LONDON JUBILATIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 May 1935, Page 7

LONDON JUBILATIONS

CROWDS MAINTAIN CARNIVAL

NATION-WIDE BONFIRES

[BY CABLE—PBEBS assn— copybioht.) LONDON, May 6 Punctually at 9.55 p.m., the “Master Bonfire” in Hyde Park leapt into flames amid a roar of cheering, in answer to the King at the Palace pressing a, button, thereby performing the" last official act of a momentous day. It was the signal for a chain of beacon fires to spring up at two thousand points throughout Britain, topping every famous peak. The London ring of hills alone had twenty-seven.

Edinburgh, with one pile blazing at Arthur’s Seat, could see fifty fires in five counties. Thousands of cheering people clustered on braesides to witness the spectacle. Many, went up in aeroplanes. The beacon at- Snaefell the highest mountain in the Isle of Man, was visible in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. The King sat alone in his study to deliver his Empire broadcast. There was a distinct touch of emotion in his voice as he thanked his subjects for their loyal greetings, but his tope firmed to intensity as he invited all to assist in grappling with unemployment. It was learned at the Palace tonight that the King was in no way distressed by the strain of. the eventful day, and retired in high spirits, delighted at the wonderful celebrations. , .. Princess Alice of Ath lone was the only participant ‘in the royal procession who was present at the Diamond jubilee. Princess Louise attended the Victorian festival, but she motored to the Cathedral to-day, apart from the procession, with her brother, the Duke of Connaught.

A JOVIAL CROWD. LONDON. May 6. The Jubilee crowds were in a mood wherein anything pleased them.. The sight of anything or anybody .remotely connected with the procession provoked applause. Community singing and military bands helped to relieve long waiting while those cut off ,by crowds from a view of the procession heard its progress by wireless. Whpn some decorations in Sono caught fire, the firemen had difficulty in reaching the scene, but the burning festoons were Quickly removed and replaced. Ludgate Circus was one of the most animated spots, and was? the scene of <in amusing contretemps, a glitteung army bandsman having to tail a prancing police horse which got entangled with his bassoon. WEST END REVELRIES. LONDON, May 7. Celebrations in the West End were continued until early hours Parties cruised in taxis, sitting on the roofs, singing and waving balloons, flags and Streamers. The whole of Piccadilly Circus was still choked-at - a.m., women predominating. Some persuaded the policemep to dance the ring-a-i ; oses. Thousands joined m chorusing at the foot of Nelson s 'Column. ■ , , Many of the merrymakers have not been to' bed since Saturday. The hotels and restaurants resembled vast familv parties. His Majestj's health ■was everywhere drunk. Midnight was greeted like the beginning of a new year. The cinemas were open until 3 3 m A doorkeeper at. a famous hotel who remembers Queen Victoria’s jubilee and later celebrations, said he had seen nothing to compare with tonight’s “whoopee.” Yet the vast crowds were orderly, and eventually went home quietly. Mr. R. MacDonald and Lord Londonderry, taking an aeroplane from Croydon after midnight, flew over London to see the illumination and distant beacons. Queues waited to secure similar flights.

ALL-NIGHT DANCING. t (Recd. May 8, 8 a.m.). LONDON, May 7, ( Dawn broke in the West End, with , men and women in evening dress, ( paper-hatted, dancing in Piccadilly , Circus to music of mouth-organs, and bagpipes. Taxis cruised the streets, the occupants singing “Rule Britan- ( nia,” and shouting “Long Live the ( King.” . . . Street cleaners are removing ankledeep debris. Tne hungry and tired jubilant crowds thronged restaurants for breakfast. A feature of the evening was the demonstration at the Palace, scores of thousands chanting in unison, ,Me want the King. We want the King. CASUALTIES FEW LONDON, May 7. It was revealed to-night that the members of the Saint John ambulance dealt with eight hundred cases, mostly faintings, among the crowds along the procession route, they being mostly due to long waits in the hot sun The majority quickly recovered. Forty were sent to hospital for further treatemont. Ono died. The worst accident during the celebrations occurred at Newcastle-on-Tyne, where two hundred men, women and children, despite warning notices, mounted an incomplete stand being erected for an agricultural show. Suddenly the stand gave way like a pack of cards. The people were pinned by the woodwork. Forty-eight were injured. eighteen of whom were sent to hospital. DINNER SPEECHES LONDON, May 6. I Mr. MacDonald, speaking at the j Government jubilee dinner emphasised; that through the troubled years of the I war and in the years when the na-j tion's qualities were tested to recov-l er from the economic destruction, the j King had been wearing a heavy crown | with real dignity, graciousness, human, understanding, feeling and anxiety.] His advisers had come and gone, but he had no respite, lie said. “We thank him for action and example and we also pay homage to her whose counsel and comfort have cheered him throughout his reign. May their years together be long and happy." “England and the English" was Rudyard Kipling's boast at the Royal Societv of Saint George dinner. He said that 750,000 of Britain's 800,000 dead In the war were Englishmen. Bri

, tain recently had realised her defenceless, and it had been arranged to remedy the more obvious deficiencies, but if the time were insufficient, Britain might join the submerged races of 'history. ' Our strength and hope was the ruling house, which, through mother, son and grandson, had met the hazards of the present, and had consolidated and prepared for the future. PRESS ESTIMATES LONDON, May 7. The “News-Chronicle” in a leading article declares the pageant was the most brilliant that London had evei seen, owing to the May sunshine, wellbehaved crowds, and efficient organisation. The “Daily Mail” in a leading article, asserts: “Nothing recorded in British history has been like to-day’s spectacle for clockwork efficiency, splendour and public enthusiasm. It realised Lord Bolingbroke’s dream of a patriot king leading a united people. It was a happy thought that the Dominion Premiers were assigned so important a part in the ceremony.” . The “Manchester Guardian” in a leading article welcomes a back ground of hope, purpose and peaceful traditions behind the .jubilee. “The Times” in a leading article says there was King’s weather abroad and in the hearts of the people, who in hailing His Majesty with the homely old chorus, “He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” indicated how much the monarchy means to Britain.

QUIET DAY AT PALACE I KING THANKS THE POLICE [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] RUGBY, May 7. The King and the Queen spent the day quietly at Buckingham Palace. It is authoritatively stated that neither had suffered any ill effects from the strain and excitements of Jubilee Day. This afternoon, the Queen went for a drive in the West End, and was heartily cheered by the crowd, which continued throughout the day in the neighbourhood of the Palace. Many members of the Royal family, including the Duke of Connaught called at the Palace, and saw Their Majesties, afterwards inspecting the many beautiful jubilee presents received from personal friends. , Their Majesties still have an arduous programme of engagements ahead, extending over a fortnight to three weeks. To-morrow, the King will drive to St. James’ Palace, where they will receive members of the Diplomatic Corps at a levee and. reception. The Prime Minister, • and the Brazilian Ambassador as doyen of the.Coips, will make addresses to the King, who will reply returning thanks to all those countries who congratulated him upon the attainment of his silver jubilee. Telegrams from all parts of the Empire and from communities abroad continue to be received in their hundreds.

London’s celebrations, which continued until the early morning, when many streets* both in the East and West End were filled with singing and dancing crowds, were resumed this evening, when more sightseers came to inspect the decorations and charming floodlighting effects in the parks and on the main buildings.

The complete success with which the Jubilee crowds were good-temper-ed and unostentatiously handled by the police aroused general admiration, especially of visitors to London. To-day, the King sent a .message of appreciation and thanks for the ‘excellent police arrangements made for the visit to St. Paul’s, and for the safety and comfort of the public, to the Commissioner of Police, for the City of London. About £IO,OOO will be available for charity as the result of the sale of grandstand seats for the public procession. Of 26,000 available, 6000 had been placed at the disposal of the British Charities’ Association, and any surplus after the meeting of the cost of erecting the other 20,000, also goes to charity. There will be further pageantry this week when on Thursday, the King proceeds to Westminster Hall to receive a loyal address from both Houses of Parliament.

PRINCE’S PARTY LONDON, May 7. , Thousands tumultuously greeted Their ' Majesties when they appeared on the palace balcony at 9.50 to-night. The singing of the national anthem and “Rule Britannia,” and cheering was heard as far as Piccadilly. The streets were again crammed with people. Thousands of buses and cars blocked the crossings in the West End. Forty tons of rubbisji, largely papers, were collected in Westminster and proportionate quantities elsewhere. The Underground railways broke all records carrying 2$ million people last night and early to-day. The principal social event to-night was the Prince of Wales’s Jubilee Party at St. James’s Palace. The Prince, wearing orders and decorations in evening dress, stood at the grand staircase, and shook hands with twelve hundred guests, including Roy alties, Members of the Cabinet, Dominion Premiers and their wives and other distinguished people. Highwater mark of foreign compliments to the King’s broadcast, was paid in a telegram from Vienna read- ' ing: "It was the most beautiful speech ever delivered by a King, a truly Royal utterance. Just because it was so unroyal, it was a speech of a good ! man.” ! Mr. Forbes to-night broadcast his im--1 pression of the Jubilee and outlined I New Zealand's major economic ; troubles, and tile manner in which j they hud been overcome, putting the i Dominion in the way of recovery. ULSTER REJOICINGS. I LONDON. May G. I All classes of the community in Ulster. except the extreme Republicans, j joined heartily in rejoicing. Free State J people deprived of an opportunity of attending celebrations on their native

soil, participated in a sort of jubilee at, Strabane, whither hundreds crossed the border and helped to ignite a bonfire on Mount, KnockavW. FREE STATE’S SECRET GIFT LONDON, May 7. The “Daily Mail” says that over sixty thousand persons subscribed to a Free State people’s “secret" gift to their Majesties. i Canon Luce, in a sermon at Trinity College, Dublin, said: “To forsake the King is a step towards forsaking God in a world seething with neo-pagan thought. The King and Commonwealth stand like a rock for Christian principles.” U.S.A. APPRECIATION. NEW YORK, May 6. Numerous churches throughout the nation held thanksgiving services, tire “New York Sun” struck a typical editorial note: “King George received merited 'avowals of affection and respect from his subjects, and from peoples of other nations, and tributes of admiration are inspired by the fortitude, sympathy and goodness in will and deed, that are so frequently displayed in the performance of his duties to the Empire.” FOREIGN INTEREST LONDON, May 6. Cables from abroad relate how the celebrations were carried on all day. British naval and military stations throughout Europe held their own commemorations, chiefly church services and receptions, while many countries were unprecedentedly interested in the London celebrations. Thousands of Parisians in cafes listened to an eloquent broadcast description of the St. Paul’s service. The British Ambassador, giving- a reception in the evening, exhibited Aims of the functions specially sent by aeroplane to Paris. German newspapers published long accounts, heralded by front page streamers. JAPANESE CONGRATULATIONS LONDON,- May 7. M. Matsudaira. addressing 150 at the Japanese Club, assembled to celebrate the. jubilee, recalled, the cordial relations of the Anglo-Japanese rulinghouses, and many signs proving AngloJapanese friendliness. The members received the speech with shouts of “Banzai,” and sent telegrams of congratulations to His Majesty. SYDNEY FESTIVITIES. SYDNEY, May 7. In continuance of the Jubilee celebrations, a garden party was held at Government House to-day; two thousand citizens and Consuls attending. There was a police carnival in the showgrounds to-night. The weather was fine and mild. CONSULS’ PROTEST. (Recd. May 8, 8 a.m.). MELBOURNE, May 7. Members of the Victorian Consular Corps did not attend the King’s Jubilee levee, held at Government House, to-day, their reason being that they were slighted by the treatment received on the occasion of the. visit of the Duke of Gloucester, when they had to fight their way into the levee, and take the last-’place in the rank of precedence, such treatment being a breach of international courtesy. Mr. W. York Syme, Honorary Consul to Japan, and the Italian Consul, however, attended, individually, to-day. REPLY TO GENERAL BOOTH. SUVA, May 7. Replying to General Booth’s congratulatory message, the King said: “I am much gratified to receiv e the message of congratulation which you have sent me on my silver jubilee, and I warmly thank all who joined in these good wishes.”

MR. RANSOM’S MESSAGE.

WELLINGTON, May 7.

The message spoken by the ActingPrime Minister (Mr. Ransom) during the chain of broadcast of greetings to the King, early this morning, was as follows: —The Dominion of New Zealand warmly appreciates the privilege of joining in this Empire-wide, broadcast, in celebration of the silver jubilee of his Majesty King George. New Zealand, the Britain of the South, prides itself on its British descent, and on its devotion to the Crown and all tlie British Commonwealth of Nations. In no part of the King’s Dominions, is there a fuller or more heartfelt appreciation of the selfless way in which His Majesty has performed the duties of his exalted office. As representative- of every section of the people of New Zealand, both pakeha and Maori 1 extend our most affectionate and respectful congratulations to His Majesty and the Queen, and express our very earnest prayer that they may long be spared to continue their beneficient efforts to the good of all British peoples.