THE QUEEN'S DEATH

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4264, 25 January 1901, Page 5

THE QUEEN'S DEATH

CABLE NEWS.

7NI TZD PBE63 ASSOCIATION. —BY XLEOTBIC TELZGEAPH. —COPYBIOHX.

j PUBLIC ANXIETY AND GRIEF. THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS OF OUR MONARCK3. SYMPATHY' FROM AMERICA. THE DEATH-BED SCENE. LONDON, January 23. The German Crown Prince will arrive at Osborne to-day. ’ . ’ • The Queen had always hoped not to die in her sleep lest she should not be surrounded by her beloved ones. Her wish was gratified. A few days ago her Majesty thoughtfully told her attendants to go for a walk and take some air. The breathless fears of the People grew tense and still more poignant as each bulletin was published. The telegram of the Prince of ales to the Lord Mayor of London was the first intimation that th death of the. Queen had ended the .suspense. The general feeling was one of stunned bewilderment, drowning all expressions of grief and knowledge of the real extent of the nation’s loss. The Chairman of the London County Council, addressing a meeting of the members,-referred to the dead Sovereign as the best-loved and mostQllustriots of all pur monarche.

At the usual Hilary Term dinner at Gray’s Inn, Master - Beetham said—‘‘We must, according to Constitutional usage, recite ‘God Save the King.’” The chapel hell was then tolled eighty-two times in honour of the eighty-two years of the Queen’s life, and the health of the new King was duly honoured. After the Queen’s death the curfew bell at Windsor Castle pealed a knell, also those of the churches in the provinces, at Balmoral, and along the whole Deeside.

All the Government establishments, ships, colonial agencies, and public buildings hoisted flags at half-mast, and minute guns were fired at various ports. Races and atheletic fixtures were postponed, and some abandoned altogether. The organ at the Crystal Palace played the “Dead March,”, and-the entertainment was stopped. The bells of the cathedrals and of the. churches in the smallest villages were tolled, and public bodies adopted resolutions of profound sorrow. Several French papers, ascribe the death of her Majesty to anxiety over the war. At Quebec the Parliament Buildings were draped in black. The Stock Exchange and Baltic Salerooms are closed. The news of the Queen’s death has been broken to the Empress Frederick, who is bearing up bravely. The effect, however, is still greatly feared. Noon on Tuesday was the first time since Saturday that Queen Victoria was conscious. She recognised her family, and a.sked for her favourite Pomeranian dog. When it, was, fetched, she fondled it for a moment, then talked a little -with Princesses Lonise and Beatrice. Almost her last request was for a member of her household. During the day she spoke to or recognised all her closest relations. The scene at the death-bed was impressively sad. Emperor William, who was deeply affected, ministered comfort, to his grief-stricken uncle. The instant the Queen was dead all the family knelt and kissed the Prince of Wales’s hands in token of fealty. There is universal, grief throughout the United Kingdom'. President McKinley .has cabled to tho King America’s sincerest sympathy ft the loss of the venerable and illustrious Sovereign, whose noble life and beneficent influence promoted peace, and won the affection of the world.

The United States House of Representatives passed a unanimous resolution expressive of profound sorrow, and adjourned as a sign of respect to tho Queen’s memory.

(Received January 24, 10.10 p.m.) . HOliARj., January 24. The Imperial troops paraded in the Domain this afternoon, and held a memorial service. A thousand local troops assisted in the impressive scene. The senior Chaplain conducted the service, and the Highlanders’ Band played a Funeral March. The hymns used were “Days and moments quickly flying,” and “Peace, perfect peace.” (Received January 26, 0.55 a.m.) , MELBOURNE, January 24. Mr Carroll has received a cable mes. sage from Tamahau Mahupuku expressing the grief of the Maoris at the Queen’s death.

(Received January, 24, 10.19 p.m.) SYDNEY, January 24. The anniversary regatta was to-day postponed.

Tho Government requested' the public not to observe the day as a holiday. Royal purple and black are being used as mourning drapings on public buildings. The Federal Premier hopes to arrange for uniform procedure with regard to mourning throughout.the States. KING EDWARD,‘VII. SUCCESSION OF THE PRINCE OF WALES. RETURN OP THE ROYAL FAMILY TO LONDON. LONDON, January 23. The Marquis of Salisbury, Prime Minister, is in London summoning the Privy Council, the members of which will swear allegiance to the King to-day. Thereafter the College of Heralds will proclaim the new 1 Sovereign at St. James’s Palace, whither the King will ; go in state to hold anuience, at which I the Archbishop of Canterbury and the | Bishops of the Anglcan Church will be j introduced, and the Judges will kiss i hands. | The Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norj folk, will afterwards notify a period of i general mourning. ; - ] At 4 o’clock Parliament will swear alI legiance to the King, and condole with i him upon the decease of his mother, j It is understood that the King will be crowned as Edward the Seventh. I After the announcement of the Queen’s death all the city bells tolled, ■ following the deep, strong, mournful ' note set by the great .muffled bell of St. /Paul’s. The bells of St. Martin’s, at ! Charing Cross, were also muffled, but 'were unmuffled to welcome the King, ;and a joyous peal then rang out. “The Times” states that the new King is endowed With’the most lovable and attractive qualities of his great

mother. He has a kind heart and quick appreciation of genuine worth. The nation may be happy in confidence that the King will follow in his mother’s footsteps according to both the spirit and the letter of the constitution. Moreover, the King adds perfect taqt and wide" knowledge of men and business to a method of prompt decision, punctuality and great capacity for work. (Received January 34, 9.19 p.ru.) LONDON, January 23. The Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, the Duke of Connaught and Prince Christian reached London at one o’clock. The crowd quietly saluted the Prince ,as King, and he gravely bowing drove to Marlborough House. Later in the day he met the. Privy Council at St. James’s Palace, Lord Mayor and Aldermen being in attendance. The Duko of Devonshire communicated to the Councillors an announcement- of the Queen’s death and the succession of her son.

PROCLAMATION OF THE KING. MESSAGE TO THE ADMIRAL. A COMMONWEALTH GAZETTE NOTICE. SYDNEY’, J a unary ‘ 24. c The Earl of Hopetorm has forwarded his personal condolences to the King’. Similar messages have been forwarded from the Commonwealth and the State, and all the foreign consuls have communicated their regrets to the GovernorGeneral. The only effect the demise of the Crown will have on the institutions of the colony,’ is that members of Parliament and the Commonwealth Ministry are required to swear allegiance to the King. (Received January 24, 10.10 p.m.) SYDNEY, January 24. Rear-Admiral Beaumont has received a cable message stating that the King was proclaimed to-day.. All the flags on the fleet were hoisted t,il. sun-set , and the Permanent Artillery fired Royal salutes. Th© flags will be half-masted to-morrow and remain so till the evening of the interment. No official information has yet been received from the Imperial authorities with reference to the designation of the King. • ■ (Received January 25, 0.55 a.m.) SYDNEY, January 24. A Commonwealth ‘‘Gazette” issued tonight announces that the King was proclaimed at St. James’s Palace at two o’clock to-day. MELBOURNE, January 4. The King was -to-day saluted by twenty-one guns. The LieuL-Governor (Sir John Madden) haa cabled the colony’s congratulations.

NEW ZEALAND’S MANIFESTATIONS OF SORROW. ' PHESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, January .24. The usual festivities for Anniversary Day (January 29th) will not bd observed. The Sixth Contingent Send-off Committee has decided that there shall be no ceremony of any kind whatever. The Mayor will proclaim a day of mourning oa the funeral day. - With a few exceptions business proceeded as usual to-day. At a, meeting of the City Council, the Mayer moved the following motion: “That the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Auckland desire to express the deep sorrow felt by all members of- the community in the great loss which has befallen the nation by the death of h'er Most Gracious Majesty. Queen Victoria, and to present their respectful and loyal sympathy and the heartielt condolence of the citizens of Auckland with their Majesties the King and Queten and the Royal Family in their 'bereavement; that the foregoing resolution to recorded in the minutes of the Council, and that his Excellency the Governor be respectfully requested to forward the same to the Secretary of State.” The motion, was unanimously adopted, and the Council adjourned.

Sympathetic resolutions were passed by a meeting of Coromandel citizens. THAMES, January V 4. The Borough Council passed a resolution of condolence with the Royal Family, and then adjurned. WAJPAWA, January 24. All shops closed cn receipt of the news of the Queen’s death. Flags were hoisted at half-mast and hells tolled. In the Evening the band played the “Dead March. ’’

/ - WANGANUI, January 24. This morning an impressive memorial service was held at Christ Church (Anglican), and to-night a great united memorial service was held in the Opera House. Addresses were delivered by the Revs G. Bond (Wesleyan), R. M. Ryburn (Presbyterian) and J. M. Marshall (Anglican). Hymns appropriate to the occasion were sung by the assemblage, and at the close of the service tho “Dead March” was played by a band.

STRATFORD, January 24. To-day is being observed in the town as a day of mourning, the doors of all business places being closed. FEILDING, January 24. Feilding is-in mourning. All the places of business closed yesterday afternoon, and the function of laying the foundation stone of the new post ■ office was postponed,. A special church service was held in the evening. NAPIER, January 24. To-day is being observed as a day of mourning, all business places being closed.

BLENHEiM. January 24. To-day being strictly observed as a day of mourning, places of business were closed and draped, flags flying at halfmast.

NELSON. January 24. To-day was observed by everyone as a day of mourning. Business places were no sooner opened in the morning than they were closed again, and even the cabs left the stands. The Post Office was draped, and special services were held to-night at the Cathedral and the Presbyterian Church. CHRISTCHURCH, January 24.

The day has been observed in the city as a dav of mourning. All the shops closed, and some of them were draped with black. The Cathedral bells rang muffled peals at intervals. The Mayor lias received a telegram from the Governor acknowledging the message of sympathy and sorrow sent on behalf of the citizens.

A picture of the Queen in the art gallery of tlie • exhibition, which was sent, from the Parliamentary Buildings at Wellington, has been heavily draped in black and a large number of floral tributes have been placed underneath it hi local bodies and private persons. ’ Lne picture was shown this evening in a dim liodvt, and,was visited by large crowds of people, some of whom sat before it for tours.. ' DUNEDIN. January 24. Despite the fact of yesterday being a holiday, tho reouest of the Acting-Pre-mier to observe to-dvr**' as a day of mourning was almost generally observed, and shops and business Maces were closed. In iiio evening a citizens’ memorial service, called bv the Mayor, was held in the. £ There was , a very largo attendance. Hymns were

sung and a brief address given by IbeJ Rev Mr Fairclough. The proceedings! were closed by a band playing the "Dead March.”