EAST END

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22108, 14 May 1935, Page 9

EAST END

ROYAL VISITORS SURPRISE FOR PEOPLE FERVID ENTHUSIASM VIGOUR OF GREETINGS JUBILEE DECORATIONS By Te!eL.'rarh—Press Association—Copyright (Received May 13. R. 35 p.m.) LONDON. May 12 Tremendous enthusiasm attended a surprise visit paid to the East End of London by the King and Queen and Princess Elizabeth, the party beinp accompanied by two police cars and a wireless van. People ran, cheering, beside the Royal car as a self-appointed escort, and cars and cyclists fell in behind. Their Majesties drove through Chinatown. dockland, Poplar and Limehouse Causeway where no street, however narrow, and no house, however humble, lacked decorations. .Chinese leapt to their feet and cheered, while lascars in the West India and East India docks salaamed. Elsewhere crowds almost brought the Royal car to a standstill. Jumping on the footboards men wildly acclaimed the King and Queen, who were startled and almost awed by the vigour of the greetings. Costermongers' Vociferous Loyalty The residents had painted the kerbstones in entire streets red, white and blue and inscribed them with loyal greetings. The famous Petticoat Lane, now Middlesex Street, was the scene of joyous uproar, costermongers giving a vociferous display of loyalty. Joe Brown, a general dealer, voiced the unanimous opinion when lie declared: "There has never been such a day. " The Eiing looked real well, didn't he? " The entliusiasm was renewed in the Jewish quarter, where an ovation was accorded to the King and Queen, and a huge crowd, had gathered when Their Majesties returned to Buckingham Palace. The Chinese residents, within an hour of Their Majesties' departure, telegraphed their thanks for the visit. The King's reply, addressed to the people of Limehouse, was pasted in the window of a confectioner's shop. Children'); Invasion of London Yesterday morning London was invaded by armies of happy, excited children. They came in contingents of many thousands from all the outlying districts of the metropolitan area. They marched to stands in Constitutiofaal Hill ;ind the Mall, which, at the King'si wish, had been reserved for them that they might see Their Majesties in. the best possible circumstances. During the period of waiting the children were entertained by bands of the Brigade of Guards and by the British Broadcasting Corporation programmes broadcast through loud speakers, interspersed with bursts of community singing. The road from Hyde Park Corner to the Marble Arch was lined by 15,000 lads from different youth organisations. Cheering Crowds Pack Streets Their Majesties drove in a procession of open carriages, with an escort of Life Guards and followed a route to Edgware Road, and Marylebone Road. They returned through Baker Street, Oxford Street, Regent Street and along the Mall. The streets were packed with cheering and waving people. As Their Majesties approached the stands of the children the shrill cheering of the wildly excited young people provided one of the most moving episodes in a week of loyal and affectionate ovations, and Their Majesties were obviously pleased and touched by their welcome. Although officially the floodlighting display will end after this week, when the lights on Government buildings will be removed, many commercial and private buildings in London and the provinces will continue the floodlighting indefinitely.

Thanksgiving Services Hell Jubilee thanksgiving services, were held throughout Britain to-day. The Duke of • Gloucester attended an observance in Belfast Cathedral. Hyde Park was the scene of an open-air service attended by 100,000 people, who earnestly participated in community hymn-singing;. A thankgiving service, unique in the history of Wimbledon, was held the centre tennis court, 10,000 people filling the stands. Territorial and Salvation Army bands from many districts, and units of cadets and Bov Scouts attended, the Mayor taking the salute in a march past. The newspapers pay a tribute to Scotland Yard for its success in making the week one almost devoid of crime. Only a few minor offences were reported. The King has sent a message to the Viceroy of India stating that he is deeply touched by the enthusiasm with which the Silver Jubilee was celebrated in India.

FIJI CELEBRATIONS

FIRST PLACE IN EMPIRE PARADES AND SPORTS [from our own correspondent] SUVA. May 8 A unique feature of the celebration in Fiji of the Silver Jubilee of the King's accession to the Throne lay in the fact that Fiji, owing to its geographical situation, was the first portion of the Empire in point of time to celebrate the occasion. The International ciate line runs through a portion of the group and it is there that a day is lost or picked up. according to whether the vessels are proceeding north or south. in Suva on. May 6. European, Fijian and,lndian troops paraded to give the Royal Salute, the National Anthem bein.t: played by a military band, comprised solely of Fijians. Sports fcr the children in the afternoon, yacht and canoe races, and a fireworks display at night, and a ball on the following evening completed' the celebrations. At all centres throughout the group gatherings, of Fijians were held, ar.d the King's message was read to the natives bv district commissioners or. senior officials