KING'S SAFETY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22475, 20 July 1936, Page 9

KING'S SAFETY

NEW PRECAUTIONS THURSDAY'S INCIDENT AUTHORITIES CONFER IMPORTANT DECISION PROTECTIVE MEASURES By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received July 19, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 18 King Edward carried out his usual business engagements yesterday in spite of the revolver incident at Hyde Park Corner on the previous day. He received the Duke of Norfolk, Hereditary Earl Marshal, who called to discuss the Coronation arrangements, also the Duke of York.

A scries of conferences was held yesterday between the chiefs of Scotland Yard and Court officials in Buckingham Palace, and now, it is understood, wherever the King goes in future, particularly on his forthcoming holiday on the Continent, additional protection w ill be provided. Although the King does not welcome the extra precautions. Palace officials believe they are essential because of His Majcstv's informal ways. The officials have been most troubled bv his insistonce upon frequently walking in London. Recently the King walked from the Falace to the offices of the Duchy of Cornwall. These are only a few hundred yards away, but tho officials believe such excursions expose His Majesty to unnecessary risk. They wish the King to follow the habit of King George, who travelled everywhere iu London by motor-car.

MANY EYE-WITNESSES OFFERS TO GIVE EVIDENCE FUTURE. CONTROL OF WEAPONS LONDON, July 17 Within a few hours of Scotland lard's appeal for eye-witnesses to the revolver "incident at Hyde Park Corner, 121 persons, the majority women, includinp visitors from overseas, communicated with the authorities, all of whose testimony appears to be valuable. They will be interviewed by detectives with a view to giving evidence. Large crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace to-day and expressed in repeated cheering their relief that the unhappy incident had passed without harm to the King. The incident is likely to result in further steps to control weapons in the possession of private individuals. The number is known to be large, one estimate being 100,000. A large proportion of these will be big service weapons, but there must be a considerable number of smaller .22 type, like the one produced in Court on Thursday. This is a very common pattern, easily obtainable from gunsmiths in Britain and most other .countries. In Britain a licence is necessary.

Three years ago, Scotland Yard appealed for the surrender of firearms including war souvenirs. Nearly 13,000 pistols, revolvers and 25,000 rounds oi ammunition were given up. A further appeal last year brought in another 500 revolvers.

MAN WHO INTERVENED EMBARRASSING RESULTS RUSH OF CONGRATULATIONS LONDON, July 17 Special Constable Anthony Gordon Dick, who was responsible for tackling the King's assailant in the crowd at Hyde Park Corner yesterday, was kept awake all night answering reporters and peonle eager to see the man who sprang to fame by the work of a few seconds. An ever-growing pile of letters and telegrams keeps pouring into Mr. Dick's home. Everywhere he goes his hand is warmly shaken. All work at the place of his employment was held up temporarily while- his colleagues offered their congratulations. He was quite overwhelmed and finally his employers sent him away for several days until the excitement wanes.

DOMINION'S MESSAGE HIS MAJESTY'S REPLY [BY TELEGKAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION'] WELLINGTON, Sunday The Governor-General. Viscount Galway, has received the folio wine message from His Majesty in reply to a cablegram of sympathy which ho sent after the incident in London: I sincerely thank Lady Galway and yourself and the Government and people of New Zealand lor your kind message, which I deeply appreciate. Thanksgiving for the safety of King Edward VIII. was offered in prayers or sermons in nearly all churches in Auckland yesterday. Speaking at the morning service at Nctv Lynn, Archbisjiop Averill referred to the life and qualities oi the King and expressed the general thankfulness that he had been spared. The event would merely add to the love and devotion of millions of his subjects in all parts of the world, he said. In response to the wishes of the archbishop, special prayers were said and the National Anthem was sung at other Anglican churches and in Some cases general thanksgiving services were held. At all morning masses at Roman Catholic churches, special prayers of thanksgiving were offered on instructions issued by Bishop Liston and the safety of His Majesty was similarly ttcntioned at the evening devotions. A solemn prayer for the King, "Domino Salvuni Fac," was sung at St. Patrick's Cathedral. P/ayors for the safe deliverance of the or references in sermons, wero features 0 f the services at Presbyterian, Methodist and Baptist churches and those of other denominations. The relief a "d thankfulness of the Jewish people the King's safety was expressed by 'he rabbi, Rev. A. Astor, at the Synagogue on Saturday.