KING AT OXFORD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22405, 29 April 1936, Page 19

KING AT OXFORD

AN INFORMAL VISIT WALK round old college SEVERAL PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN MONEY FOR GOLF CADDIE By 'Aii Mail [from our own correspondent] LONDON, April 8 Accompanied by three friends, the King a completely unexpected a nd unofficial visit to Oxford on Saturday afternoon. The porter at Magdalen College was astonished to see the King and his friends walk down the steps j n to the lodge. They stayed there for $ time looking round the sunlit quad, an d the King called for his camera, irhich was brought to him. The party then set off to walk round the college, with His Majesty acting as guide and pointing out the mnin centres of interest. He showed his companions the rooms he occupied as an undergraduate. but he did not go into them. During his walk he took a number of photographs, and, with his friends, left after about 20 minutes. "He simply strolled in and took us bv surprise," said the porter at the lodge. Entering their cars, the King and his friends drove along the High Street, making a stop at the Mitre Hotel. The King chatted with the hall porter, Mr. Ernest Davis, nodded to other members of the staff, and glanced admiringly at the ancient rooms. His attention was attracted by the hotel's football cup, which was won by the staff and which is kept in the lounge. Word had gone round that the King was in the hotel, and when he left ho was cheered by a large crowd. This was the King's first/visit to Oxford since his accession. A former golf caddie at the Royal Wimbledon Golf Club, J. H. Whitethread, received £2 from the King to buy shoes for his family. Whitethread, who has four children, has been out of work for a year. "Last week," he said, "even my wife's wedding ring had to be pawned. Then I remembered the kindness of the King, as Prince of Wales, when I knew him at the Royal Wimbledon Golf Club. I wrote and told him of our troubles and how we needed new shoes for the children to go to school. He sent me £2 to buy shoes for the family." All the family were able to have new shoes, except Airs. Whitethread, who desired that al3 the money ghould be spent on the others.