A NEW ALBANIA.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 73, 27 March 1929, Page 23

A NEW ALBANIA.

BATHTUBS AND PHONES.

DAGGERS UNFASHIONABLE.

KING ZOGU'S CORONATION,

Bathtubs are making their first appearance in Albania's capital, along with electric lights and telephones. A trolley line hae been projected and a modern hotel and a new hospital are beinoerected. _ These changes are part of the preparations for the coronation of King Zogu. an event which has now been set for April. In its effort to get ready to entertain adequately the representatives of foreign Governments who are exfor the coronation, the Government is constructing a new royal residence and many other buildings and is rebuilding an old narrow guage military railway which wae first laid down by the Austrians. This road, running from Tirana to tne port of Durrazo, k the only rail line in the country. The westernising process'has been extended to other things than roads and buildings. Formerly Albanians were afraid to venture on the streets after dark unless they were- well equipped with daggere and a full complement of firearme. Now they go about armed only with canes or umbrellas. The coronation proper us to take place at Kruya, and Italian army engineers are constructing a new macadamised road so that Zogu and hie court may ride over it in state to the coronation place. Kruya in olden times was Croia, or "the White Castle." It was the stronghold of Scanderbeg, the fourteenth century Albanian leader who made himself the all-time national hero bv his victories over the Turks. The town iis built on a mountainous epur of rock, which riisee 500 feet above the plain on three eides. King "Zogu has already had a, new throne erected in the present twostorey palace. It is simple in design. but ie of solid mahogany. A eet of Louie XV. furniture had also been installed in the royal residence.