King’s Silver Jubilee

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 99, 30 April 1935, Page 9

King’s Silver Jubilee

London Preparing For The

Celebrations

'KEEN. PUBLIC INTEREST (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April, 26. Twelve days before the Silver Jubilee Londoners and thousands of visitors to tho capital are displaying keen interest in all the preparations for the celebration, which is certain to be conducted on an unprecedented scale. Tho streets are assuming their Jubilee dress, and the decorations already erected have stood successfully the wind and tho cheerless weather conditions of the last few days.

Every morning now sees a rehearsal of the various processions, and every night a flood-lighting plant, which will provide a blaze of ‘ illumination for notable buildings, not only in London, but in every town and villago throughout the country; is undergoing tests. On May 7 hundreds of thousands of spoetatoi's will stand in the streets, and every window along tho route will be packed, while special seating accommodation has been provided lor iSOO of the most fortunate.

The series of brief processions into which the Royal Family and the Imperial representatives are being divided will maintain the .interest for thoso who will willingly wait several hours. It has now been arranged that the escorts p£ tho Life Guards and the Horse Guards will be supplemented by contingents from other cavalry regiments. This decision has been taken in part because .the tremendous public interest —over £500,000 has been paid for seats —requires that the people should be , given a really striking pageant. The place of honour at tho Jubilee thanksgiving service in St. Paul’s is being given to two “well-known boys, who will represent 10,000 members of tho National Association of Boys’ Clubs.

A total of £30,000 for King George’s Jubilee Trust has already been received in contributions sent direct to the headquarters of tho trust at St. James’s Palace, and to tho Lord Mayor of London’s fund at the Mansion House. This sum docs not include money from collections outside Loudon, a number of which havo received large donations. The Prince of Wales is devoting many hours every day to the organisation of tho fund, and signs acknowledgment of all gifts, however small. Thoy vary from one penny to thousands of pounds.

Pen Sketch of the King’ and Queen INTENSE HUMAN INTEREST United Press Association.— By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. .... .... LONDON, April _26. The- Australian Press Association says that with the celebration of the Silver Jubilee only a week distant a pen sketch of the King as he is to-day is not inopportune. Physically ho is wonderfully fit, and from tho standpoint of the people never more loved than he is to-day. Two things have endeared him above all others his intense human interest and his strict constitutionality. Years ’ hence there may be discussions of the King’s part in the events of 1931, when the National Government was formed. For the present it is sufficient to pay tribute to his immense 'political sagacity. He had gone to Balmoral for a holiday, and'had had only ono day there when he sensed that matters were approaching a crisis at Downing Street. Of fii3 own initiative he returned to London immediately. And history records —and the- world has .since not ceased lauding—his wise measures during those fateflil days. Transcending all other considerations is the King’s ardent interest in tho welfare of his own people. Twentyfive years on tho throne have not dimmed his energy. He likes all State papers available for signing before breakfast. His familiarity . with the affairs of Australian and New Zealand are noteworthy. At seventy the King is till very active. He loves to lead a man’s normal life. He is abstemious to a degree, and turns very ofton for pleasure to his magnificent stamp collection. One room of the palace is filled with oil paintings of his famous racehorses, which shows hew dear to him is his racing stables. Of tho Queen ’ what finer tributo could be mentioned than a noted English gentleman’s comment, based on. long acquaintance and keen observation, "There could not have been found a finer helpmate than Queen Mary.” Home life and her family are almost passions with her. Life’s daily domestic tasks delight her, whether it be at the palace or in some institution or home. The Queen’s wonderful attachment to her daughter and her daught-ers-in-law, to her sons, and her grandchildren is proverbial. Her interest in the tours of the Dominion and her forethought for their comfort while away is that of tho true mother. Incidentally it is gathered that both the King and the Queen are highly pleased with the benefit received by the Duke of Gloucester from his Australian and New Zealand tour, both physically and in general outlook.