TOPICS of the DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 161, 9 July 1910, Page 11

TOPICS of the DAY.

(From Our Special Correspondent.) LONDON, May 27. THE AFTERMATH. After the strain of the past fortnight, culminating in the day of national mourning which marked King Edward's funeral, London has returned this week to its normal life. But not with its normal vigour. There is a distinct lull in its activities, a sense of reaction in it* atmosphere.

The thoughtful consideration of the King and Queen in shortening the period of mourning on the part of the people has been welcomed by manufacturers and shopkeepers.

No sooner was the reduction announced this week than beautiful greys and helio- ; tropes appeared in the West End shop windows, where a day before there was only unrelieved black. Given bright summer weather in June, the prospects for shopkeepers will now be much more hopeful. After the middle of the month, fixtures postponed by the death of King Edward are to take place, including the Army Pageant, and various gardenparties, two or three charity fetes at the Eoyal Botanic Society's grounds, and many regattas up the Thames. One way and another, the season is not likely to prove nearly so disastrous to trade as was at first .expected when the news of the King's death' brought London to a standstill. Quite a number of Antipodean visitors, by the way, especially New Zealanders, have expressed surprise to mc at the wealth of colour- which marked the noble obsequies of King Edward.- Some of them seemed really shocked at the splendour of the pageantry associated with the solemn rites of death. "I have been more impressed," said one lady to. mc, "by a simple hearse with one-car-riage following it than I was by all that display of magnificence." That may well be, but it does not follow that she would have been impressed if the funeral cortege of the ruler of- the British Empire had consisted of a hearse and one carriage. King Edward was a great figure in the world, and it was fitting that his last home-coming should be attended with eveiy mark of circumstance and stately ceremonial. No healthy-minded person cares to see a morbid attitude displayed towards death. The days of black plumes for hearses, and hired mourners paid to; wail out lamentations, are happily past. There was something really fine about: the triumphant note struck by last TPiii. day's splendid pageant. A jjreat career had come to its natural close, in peace, honour and contentment. The magnificent funeral procession was a tribute to the greatness of the honoured dead, and, it may well have symbolised that faith in immortality which robs the grave of its victory -and death of its sting. IN HIS FATHER'S FOOTSTEPS. '■ Though passionately fond of shooting, and addicted to many other forms of sport, King George has never evinced any particular bent towards horse racing, the sport that undoubtedly his father loved above all others, and many people feared that the present King might de-j cide to disperse the royal racing stable; at Newmarket, and possibly the breed-J ing stud at Sandringham also, both having been bequeathed to him .by King Edward. . . . ' , Now, however, these fears nave been removed, by an official notification that it is King George's intention to carry on both establishments on the same lines as in the past. This announcement has been received with, joy in. racing circles, but in certain' other-cpjarteis j the-BjDgfedecisicrn to^foi--.

low in his father's footsteps has given the reverse, of satisfaetion,"anclit is'said that His Majesty is being bombarded with reproaches and remonstrances for becoming a. patron of such a wicked sport. King Edward had a similar experience when he ascended the throne. Hundreds of letters' were sent to him beseeching him to withdraw the light of his countenance from the turf and all its wickedness. The King answered by deed, not words. If anything, he became a more ardent follower of "the great game," seldom missing any important meeting at Newmarket, Epsoni, Ascot, Goodwood, or Doneaster. When he died he left twenty-seven horses in training at Egerton House, Newmarket, under the care of Mr Richard Marsh, .and a choice collection of thirteen brood mares, and numerous highly-bred yearlings at the Sandringham stud larm, which he established in 1887. 'Of the horses in training the best known is Minora, "which won the Derby last year. This horse was not King Edward's absolute property, but -was leased from Colonel Hall Walker, and may not again sport the royal colours. Other fairly good performers arc Perrier, a iive-year-olil horse by Persimmon, and Princesse do GaUes, a four-year-old filly. Of the rest of the la±e<KLog's horses in training it may 'be said that, they havo still to earn their keep.. Among them is Witch of the Air, a two-yeaT-old iilly which won- a small race at Kempton Park on the very- day King Edward died. Owing to the death of King Edward all nominations made in his name are, of course, void, and. the royal colours will not be seen on the turf this season. It is, however, understood that the King's horses are not to eat off their heads in idleness, and that the whole of the racers have been leased to the Earl o-f Derby, and will run in his colours in any events in which they may take ptrt this year. THE KING'S INCOME. Financial provision for Queen Alexandra has already been, made by Statute, .and, in addition to hex private means and any provision King Edward may have made from his personal estate, the Queen Mother, now enjoys an income of £70,000-per annum. The Civil List provision for King Ed-, ward lapsed with his death, and King George now enters into possession of the Drown revenues. .He can, if he likes, retain them, and under the legal powers of a life tenant he would be quite within his rights 'in granting building, leases over the.whole.of the royal parks. There is, of course, no fear of the King even entertaining for a fraction of a second such an idea. He will no doubt follow the example of his..immediate predecessors, and relinquish his own personal life interest in these revenues in return for. the grant of a Civil List during the rest of his life. Provision will also need to be made for the children of the King and Queen. This may be done immediately or the matter may be postponed in view of the fact that the Duke of Cornwall is : pTov;ded for to a certain extent by the revenues of his duchy, and that his brotliers and sister will not need any special provision for some years to come.,