THE DEATH OF KING GEORGE V.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 4599, 21 January 1936, Page 3

THE DEATH OF KING GEORGE V.

The following message was sent throughout New Zealand shortly after I o’clock this afternoon by the New Zealand Government:— “The Prime Minister has received with profound sorrow the announcement of the death of His Majesty, King George V.”

A wireless broadcast from all New Zealand stations gave the time of <His Majesty’s as 11.55 English time, and also added that he passed away peacefully in the presence of most of his family. The Government asked that all Government offices should be closed at 1.30 to-day out of respect to His Majesty. , A crepe draped flag was flown at half mast at the local Post Office. King George was the only surviving son of His Majesty King Edward VH. and of Her Majesty Queen Alexandra. He was born at Marlborough House on June 3rd, 1865, and married*on July 6, 1893. He succeeded to the- Throne on May 6th, 1910, and was crowned at [Westminster Abbey, June 22, 1911.

DETAILS OF HIS MAJESTY’S ILLNESS.

London, January 20,

Their Majesties went to Sandringham on December 21. The King first showed signs of a chill on January 15, when Dr. Willans was called in. He took a turn, for the worse late at night, when his advisers decided to administer oxygen to relieve his breathing. The nurses in attendance included Sister Agnes Black, who nursed the Kong throughout his serious illness in 1928-29, afterwards becoming a permanent member of the Royal household.

Circles in close touch with the Court emphasise that the King’s illness is not only the result of a sudden cold, but point out that the King for seven years has carried on unremittingly the duties of his high station after his recovery from his grave illness in 1929, of which the strain will inevitably remain, leaving his Majesty more susceptible than others. Nevertheless the King, in the opinion of those seeing him daily, came through the Jubilee celebrations excellently* but last month grief due to the death of Princess Victoria inevitably affected his spirits. Sir Maurice Cassidy, an authority on heart diseases, was summoned to Sandringham at 8.17 a.m. The King’s condition was unchanged at 7.45 a.m. At 4.7 p.m. a bulletin signed by Willans, Hewett, Cassidy and Dawson said :■ —

“The King' had a few hours’ restful sleep. Cardiac weakness is an embarrassment and the circulation has slightly increased and gives cause for’anxiety.” It was stated earlier in the day that the anxiety expressed in last night’s bulletin persists. The word “anxiety” indicated that the doctors viewed the King’s condition with considerable concern.

The two little Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret had been told their grandfather was very ill and they left Sandringham Tor London this afternoon.

The Princess Royal arrived at Sandringham and had a long talk with the Queen immediately. The Queen, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York were in constant attendance and saw the King after the medical consultation which preceded the morning’s statement regarding the continuance of anxiety.

EARLIER MES SAGES

EUROPE’S CONCERN. Berlin, January 18. The Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler, has telegraphed the King his heartiest wishes for a speedy recovery. Rome, January 18. The news of the King’s illness was received with the deepest regret despite anti-British feeling. It is noteworthy even when the campaign was at its bitterest there was no criticism of the Royal Family. Paris, January 18. M. Laval and President Lebrun were informed of his Majesty’s illness. The official spokesman declared that the news created deep gloom here as the King is held in the gi-eatest respect. Copenhagen, January 18.

The newspapers publish long and sympathetic articles and crowds watch for the latest information displayed in the newspaper offices.

NEW ZEALAND’S SYMPATHY. Auckland, Last Night. The following message has been sent to Queen Mary by the Gover-nor-General, Viscount Galway: “To her Majesty Queen Mary, Sandringham : The Government and people of New Zealand have learned with great concern of the illness of the King, and they desire to express to \ojir Majesty their respectful sympathy in vour present anxiety. It is thpir most earnest , prayer that his Majesty may soon be restored to heglth. —Galway, Governor-Gen-eral.” A NATION’S/ PRAYERS. Hundreds of letters and telegrams of sympathy are arriving and include General Evangeline Booth’s: “His Majesty’s illness has deeply distressed Salvationists throughout the world. We plead the everlasting Father to' grant a speedy and complete recovery.” The Archbishop of Canterbury, speaking at Canterbury Cathedral,

said: “It would be foolish to deny that there are grounds for anxiety regarding the King’s illness, but there are good grounds for hope in his Majesty’s proved powers of recovery and the knowledge, experience and skill of the doctors and nurses. lam sure the love and loyalty so wonderfully manifested in the Jubilee year will now be expressed by prayers that the Holy Spirit and the Lord and Giver of Life may bring him full strength for recovery, give ti*ust .and confidence £o the Queen, and wisdom and skill to those having the care of him. Let us all pray that this life, which means so much to the realm, may be restored to full health and strength.” Doctor Amigo, Catholic Bishop of Southwark, has ordered special prayers to be said for the King in all the 150 churches in his diocese.

Prayers for the King were said to-day in all the Jewish synagogues throughout the Empire.