THE DELHI DURBAR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12551, 3 January 1903, Page 7

THE DELHI DURBAR.

THE KING PROCLAIMED EMPEROR. THE KING'S MESSAGE. NUMEROUS HONOURS. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. BOMBAY, January 1. (Received Jan. 2, at 9.4 a.m.) Fifteen thousand persons occupied tho amphitheatre at; to-day's Durbar. There was unbroken sunshine throughout the ceremony. King Edward was proclaimed Emperor amid tumultuous cheers. Lord Curzon read King Edward's Message, which was expressive of affection and admiration 'for India. His desire was to maintain unimpaired the principles of a humane and equitable administration. The King's reference to a probable early visit from the Prince of Wales was warmly acclaimed. The Maharanee of Jaipur has given a lakh of rupees to the Indian people's •Famine Trust. THE INDIAN ORDER. LONDON, January 1. (Received Jan. 2, at 9.4 a.m.) There were numerous honours in connection with the durbar. The principal Indian Orders have been enlarged. Lord George Hamilton (Secretary'of State for India) is made, a Grand Commander of the- Star of India; the Nizam of Hyderabad has been given the Grand Cross of the Bath ; and Lady Curzon receives the Aaiser-i-hind medal. Concessions have been given to the Indian army, and the salutes to several of the native princes have been increased. Sixteen thousand one hundred and eighty-eight prisoners were amnestied. LORD OURZON'S SPEECH. BO.MBAY, January 2. (Received Jan. 2, at 11 p.m.) The massed bands played Starneford's " Coronation March." A feu de joie outside was followed by a roar of cheers from 40,000 troops and an immense multitude of spectators. The effect was almost overwhelming. Lord Curzon, in a singularly impressive and eloquent speech, delivered with great dignity and elocutionary effect, emphasise 3 the grandeur and advantages of British rule. He dwelt on the significance of one-fifth of the human race through their representatives being assembled 'to testify their allegiance and faithful attachment to a common Sovereign. The King's assurance that the supreme object of his rule was to advance tbp welfare of his Indian subjects produced a profound impression. A SCENE OP SPLENDOUR. BOMBAY, January 2. (Received Jan. 2, at 11.5 p.m.) In the course of his speech Lord Curzon eulogised the loyalty and self-sacri-fice of the feudatories. He announced that the interest on the famine loans would he remitted for three years. He hoped shortly to alleviate taxation. Everything indicated a prosperous future while the supremacy of the paramount power remained unchallenged.

The amphitheatre was a scene of incomparable splendour, representing all eminent Indian society—native and European—with visitors from nl! parts of the world. One hundred creat feudatories and the highest British officials were grouped on the rfeht and left of the dais, where Lord and Lady Curzon and the Duke nnd Duchess of Connaught sat on golden thrones. Behind the dais, and hidden by a latticed framework, sat the Maharanee?, including the mofclier of the infant ruler of Bharampur, who was in her arms. When all were seated a wonderfully dazzling effect of colour was produced. When 600 survivor.? of the MutinyEuropeans and Eurasian natives, one a centenarian—inarched in, the bands playing the ,( Conquering Hero " and " Auld Ljmg Syne," the whole assembly rose and saluted. They also gave an ovation to Lord Kitchener and the Duke of Connaught. imdy Curzon and the Duchess were seated slightly behind their husbands. A herald announced Emperor Edward's Coronation, the standard was hoisted, and 101 guns fired.