KINGLY MIEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 168, 17 July 1936, Page 8

KINGLY MIEN.

HEROIC COMPOSURE. His Majesty Preserves Calm Dignity. ROUND OF GOLF FOLLOWS. United Press Association. —Copyright. (Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 16. In the pleasant three-bordered avenue of Constitution Hill, leading from Hyde Park Corner to Buckingham Palace, thousands of men, women and children were gathered to see the King ride at the head of his Guards. Bright sunshine flooded the sanded road as horsemen in scarlet uniform came slowly into view.

With superb dignity the King rode forward, the Duke of York just behind him, as crowds began to cheer. Then swiftly the amazing thing happened. There was a glittering flash through the air, and a shining object fell at the feet of the King's horse. A terrific struggle broke out in the crowd, while straight to the spot galloped a mounted policeman, who leapt from his saddle into a seething mass and caught hold of sl md.il. .

Meanwhile another mounted policeman had galloped from the other side of the road and, jumping down, picked up the shining object just behind the King. It was a nickle-plated revolver.

The hubbub in the crowd became intense, but through all this astounding incident and ensuing confusion, the King rode on, unperturbed, preserving a dignity which will never be forgotten by those who saw it.

When the revolver fell, the horse twitched in alarm. The King cheeked it with masterly hand on the reins, looked sideways for a moment at the scene beside th& road, then gazed straight ahead, chin up, mouth firm, shoulders squared.

He proceeded slowly and calmly, with magnificent poise and perfect composure, and took up his post to receive the salute of the Guards, who followed him.

For 20 minutes the King sat Lis horse outsider the sunny Palace, while battalion after battalion marched past with their accustomed precision. On the King's face there wns 110 tremor of emotion; no sign of the experience he had just undergone. His Majesty returned to St. James' Palace, had luncheon, then, after giving attention to urgent papers, drove to Coombehill for a round of golf.