GIFT OF PLAYING FIELDS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 129, 4 June 1927, Page 9

GIFT OF PLAYING FIELDS

REPLY TO LORD MAYOR OF

LONDON

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, 3rd June. The King celebrated his 62nd birthday to-day. ..Royal salutes were fired in London and at Windsor and at the naval ports and at all army depots. At Portsmouth the visiting French squadron, as well as British ships, were dressed.

On the occasion of his birthday, the King has placed two of the Eoyal paddocks of Hampton Court at the disposal of the National Playing Fields' Association for public playing fields for boys and girls. This is the King's response to the association's appeal for £1,000,000 and many acres wherewith to increase the open spaces available for games.

The King has addressed the following reply to the message of good wishes sent by tin Lord Mayor of London on the occasion of His Majesty's birthday: "Another anniversary of my birthday has been gladdened by tho message of loyal and affectionate greetings which you have conveyed from the citizens of London. As life goes on, I more than ever appreciate these proofs of sympathy and goodwill, especially when coming from the great city which is the'heart of the British race. "With feelings of sincere gratitude I thank you, my Lord Mayor " This evening Sir Austen Chamberlain, Foreign Secretary, entertained the Diplomatic Corps to a banquet at the Foreign Office in honour of the King's birthday. Before the war this banquet was given every year. Now, for the first time since the war, it took place with its former brilliance.