DURBAR IN INDIA?

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 28, 3 February 1936, Page 7

DURBAR IN INDIA?

King-Emperor May Pay Visit Next Autumn. QUESTION OF DOMINION TOUR. (Received 10 a.m.) LONDON, February 2. The "Scotsman" says it is understood that King Edward may visit India in the autumn of 1937 in response to the desire of all parties and creeds that the new King-Emperor should hold a Durbar as did the late King George in the winter of 1011. The paper says the suggestion of a tour of the Dominions is impracticable owing to the fact that it would involve a prolonged absence from Britain, but a visit to India could bo carried out in less time and could be followed by special visits to the Dominions as opportunity offered in succeeding years. Queen Mary left Buckingham Palace for the first time since the late King's funeral. She was accompanied by King Haakon Of Norway, the Princess Royal and the Earl of Harewood. The party motored to Aklershot, where they lunched with the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, who have taken up residence at the Royal Pavilion while the Duke attends the Staff College at Camberley. As the haunting notes of "Lights Out," softly sounded on trumpets amid a chorus of muted strings, died away, a distinguished audience, at an In Memoriam concert in the Albert Hall, stood in silence as a tribute to the late King George. It was the conclusion of the first performance of "Melody in C," which Sir Walford Davies, Master of the King's Musick, composed "in devout memory to King George." Sir Walford sat beside the late King in the Royal box at a command performance in celebration of the Silver Jubilee. He has now expressed in solemn harmonies the inspired scenes of the King's funeral, "out of respect and admiration of his late Majesty and gratitude for his help to music in England." The London Philharmonic Orchestra also performed Dr. Elgar's "Elegiac movement," written in memory of Edward VII., and the Royal Choral Society sang Brahms' "Requiem," in which Mr. Harold Williams was soloist. A special exhibition of documents relating to the late King George was opened in Paris yesterday morning. ROYAL WREATHS. PILGRIMAGE TO WINDSOR. (Received 2 p.m.) LONDON, February 2. From dawn - to dusk to-day a continual stream of 130,000 people, aggregating 250,000 since Wednesday, filed past the wreaths sent to the funeral of King George, which arc still laid out in the grounds of Windsor Castle. Pilgrims came both by rail and road. A temporary car park covered 12 miles. Many visitors brought posies of violets, which they laid down among the wreaths. At nightfall 20,000 still filled the two-mile queue, and the police decided not to close the castle. Latecomers secured a fleeting glimpse of the flowers by torchlight. It was subsequently announced that the wreaths will continue on view to-morrow.