ROYALTY AT WEMBLEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19061, 4 July 1925, Page 2 (Supplement)

ROYALTY AT WEMBLEY.

A MAN FROM AMERICA. "HOW DO YOU DO, KING?" RIDE IN A TOY TRAIN. LITTLE GIRL'S DISTINCTION. Two interesting . incidents marked a recent visit by King George and Queen Mary to the Empire Exhibition at Wembley. Plain Mr. John Cownie, of lowa, United States, sprang into world-wide fame on the occasion in question in a fashion that must have staggered even his matter-of-fact ideas. Just ail ordinary citizen of the great democratic republic, where titles are unknown, and where every man is as good as his neighbour, he was doing a round of sight-seeing at the " greatest show ou earth " about midday, accompanied by bis stalwart son. An hour later his name was flashed across the Atlantic .to be discussed by every person in the land of the Stars and Stripes.

The reason was that Mr. Cownie had gratified an ambition which many an American millionaire has sighed for and sought in vain. It happened in tho most informal way, when the King and Queen — and Mr. Cownie—-were inspecting tho exhibition. It was not a " State occasion," nor was Uncle Sam's unofficial ambassador " presented "to his Majesty. He just presented himself. Standing in the front rank of the crowd that lined the Palace of Industry, Mr. Cownie suddenly stepped toward the King, held out his hand, and exclaimed, " How do you do, King? Shake hands with America!" With a happy smile King George c-t onco gripped the proffered palm. " How long have you been over here?" he asked the American, who replied: " Sir, I have just arrived, and this lias mado my visit worth while." Then turning, Mr. Cownie added: "And now, mv boy." The King looked down for a second, but the next moment looked up, for the " boy " stood about six feet high, much higher than his father, and appeared to be about 30, His Majesty gave another cordial handshake. Mr. Cownie was exceedingly proud of the fact that " We have now shaken hands with the King of England and with Jack Dempsey." Little Joan and the King.

On the same afternoon the King and Queen joined in the children's fun at

" Treasure Island." So it came about that five-year-old Joan Mollison, of Ealing, playing some distance away from her mother, looked up from the sand into the face of the King. Would she like to join other children on tho miniature railway? The answer was a timid "Yes." Then, while tho Queen recruited other children for tho great ride, the King lifted Joan into a coach that held only two, and, to the delight of the crowd, himself sat on the small seat opposito her. The Queen had taken a seat a few coaches away.

At the end of the journey Mrs. Mollison was waiting for Joan. " Did you know who that gentleman was?" she asked. " No," lisped tho child, " but ho was over such a nice gentleman." "It was the King," her mother told her, and the girl suddenly realised that everyone was staring at her. " Isn't This Beautiful." We were just starting," said Joan, describing the ride, " when the King took hold ol' my hands, which were on the side of the carriage, and placed them in mv lap. He said, ' You might get them hurt if you have them there.' lie asked, ' Have you been on this jolly little railway before?' I told him I had had one ride,' and that I enjoyed it so much that I could go on riding on it all day. ' I expect you could,' he said. ' Isn't this beautiful?' lie added, pointing to 'Treasure Island.' 'lt reminds me of the real story. Do you know it ? Imagine I atn tho king and you are the princess.' ' Well,' I said, ' that is nice.' " I felt I could go on talking to him as if he were my daddy. When wo stopped tho King "lifted me very gently from the carriage and said, ' Have you enjoyed it? Thi,s is quite like the seaside," dear, isn't it?' Just then the Queen came along to us and took hold of my hand and said, 'ls your mother here, darling?' I looked round and could not see ' Granny,' and another lady took charge of me." Joan bocamo " Queen of the Island," in tho estimation of children visiting Wembley, for the Freedom of Treasure Island was conferred upon her. She was presented with a free pass to the Island and access to all amusements.