THE CORONATION.

Mataura Ensign, 30 January 1911, Page 3

THE CORONATION.

.SO-UVENIR CHAIRS. I The .preliminary work of .preparation for the coming Coronation is proceeding apace. It includes the making of a special carpet and the .arrangement of the seat accommodation in Westminster Abbey. It may lie remembered that at the Coronation <:i ,v.ng Edward and Queen Alexandra tnc special carpet covering the nave was of enormously long fibre surface. On this occasion a very splendid pile carpet, of remarkable and striking design, has been ordered. The weavers are to be '.Messrs Templeton, of Glasgow. The foundation color will be roya] blue, and the ornamentation will include emblems of the noble- Order of the Garter and other heraldic devices. The pattern is on such a large scale that the design is repeated, or matched, only once in every six and a-half yards. In regard to the seating, the general principle adopted is to dispense with fixed seats. Special chairs of Chippendale design, but with rush seats, were made for the previous Coronation. For the prospective ceremony there will be 'Chippendale pattern chairs of somewhat similar character, but with the seats uoholstered in silk. Smaller chairs and narrow stools were supplied in hundreds, and were of unpolished beech, with cane seats. Next June these wili be replaced by polished chairs and seats .upholstered in silk. After the Coronation of King Edward and Queen Alexandra many of the Peeresses who used the special chairs were anxious to secure the identical chairs as mementoes, and the Office of Works agreed to sell them at practically cost price. The beech chairs and stools, ' all branded with the .Grown, the date, and the word "Coronation," were eagerly sought after, and were supplied on similar terms, and it is extremely probable that this will again be the ease, and that the provision of the seating accommodation will entail little cost to the organisers, and might, if desired, be made a source of profit. . A complete group of the articles to •be used at the Coronation has been made by the Lord Chamberlain-and Sir Douglas Dawson. The articles are on view at the Tower. Among them are the crown of St. Edward with the Star of Africa diamond in front, the sceptre with the larger Star of Africa in it, the Virge or rod of power, the Orb, the Sword of Mercy, the two Swords of Justice, the Ring of Alliance -with the Kingdom, the Armilae or bracelets, the -Spurs of Chivalry, the' Cap of Maintenance, and other objects. All these will %e -borne by noblemen in the Royal procession within the Abbey. ■Representations are to be made to the 'King to secure the passing of the Coronation procession through the principal thoroughfares of «oufh London.