THE KING AND QUEEN'S VISIT TO SHEFFIELD.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 164, 11 July 1919, Page 7

THE KING AND QUEEN'S VISIT TO SHEFFIELD.

VISIT TO THE FAMOUS WORKS OF WALKER AND HALL. With the coining of Peace, Their Majesties the Quooii anil Queen have taken the first opportunity to visit Sheffield, that great centre of industry which has through sheer hard work and devotion to a large extent nnide possible the victory for the Allied Armies. The first impression the King anil Queen received, on arrival, of the wonderful industry of Sheffield was their visit to the famous works of Walker and Hall, silversmiths, cutlers, etc., of Howard Street. From the time of their arrival to their departure from the works their interest certainly never waned. At 10 o'clock on May 20th the King and Queen and Royal party were received by the head of the firm, Lieut.Colonel Sir Albert K. Bingham. Bart., who presented Lady Bingham and Dowager Lady Bingham. Their Majesties signed the visitors' book, observed the welcome of a few privileged people in the entrance hall, and then passed to the real business of the visit. From that time until the street was again readied there was no inactive moment for any member of the party. Her Majesty, who had accepted the gift of a cabinet of cutlery from the linn, was able to observe some of the blades which form part of thp cabinet ill process of manufacture. The plating shops had special interest for Their Majesties, and here the Queen was able to gild an inkstand, which will be presented to the King, and also to (lip a tankard, which the firm will retain as a memento of the visit. As to the Queen's gilding activities, it is interesting to remark that the inkstand their Majesties used in signing the visitors' book was gilded by Her Majesty on her last visit to Sheffield, when Duchess of York. Their Majesties were specially interested in tie design of a bronze shield which is borne on the forecar of H.M. airship R33. This ship is a sister ship to K:>4, which recently crossed the Atlantic. They were also able to see the silver and gold casket which is to be presented to Admiral Sir David Beatty. I Possibly ihe greatest work on hand, and of which the King made special inquiry, was a silver military centrepipec, intended for mi officers' mess. Its design is striking and impressive. It includes scenes of actual recent fighting, besides symbolic figures of perfect workmanship. OLD HAXDB. Apart from the purely industrial visit to Messrs. Walker and Hall's establishment, perhaps the most remarkable incidents were towards the close, ■when a parade of a little party of Indian Mutiny veterans was helrl in the showroom, this valiant remnant of that brave band in which the late Sir John Bingham took such a keen interest. They are the last of a 'brave band which numbered 107. when the King and Queen, then Duke and Duchess of York, visited Sheffield in 1595. Sir Albert Bingham was able to present a number of the long-service workpejple. The average length of service for these men -was 44 years, and the average length for the women presented was 37 years. This in itself speaks' well for the firm of Walker and Hall. Upon leaving the works Their Majesties expressed the great pleasure the visit had given them, and the meeting of so many old veterans was especially pleasant.— (Ad.)