THE QUEEN'S DEATH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11950, 25 January 1901, Page 5

THE QUEEN'S DEATH.

THE LAST PARTINGS. WORLD-WIDE REGRET AND • SYMPATHY. | A Tribute from America. | UNIVERSAL MOURNING. ! . ' ; • ' i Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright, ! '■<.'■ LONDQN, January 23, [ (Received Jan. 24, at 9 a.m.) The Prince of Wal.es \vas mucli affected when the doctors intimated to him that liis mother had gone. ! The scene at the deathbed was inexpresi sibly sad. The Kaiser, who was deeply affected, ministered "comfort to the grief-stricken uncle. | (Received Jan. 24, at 914 a.m.) | The news of the death of the Queen, her mother, was broken to the Dowager Emi press Frederick, who is bearing up bravely. ; The effeot,-however, is still greatly feared. i Noon on Tuesday was the first time since Saturday that the Queen was conscious. i She then' recognised the family, and asked | for her favourite Pomeranian dog. When it was fetched she fondled it for a. moment, \ then talked a little with the Princesses | Louise and Beatrice.. Almost her last request was for the members of her household; then she relapsed ' into unconstiousness. Before this and durI ing the course' of the day she spoke to or recognised all her closest relations. The instant the Queen was dead all the ! family knelt and kissed the Prince of i Wales's hands in token of fealty. There is universal grief throughout the | United Kingdom. j President M'Kinley cabled to the King America's sincerest sympathy at the loss of the venerable and illustrious Sovereign, whose noble life and beneficent influence had promoted peace and won the affection of ■ the whole world. The House of Representatives passed a unanimous resolution expressive of the proI found sorrow of the people of the United States, and adjourned as a sign of respect for the Queen's memory. (Received Jan. 24, at 9.5 a.m.) \ The people's breathless fear grew tense, ! and more poignant as each bulletin was j published. The Prince of Wales's telegram to the Lord Mayor was the first intimation of the death of the Queen, and ended the suspense at about 7 o'clock on Tuesday i evening. The general feeling Vas one of stunned i bewilderment, drowning all exnressions of I grief and knowledge of the real extent of | the nation's loss. The chairman of the London Cotfnty Council, addressing a meeting of the mem- : bers, referred to the dead Sovereign as the : best loved and most illustrious of all our | monarchs. At the usual Hilary term dinner at Gray's | Inn, Master Beetham said that we must, | according to constitutional usage, recite I "God save the King." i The chapel .bell then tolled 82 times, in i honour of'the 82 years of the Queen's life. \ The health of the new King was then duly honoured. After the death of the' Queen the curfew j bell at Windsor pealed a knell, as did also ; the churches in the provinces, at Balmoral, ' and along the whole of the Dee side. ! (Received Jan. 24, at 9.14 a.m.) | The German Crown Prince arrives at Osborne to-day. ; The Queen always hoped not to die in i her sleep, lest she would not be surrounded S by her beloved ones. Her wish was gratified. A few days ago her Majesty thoughtfully told her attendants to go for a walk and I take some fresh air. ( I All the Government establishments, ships, ! colonial agencies, and public buildings hoisted their flags at half-mast, and minute j guns were fired at various ports. 5 All races and athletic fixtures have been | postponed, and some abandoned altogether. j The organist at the Crystal Palace played I the "Dead March." . All entertainments were stopped, and tne bells of the cathedrals and of the churches j in the smallest villages were tidied, j • Public bodies are adopting resolutions of | profound sorrow. 1 Several French papers ascribe the Queen's 1 death tn her anxiety over the war. J The Qiiebsc Parliament Buildings are j draped in black, and the Stock Exchanges 3 arc closed. « } 1 MOURNING IK AUSTRALIA. >' 1. FUNCTIONS POSTPONED. 1 SYDNEY, January 24. I (Received Jan. 24, at 9.49 a.m.). B Earl Hopetoun has forwarded his personal H condolences to the King. ! Similar messages were sent from the Commonwealth States. All the foreign consuls communicated their regrets to the Governor-General. The only effect the demise of the Crown will have on the institutions of the States is is that numbers of Parliament and the H Commonwealth Ministry will be required h to swear allegiance to the King. | (Received Jan. 24, at 10.19 p.m.) I The anniversary regatta has been post- | poncd. The Government have requested I the public not to observe the day as a I holiday. 8 Royal purple and black are being used as 0 mourning drapings on public buildings. | Mr Barton hopes to arrange a uniform | procedure with regard to mourning through- | out the States.' a The inter-Stale cricket match Victoria v. 1 New South Wales has beeu postponed for a § week. I MELBOURNE, January 24. I (Received Jan. 24, at 10.19 p.m.) | Mr Seddon received the first intelligence § here in a cable from Mr Reeves, the Agcntjj general, announcing the death of the 5 Queen. He states that the news caused I great sorrow among the Maoris. | (Received Jan. 25, at 0.55 a.m.) 1 The Hon. Jfr Carroll lias received »cable ) from Tamahau Mahupuku expressing the « grief of the Maoris at the Queen's death. A MEMORIAL SERVICE. \ HOBART, January 24. | (Received Jan. 24, at 10.10 p.m.) ] The Imperial troops paraded at the DoS main this afternoon, and held a memorial I] service for the Queen. One thousand local h troops assisted. The scene was an impresij sive one. The senior chaplain conducted | tho service. The Highland Band played a j funeral march, the hymns "Days and S moments quickly flying," "Peace, perfect 1 peace," and the "Dead March" in "Saul." THE DAY OF MOURNING IN WELLINGTON. j (From Our. Own CoRUF.sroNnEKT.) I WELLINGTON, January Zi. I The weather continues gloomy, and the city j scorns very lifeless, for though places of busia ncss romain open, very litt-lo business is being j done. It would, however, have been exj tremely inconvenient to have closed the shops to-day, soeing that Tuesday, the anniversary of the province, was a whole holiday, and the greater part of Wednesday was given up as. a day of mourning. Besides this, tho Ministers remaining in Wellington do not Beem to have risen to tho occasion, for they neglected last night 'to inform the Mayor of Wollingi; ton of the issue of the Ministerial proclamation constituting this a day of mourning. Then the Gazette extraordinary which they issued last night is admittedly a feeble pro-

duction. It Was as follows.—"Tho Government has received with the deepest sorrow the announcement of the death of her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victors on '.he evening of the 22nd inst, at Ijalf-pnst 6 o'clock. To-morrow (Thursday) will he observed as n day of mourning thrdughout the colony. All officers at tho Government Buildings ire relieved from duty to-morrow (Friday) and Saturday.-(Signed) W. 0. Walker. (for the Colonial Secretary). Wellington, 23rd January, 1901." Unfortunately, neither Mr licddori nor Mr Ward was in Wellington.

A special memorial servico is to be held at St. Paul's Cathedral at 3 o'clock on Sunday afternoon. It is intended to invite his Excellency the Governor, the members of the Ministry, and the mayor and councillors. A fine programme of music is being arranged for the occasion. It is not yet known whether the Bishop of Wellington, who has gone to Napier to attend the sitting of the synod, will be able to conduct the service.

The Gazette containing tho proclamation that to-day was to be observed as a day of mourning was only issued at a late hour yesterday evening, and there was therefore not sufficient time to inform the railway workshops employees throughout th,c colony last night that they were to have a holiday. As soon as the authorities of the Railway department found this morning that the Gazette had been issued, they ordered that the workshops should be closed at 11 .o'clock. A de putation of the railway artisans at Pctone was introduced to the senior Minister in Wellington (Hon. W. C. Walker), and a request was made that work should be also suspended to,morrow and on Saturday, as in the case of the various Government offices. Mr Walker replied that the matter was one which the Minister of Bail ways (Hon. J. G. Ward) must decide on his return to Wellington to-night. The wages paid to those railway hands in New Zealand who are not working to-day amount to about £2400 for the day. The Government Buildings are being draped in black, and the G.P.O. is festooned in black and white intertwined. This is said to be the correct mourning for Royalty. Mi Hamilton, tho Registrar of tho Uniy.crrity, was consulted on tho point. A muffled bell in the clock tower of the post office now tolls the hours. At noon the. military began the firing of 101 minute guns from the old saluting battery, the firing lasting from 12 o'clock till 19 minutes to 2.

_ There will bo no send-off to the sixth contingent on Saturday. There will be no dinner nor demonstration of any kind. The men will file quietly on board tho t-rbnusliin.

The various foreign consuls in "Wellington have forwarded expressions of regret tq the Governor, who has suitably acknowledged them. -■ ......

Black-edged stationery is being issued to all Government offices throughout' the colony. There was one regrettable incident in the Wellington district. It occurred at- Masterlon, and is thus described by the Post correspondent there-—"On the announcement of the death of the Queen being received, the Lawn Tennis Championship meeting was adjourncd for two hour?. Play was then resumed. The public were soon made aware nf the fact, and a hostile demonstration took place. Mr Hogg, M.H.R., who had addressed the crowd, lamenting the calamity to the nation, referred to the fact that tennis was being played. The crowd then adjourned to the tennis court, and demanded that play should cense. This reqnest not being conceded, hontin? was indulged in, and the players were subjected to a lot of banter. Eventually the Fire Brigade hose was nrocured. and tho water waß about to be turned on to the court, when the pljiycrs dispersed. Several were jostled, and one found bis way into the ereek." MOURNING AND MEMORIAL SERVICES A REQUEST BY THE GOVERNMENT. The Acting-Premier has sent, the following telegram to all mayors, chairmen of county councils, chairmen of road boards, town boards, archbishops, bishops, and clergymen of all denominations throughout the colony: "I have sent the following circular telegram throughout the colony, and which I forward to you for your 'information. I shall bo glad if you can acquiesce in the suggestion therein contained. '" As it is difficult in a scattered community to obtain unanimity of action in connection with the lamentable death of our late beloved Queen, the Government suggest that the following be adopted: The public to be respectfully invited to observe a close day of mourning on the occasion of the funeral of the Queen. A general holiday will be proclaimed throughout the colony on that day for that purpose. Women and girls to wear a band of black ribbon on the right arm above the elbow, and men to wear a strip of black ribbon in the lapel of the coat until after tho funeral of the Queen.' Flags on public buildings, in addition to being half-mast, to have a black streamer a foot above the flag. Citizens possessing flags should bo requested to arrange them similarly. Clergymen to fix next Sunday as a day for a universal mourning service in the different churches throughout tho colony." An Ordor-in-Council respecting public mourning is published in our advertising columns. This to a large extent is on the lines of the notification by the Acting-Premier given above. All ministers of religion-and congregations are invited to hold a memorial service on the day of the funeral of the late Queen, as well as on Sunday next.

DAY OF MOURNING IN DUNEDIN, Tho reqnest of the Government, through the Mayor, that yesterday should be set apart as a day of mourning met with universal response. The shops, with one or two exceptions, were closed, and Jitisincss generally was entirely suspended. Flags at half-mast were displayed from all (ho public buildings, including the several foreign consulates, and also from numerous business premises. In not a few instances the colours were draped with black, while festoons of crape were hung in front of the telegraph and post offices. Government Insurance Buildings, and the D.I.C. and Remr and Co.'s warehouses. Everywhere there' were indications of mourning, and a spirit of sadness pervaded the city! In tlin afternoon the slrcets were comparatively empty, and the wet, gloomy weather seemed to be in accord with the feelings of the people who had just lost a revered and gracious Sovereign. CITIZENS' MEMORIAL SERVICE.

AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE. Notwithstanding"that comparatively brief notice was given of the citizens' memorial service which was held in' the Agricultural Hall last evening it was attended by an immense congregation. It is estimated that about 2500 persons were in the building. Tho gay colours and (lags which had been erected as a welcome to the home-coming of the troops were a!! covered with crape. The national colours were also draped in the symbol of mourning, while the flags were suspended at half-mast. A large painting of her Majesty was placed in a prominent position above the stage and surrounded with black liangings. The pillars and balustrades were similarly covered, and there was present every outward expression of the grief and sorrow of a people at the' loss of a great and good Queen. The service was short and touchingly simple, and tho vast assemblage followed it with marked earnestness and reverence. The choirs of.the city churches were located on the stage, and in front of the stage there were 200 Sunday school children, who joined in. the singing, under the eonduclorshipof Mr Holgate. His Worship the Mayor presided, and the following clergy were also present .--The Revs. Dr Waddell, P. W. Fairclotigh, I. Jolly, W. Hewitson. J. J. Lewis, J. Muirhead, J. Niven, and G. Hcighivny. Mr D. Cooke presided at tho organ. His Worship the Mayor said it wns very gratifying to see that such a ready and willing response had been made to the invitation which he had issued during the dav to the citizens to assemble there mat evening. lie had received tho following apology from the Rev. J. Cibb:— "I am extremely sorry that my absence'from Dunedin on holiday has prevented me from taking any part in tho various religious services that have been held in connection with the illness and deeply lamented death of our great and good Queen. In particular I count myself unhappy in not being able to attend the meeting you have convened for- this evening. I heard of your proposal only after it was out of roy power to arrange to be present. Please explain the reason of my absence, and permit me to express the fervent hope that the meeting will in every respect give adequate expression to the ericf now felt % all the people of the Empire for tho loss of one who bus been truly a mother to her subjects, and whoso name has for bo many years been one of our most familiar and best-loved household words." He had also received an apology from Colonel Webb expressing his deep rr-cret at not being able to bo present that night and his sympathv villi the memorial sen-ice. He (the mayor) had only one special request to make, and it was one which he w.is sure they would willingly accede to. ' He had to ask that during tho service there would be no applause.

The service was opened with the hymn " Jesu. lover of my soul," after which the Rev. W. Hewitson engaged in prayer, " For ever-with tho Lord" was then sung, followed by the reading of Psalm xc by the Rev, J, Muirhead. Mrs Howie," the well-known contralto, afterwards sang '• O rest in tho Lord," Effective as she is on all occasions, under the , influence of the mournfulness which now affected the nation Mrs Howie rendered the beautiful number" with intense emotion and devotional effect, and it was quite apparent that as thej listened to it in rapt silence the great audience were deeply moved. . .:....

The Rev.' P. W. Fairelough at the conclusion ' of the solo delivered an eloquent panegyric on the late Queen, speaking as fo'.lows: —The greatest potentate of all the world, whom the mightiest {eared, to whom tho proudest bowed, for whom millions prayed, lies in key-cold clay. For three score and four years she sat upon a throne such as neither birth nor battle gavo to warrior kings of old. Vast was tho realm that came to her, yet under her hand it has spread like tho broadening dawn-light over the world. She was gentle, but wise, and loved strong and holiest'counsellors. Truth, not flattery; peaco, not glor.y; simplicity, not luxury; domestic'quiet, not giddiness, were her atmosphere; and so great were her name and fame that every choice of hers was a potent force in the world. For 64 years she held the sceptre poised with dignity. Her eyo was not dim, but quick to beam upon merit and f flash/Upon dishonour. Hor ear was open to the distant cry of great sorrows and the more domestic griefs of her own people. As tho years roljed "slowly away, so the millions who had served" her predecessors p'&ssed in silent .march, to the grave, till now only one here and there is left, like the last flecks of snow on the mountains—the rest being swept away by tho ever-rolling river of Time, She had ■a nation all her own, born under her and knowing no other, liven of these many (including Dier own children) have comp to venerable years—yet scarcely realised that she, too, was flesh and blood, and old. She seemed permanent and necessary to all time, for the wish was father to the thought. Her name, her date, her title, were imbedded in the language, and geography, and institutions of hundreds of millions. The cannibal Maori heard of the Great White Queen. His son, a Christian, prayed for, and his son's son took an oath to her in Parliament. WeU might the Queen seem a permanent white man's wonder. Tho Australian savage, spearing fish in tho shallows of weedy Yarra Yarra, may have heard of the Great White Queen from an early adventurer. That savage and his children's children have faded away. A stately city replaced his whorbie, ocean palaces lay in tho Yarra, a new nation had tired the Australian skies with rejoicing, and still sho was Queen. Railways, stealers, and telegraphs seem old and ever 'necessary to us as the alphabet. Sea,rce one in 50 here present remembers when (hey were not. Yet before they wero she was 'Queen. We who are well on in mitldlo life do well if wc remomher the marriage of her elder children. The great Kaiser of Germany, whoso sons are young men, is the son of her daughter. Groat authors, philosophers, inventors, and explorers, who have gone to dust, leaving immortal names to grace the Yictorian era, were at Echool when she assumed the sceptre. Her reign lias compassed their education, their early struggles, their noonday fame, their crossing of flic bar, and finally it has built their monuments and written their biographies. All tho time she bore the burden of State, They are stars in her sky, waves in her sea. " King" is a foreign word to us, and our tongues and hearts half resent its usurpation of a place that seemCd only for her. The National Anthem was known as "God save tho Queen'." Our Governors were the Queen's The laws were the Queen's justice. A writ was the Queen's writ. Our foes were t'-c Queen's enemies, Our defenders were the Queen's forces, and they wore the Queen's uniform. The very language was the Queen's English. We shall scarce speak but our tongues will strike her passing hell. Like the roots and fibres of an ancient oak, she has struck through and through our customs, our thoughts, our speech, our hearts. She was a personal tie; the head of every house. The time to spare her came no nearer with the lapse of years. We would that tho ancient hyperbole had been possible, " 0 Queen, live,for ever." But the decree is to pauper and prince alike, " Set thine house in order, for thou shall die, and not live." Four score and two years were granted her, and then tho inexorable summons was issued. A chill fell upon the air as the Angel of Death 6prea'd hi? dark wines. The,heart of a nation paused. Brcalldess crowds waited in the four quarters of the globe, for the Master of Kings, had come. Princes and captains hurried to the scene. The lord of many legions was there, but not to command. A nation's skill, a ration's prayer, a nation's tears interposed—alas, in vain. Not with struggle and ageny and disappointed ambition were crown and sceptre abandoned. Gently as the last ripe leaf of autumn lets go in the evening breeze did her loftv soul leave her task—completed. The' of the nation niters itself in ono great sob. "My mother, my mother! The chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof." At the conclusion nf Ihe address the P.cv. I. Jolly engaged in maw. The assemblage then sang "Brief life is here our portion," after which the Rev. G. Heigbway pronounced the, benediction. A mixed band, under the bato.n of Mr Bvundell, subsequently plnyed the "Dead March" in "Saul," the audience standing while the solemn music was being rendered.