MOURNING ROYALTY

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 101, 23 January 1936, Page 10

MOURNING ROYALTY

Wellington Nearly Had a “Purple Famine” PAST OBSERVANCES Three times in tbe preseut century N'ew Zealand has gone into mourning Cor a sovereign—for Queen Victoria, for King Edward VII, and for King George V. Wheu Queen Victoria died on January 22, 1901, there was a remarkable public demonstration of unashamed grief. "Regret Queen Dead” was the brief announcement received from the Agent-General in Loudon, and the news was spread in Wellington by the tolling of the bell in the General Post Office. It is recorded that the\ community was "almost stunned by the heavy blow” aud that in the streets ‘‘women burst into tears.” Despite heavy rain thousands assembled in the streets to read the notices posted outside newspaper offices and in other prominent places in Wellington. How deep was the sincerity of the feelings of the community at the death of a woman who had become almost a legendary figure was illustrated by the fact that even in private homes blinds were drawn over the windows for days afterward aud for over a week women in the streets wore half mourning. Meu bad black tics Instead of coloured ones and many wore bows of black ribbon in the lapels of their coats. Arm bands of black were common among women.

A national day of mourning was proclaimed the day after receipt of the news and public offices wpre closed for three days. Government buildings aud business premises were heavily draped, but many in black and white, linen and sateen being used, instead of black and purple. The General Post Office clock was muffled when chiming and striking for over a week and on all flagstalls prescribed procedure was followed in signifying mourning. On Sunday special services were held in all churches, the Rev. A. W. IL Compton preaching at St. Pauls ProCathedral, the Rev. W. Hooper, D.D., at St. Peter’s, the Rev. R. Coffey at St. Mark's, Archbishop Redwood at St. Joseph's, Father J. Moloney at St. Mary’s, and Rabbi 11. Yau Stavcren at the Synagogue. Au interesting aud unusual consequence of the observation of general mourning was that the Sixth Contingent left for the South African War without ceremony, marching from Newtown Park to the Basin Reserve and then to the wharf, where there were only short, speeches. There was no farewell dinner, no' playing of bands, the men just tiling quietly on to their ship and sailing without the beat of a drum. The Sixth Contingent was dubbed. in consequence, "The Silent Sixth.” i The proclamation ceremony otj King Edward VII was notable for the fact that Sir Joseph Ward climbed the steps of Parliament Buildings on crutches to read the official pronouncement A few days before he had been thrown heavily when about to mount 'his horse Awarua, near Parliament Buildings, when th c animal reared after taking fright at a vehicle moving toward it. Sir Joseph Ward, though he did not sleep that night, nevertheless insisted on attending at the wharf next day to help farewell the Sixth Contingent Lord Ranfurly, perhaps most remembered -to-day as thc donor of the shield which excites such keen competition among Rugby Unions, was a signatory to the proclamation. Death of King Edward. When King Edward died on May 5, 1910, the news was conveyed in an extraordinary dispatch received by the United Press Association, saying "King died midnight,” and a confirmatory official announcement was giveu by Sir Joseph Ward from Invercargill. The news was received just after lunch ou a Saturday afternoon and Sir Thomas Wilford, then Mayor of Wellington, performed the rather astounding feat of personally telephoning every hotel and club in the city, asking that business be suspended for the rest of the day, a request which was instantly and unanimously acceded to. In Wellington, in response to official suggestions, many businesses which would ordinarily have remained open, also closed for the afternoon, including the shops of several Chinese and Italians. A national day of mourning was proclaimed and schools were closed. It is considered that only the popularity of such shades as amethyst, burgundy, prune aud heliotrope iu dress materials saved a purple famine on this occasion in Wellington. Shopkeepers were able to meet many calls Cor mourning drapiugs through having stocks of purple Ihiings, but even witli this reserve thc rush was so great that when the Public Works Department sought to secure supplies for draping the Government Buildings all available stocks had bccu sold except short lengths of indifferent shades, and several official buildings were finally hung with black aud uo purple. Again there were memorial church services and, in addition, an unusual observance in the form of mourning sittings of the Supreme Courts iu Wellington, Christchurch, Auckland and Dunedin, Sir Robert Stout giving the main address in Wellington. The proclamation ceremony for King George V at Parliament Buildings was attended by over 3000 people, including, as representatives of the Maori race, Sir James Carroll and Sir Apiraua Ngata. The attendance was considered very large in view of the boisterous southerly with heavy rainsqualls. Lord Plunket was unable to be preseut through illness. King George, in his first speech, swore to abide by the declaration made by his father iu his first speech—“l will strive, as loug as there is breath in iny body, to promote the best interests of my people.” King Edward died at Sandringham, a:, did King George. His illness first became apparent iu Paris, where he had to leave a theatre in the course of thc presentation of a play. The trouble developed into bronchitis al Biarritz. It was thought that the cold snap experienced in England hastened his death after his holiday iu the warmer climate of France. He attended church at Sandringham on the Sunday, hut on the Monday developed nasal catarrh and bronchial irritation, and on the Tuesday had fits of violent coughing and an attack of heart failure. On the Wednesday, though very ill, he insisted on transacting public business, and "The Times” declared that he died as he would have wished —in harness.

A memorial .service for tbe late King will be held at tbe Wellington Synagogue at 10 a.m. ou Saturday. Similar services are beiug held by tlie Hebrew congregations throughout New Zealand,