KING GEORGE'S KEYS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7264, 21 October 1910, Page 9

KING GEORGE'S KEYS

Every three months anew password) is sent to the Marion "House. _ Its ,ppn--odical communication is a highly-prized, Mayoral usage, although there as no re-.... cord in. recent times at least, of th&j. Lord Mayor having availed himself, of;, these priVileges. , .-,». >' , Another new note at . tho ' Tower ...is ' ; the use o-f King: George's name ■in tho stately and ancient coremony of lockinp;- 1 up the fortress. On. the stroke of eleven, the head warder appears before tho; giiardVhouse, and loudly calls "Escort: keys'."' The sergeant of the qruard,"witW ; ! five or six,men, then turn out and foU low the warder to. the outer gate, each,' sentry chaHeniriiiß as they pass hU.post: . "Who, goes theroP" ,"Keye." '•.. ;.\. ■:'•■ After the locking of the Kates, the procession Toturns,-'tho challenging -process being repeated. ; Arrived again at tho, guard-house, tho : eeutry there gives a laud stamp with, his foot. "Who g°oa there?" he crios. ?;, "Keys." "Whoso keys?" "Kins George's keys." ' "Ad-. rf va!rvcp. King George's keys, and air&jtf| wefl." .' . ..'..•.■■":>,• ■■:.■' ,;..^j|li§ "God bless. King. George," exclaims«tn#'" ■<■ head warder. "Amen ("the. guard ,;'Tospouds. Then, the ffuard presents arms, the officer on duty kisses the hilt of ; his sword, and the warder marches across to tho lieutenant's 'lodgings to deposit'the kcys. : After this ceremony, no one may stir without giving the countersign, and? ingress and. egress are precluded to all save the privileged possessors of thospassword. ; '