QUEEN TO GIVE TON OF FRUIT GIFT TO HOSPITALS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6808, 11 January 1929, Page 8

QUEEN TO GIVE TON OF FRUIT GIFT TO HOSPITALS

NEW SPITALFIELDS MARKET OPENED. The Queen recently opened with a golden key the new Spitalfiolds fruit and vegetable market. In performing the ceremony, and in reopening afterwards the restored Old Hall at Lincoln’s Inn (says the Daily Chronicle) she took (the place of the King, whose sudden indisposition confined him to his bed. With the Queen was the Duke of York, whose coming was a happy surprise for everybody at Spitalfields. The Queen received a loyal address from the city, presented by the Lord Mayor (Sir J. E. Kvnaston Studd) in his ermine and scarlet, with old-time ceremony of bended knee and a full display of the city’s ancient pomp. Helping Empire Trade. The King’s reply, read by Lord Cromer, the Lord Chamberlain, said: The enterprise of the corporation in acquiring and enlarging Spitalfields Market was undoubtedly both wiso and timely. Recent years have seen in this country a very large increase in the consumption of fruit and vegetables, and modern scientific authorities are agreed that this chango in the habits of the people is to be welcomed and encouraged. If tbe now Spitalfields Market securely establishes London as the chief centre for the distribution of imported fruit and vegetables—a position which I fear was threatened —this extension will be of more than national importance, it will be a service to the cause of inter-Imperial trade -and to the wholo Empire. Among thoso presented to the Queen wero Mr. J. Whitehead, aged 82, the oldest tenant in the market, who has had his place there for more than half a century. The Queen was asked by Mr. F. C. Bradley, on behalf of the Market Tenants’ Association, to accept j a special displav of fruits surmounted by a cane model of a 'ship filled with fruit.

She laughed when she saw what a great amount of fruit, nearly a ton, she was being presented with. “It looks wonderful,” she said, “but such a lot to deal with. However, if you will kindly send it to tho Palace I shall be able to decide what to do with it.” New Toy for the Princess. it is understood that the Queen intends to distribute most of the fruit, valued at £l2O, among hospitals. It is likely that the ship will be added to Piincess Elizabeth’s collection of toys. One of the least familiar fruits seen by the Queen in her tour of the market was the “palm fruit.” It had 110 mystery for her, however. “I believe that the berries of that strange fruit arc crushed for their oil, of which soap and margarine are made,” she observed. _ ' “Your Majesty is quite right,” the official wdio had brought it to her notice rather surprisingly agreed. The King’s Regret. Sir Thomas Hughes, K.C., in welcoming the Queen, pointed out that early last century the Hall suffered grevious defacements, and laddcd: “It is a matter of some prido that the work of restoration which presented some xlifficulty, has been carried safely to completion by tho society’s own workmen under the skilful supervision of Sir John Simpson.” Tho Lord Chamberlain, Lord Cromer, read the reply of tho King, the Senior Bencher: On this day—a landmark in the life of the Inn— l should have been specially glad to bo with you in this ancient hall, the threshold of which no Sovereign has crossed since Charles II was admitted a member in 1671. We are all proud of our Old Hall and rejoice in the restoration to its former beauty. In performing the ceremony the Queen said: “In confidence that this Old Hall will now resume its integral part of the corporate life of Lincoln’s Inn, I have much ideasurc in declaring it - open, : ’