating his meeting with Stanley in 1871. There is also an emigrant’s application for passage to New Zealand in 1841, in which are asked the questions: “Is he sober?” “Is he honest?” “Is lie industrious?” In the special exhibition cases are shown documents connected with the 150th anniversary of the first settlement in Australia., including a sketch of Sydney Cove, Port Jackson, dated 1788.'

The addition of documents to the frames bad left more room for the rolls and charters in the show eases. These are now shown to better advantage, being slipped through threads sewn on cardboard instead of fixed in the old way of drawing pins and tape. This year marks the centenary of the Public Record office, and a special exhibition will bo arranged to celebrate it.