HIS MAJESTY’S DEATH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 45, 22 January 1936, Page 2

HIS MAJESTY’S DEATH

AFTER PERIOD OF COMA ROYAL FAMILY’S VIGIL (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.- —Copyright.) Received January 21, 1.45 p.m. LONDON, Jan. 20. It was disclosed to-night that the King, during the past two days, had been lying in a coma, except for brief intervals, but he was able to recognise the Queen uiui his children, greeting them with a faint smile when they entered. The only absentee from the anxious group awaiting the end as the hours slowly passed was the Duke of Gloucester, whose sore throat kept him in London. It had been announced that lie would go to Sandringham only in the event of an emergency, but the King’s failing strength was ebbing so quickly that his presence was impossible. Meanwhile, he was constantly informed of events by telephone. The Duchess of York was also kept in close touch. She had been one of the King’s, favourite companions in recent years and would have hurried to the bedside if she had been in good health. The Duchess of Kent arrived at Sandringham this afternoon and assisted the Princess Royal to console the Queen. VIGIL BY DOCTORS. None of the King’s doctors had gone to bed to-night. All were fully dressed in the sitting-room near the King’s, keeping an anxious vigil and ready for emergencies. The Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, and tire Duke of Kent were also awake and in constant communication with the doctors. The Queen telephoned the Duke of Gloucester, giving the doctors’ unfavourable report. The staff at Sandringham House was on duty throughout the night, attending to the requirements of the doctors and nurses. Meanwhile, in the darkness outside the handsome gates, which were the gift of the Sandringham residents to His Majesty in memory of his Silver Jubilee, the crowds rapidly increased as the news that the King was dying became more widely known. Many men who had known the King as both friend and Sovereign stood with their heads uncovered. KING EDWARD VIII. It is officially stated the Archbishop of Canterbury gave the Last Blessing. The Daily Express is on the streets with pictures of the King and the Prince of Wales and with the caption : —“The King is Dead. Long Live the King!” the latter over a photograph of King Edward VIII.

TOLLING OF BELLS. LIFE’S SAD PROCESSIONAL. Bells were tolling at Palmerston North yesterday in a sad processional of tlie King's life. Minute bells from the Post Office

tower struck for every year of His Majesty’s life, and subsequently at intervals of three minutes for every year of his reign. Meanwhile the bell of All Saints’ Church, where the flag of St. George was flying at half-masi on the tower, tolled once every iifte'Mi seconds for .• years of the dead King’s reign