ICELAND MILLENARY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 31 May 1930, Page 4

ICELAND MILLENARY

PREPARATIONS UNDER WAV AT

REYKJAVIK

TOWN OF 17,020 TEXTS

One king, two .erov. n princes, 40 representatives for. 25 independent Slates, 2000 Icelanders living in the United States. 20.C00 Icelandic farmers, and at least the same number of tourists from all parts of the world are to form the population of the improvised towns of Thingvellir and Lake Reykjavik during the three days marking the culmination of the millennium celebrations of the Icelandic AJtiu'g (Parliament) this year. The original plan was to erec.t a town of tents round the first meeting place of the -A Ring on the plain of Thingvellir, but it is seen that all limits of such a temporary, camp would be ton narrow. and an auditional "town" of tents is being formed immediately outside the capital, near the beautiful Lake Reykjavik. Many of the tourists will live on board ship during their stay, but even a small influx would cause a shortage of bouses and hotels, a fact readily understood when it- is remoinberetl that Iceland's total population is 98.000. of- whom 48,000 are farmers scattered all over the island. Only-a few bostelries are necessary to. meet the ordinary demands of travellers. The three royal personages to take part in (he festival will, it is hoped, be 'King Christian, Crown Prince Olav of Norway. and Crown living: Gustaf Adolf of Sweden. King Christian will be present in any case. 1 As king of the \ united ' Iceland-Denmark he has undertaken to deliver a speech from the ■;„-■'' placo where, according to tradition, the Icelandic chief a thousand years ago addressed his company of Norwegian i emigrants. ' King Christian owns a . farm on the plain of Thingvellir. and will livo in the. farm house during his i <■ stay in Iceland. The building is of. recent date. -Not so ;the house reserved i .for the Norwegian and Swedish Crown Princes, who .are to live in a house} which is to-day as it was';, in the Saga j age. Around these houses are to be erected 27,00(3 tents, arranged in rows, ' with streets, ; market places, post and telegraph offices, shops* etc.