DUKE IN TEARS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 306, 27 December 1928, Page 7

DUKE IN TEARS.

ANXIETY FOR KING.

Unrecognised On Visit To Itoywr Patient.

CONSCIOUSNESS AND COMA

(Australian and N.Z. Press Association.)

(Received 9.30 a.m.)

LONDON, December 26.

After consultation with his colleagues Lord Dawson of Penn indicated in a statement to newspapermen that the King was slightly improved. Lord Dawson said: "There is a slight improvement both in the local and general condition, it being part of a slow forward movement."

Sir Stanley Hewett and Sir Hugh participated in the consultation. A moderate crowd had gathered before the Palace despite heavy rain.

There is little doubt expressed, however, that the King's condition is still serious. The anxiety of the Palace staff could readily be seen beneath their attempt to appear happy over the holidays.

The King has been alternating, as hh physicians early predicted, between states of consciousness and coma, and servants recently saw the Duke of York in tears outside the sickroom after his father had been unable to recognise him.

In the churches throughout the country on Christmas Day prayers were offered for the recovery of the King. At St. Coluniba's Presbyterian Church,"Pont Street, Dr. Archibald Fleming said that on each day of his illness the people had learned to honour the King more, and to count his life more precious, and they Would pray, more earnestly than ever: "God Save the King."

SLOW PROCESS.

Recovery Expected To Be Very Prolonged. QUEEN'S TOUCHING REPLY. (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) (Received 11.30 a.m.) 1 LONDON, December 26. It is authoritatively learnt that there is a further slight improvement in the King's condition, both' local and general. It is emphasised that the improvement, though clearly discernible, is very slight. The progress of the mending is going to be a long one.

Lord Dawson, Sir Hugh Rigby and Sir Stanley Hewett consulted for an hour and a-half before noon.

The Queen in replying to Mr. Mackenzie King's message of sympathy on behalf of Canada, said: "The message of greetings will be highly appreciated and valued by His Majesty when his progress towards recovery is sufficiently advanced for him to receive it personally. The expressions of the love and devotion of the Canadian people, tjie knowledge of their prayers and sympathetic solicitude during the past anxious and their messages and the note of joy and thankfulness to God for the King's hopeful condition, touch me profoundly on this Christmas morning by the children. I thank you from our kearts and I look forward to the day when the King will be cheered and •trengthened by this testimony that the keart of Canada is with him in weal aurl !*oe."