"GOD SAVE THE KING"

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22787, 24 January 1936, Page 9

"GOD SAVE THE KING"

PROCLAMATION OF EDWARD VIII THE CEREMONIAL OF ACCESSION SOLEMN EMPIRE-WIDE ANNOUNCEMENT , With the picturesque and stately ceremonial befitting the historic event, King Edward VIII has been proclaimed throughout the length and breadth of his wide dominions. :'.",.'. The mourning of an Empire for a loss so recent that there has yet scarcely been time to realise all it means was temporarily ■uspended for the joyous and auspicious occasion. The announcement in London was made with all the pomp of macebearers and royal trumpeters by the Garter King of Anns, and throughout the Empire, in city, town and village, with less ceremony but equal force, by the accredited representatives of the people.' In Dunedin the Proclamation was heard by thousands who "thronged the Octagon and responded with a fervent "God Save the King." And all over the Dominion, in metropolis and township, at crossroad and civic centre, the mellow, highsounding phrases were repeated and cheered. • The words and observations used have greeted the King's predecessors on the Throne of England for hundreds of years, and, although the Crown " solely and rightfully " came to King Edward VIII, as the,Proclamation recites, by the decease of the late King, the Accession ceremonies comprise the solemn and public announcement of the fact to his subjects.

meantime manifestations of the deep sorrow of the whole world for the death of King George V continue to pour into England from all parts of the globe.

ELABORATE RITUAL TRADITION OF CENTURIES LIEGE LORD PROCLAIMED ;' THE POMP OF HERALDRY . ,' LONDON, January 22. -"The High and Mighty Prince Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick : David is now by the death of our late Sovereign of happy memory become our lawful and rightful Liege Lord Edward .Villi, by the Grace of G<sd, of Great :Britairi, Ireland, and the Dominions be-r<:-yond the seas." . j ' I This" was proclaimed by the Garter King-"of Arms from the balcony of St. James's Palace amid all the traditional • pageantry of heraldry. The sun shone with golden softness through a slight mist. It was a solemn moment. Not a sound came from the vast, quietly dressed crowd. The Earl Marshal, the Garter King ,of Arms, heralds, and pursuivants, were in magnificent mediaeval uniforms, embroidered with gold, the only colour in the gathering, of which.the predominant note was black. Even the guardsmen -were sombre figures in heavy greatcoats, the officers wearing black crepe, and the regimental colours were draped black. ; Just before 10. a.m. the Guard of Honour stationed directly in front of "-the"' palace was brought sharply to attention; Four heralds appeared on the balcony wearing.huge black;cocked hats, trimmed with ermine.: » -As the palace clock struck the hour 'the-trumpeters' sounded a double' fan- . fare. A great silence fell as the Garter King of Arms, read the Proclamation. . The saluting: guns boomed dully throughout the recitalof the formal words inaugurating a new epoch in the Empire's history. > ■ ', The trumpets, again rang out when the Garter King of Arms concluded with .the words .;* <«GOD SAVE THE KING." : , The troops were brought sharply to attention, the National Anthem was played softly to the accompaniment of - the roll of black-draped drums, and the colours were dipped in solemn salute. The King appeared at the palace window for a short period. The Garter King of Anns and the heralds preceded the royal coaches to .' Charing Cross along the; troop-lined streets,; The escort of Guardsmen presented an unfamiliar and impressive sight to Londoners, wearing black tunics and mounted on ■ coal-black horses with black trappings. The procession halted at the monument at Charing Cross, and the heralds ...sounded a fanfare. A herald stepped out of the coach ■with the Proclamation in his hand. Few of the vast, silent concourse were able to hear the words, thougli many could see his lips moving. A fanfare marked the conclusion. Tlie herald stood-hat in hand during the rendering of the National Anthem before re-entering the coach. The procession then proceeded along the Strand to the city. EMPIRE AT ATTENTION ALL NATIONALITIES PARTICIPATE LONDON, January. 22. (Received Jan. 23, at 8.5 p.m.) City by city, as the sun moved westward over the domain on which it never sets, the whole Empire stood at attention to hear the Proclamation of King Edward the Eighth. Troops presented arms, royal salutes thundered, the Royal Standard spread its glory overhead, and flags leapt to the maintrucks after flying - liaff mast since King George breathed his last. Oriental splendour marked the ceremony at Delhi, 37 nationalities participated at Singapore, while Malta grew festive in sunshine. Cannon roared from the King's bastion at Gibraltar, ►hile the harbour was bright with flags.

DOMINION OBSERVANCE AT THE TEMPLE BAR ' CHEERS FOR THE KING LONDON, January 23. Not even the hew King can challenge the rights of the City of London, which are ever guarded jealously. When the procession reached Temple Bar the city's dignitaries, headed by the Lord Mayor, assembled in the shadow of the Law Courts to challenge the King's officers' right to enter the city. The crowds, who waited since daybreak, were rewarded by the rarely seen 'spectacle"'"of"a single red silken rope stretched across the street, symbolising the city's rights. • A triple fanfare from the Kings trumpeters, answering the fanfare from the City's trumpeters, recalled London's struggles for freedom early in the nation's history. The blue-mantled Pursuivant of Arms rode forward alone. "Who comes there?" challenged the City Marshal. The Pursuivant replied with the historic formula, and was conducted to the Lord Mayor, to whom he delivered an Order-in-Council directing the reading of the Proclamation, which the Lord Mayor read aloud. He then ordered the removal of the barrier, and the procession moved to a corner of Chancery Lane 50 yards within the City boundary. There the Proclamation was read with ceremony similar to that at Charing Cross. The crowd outside Charing Cross was one of the vastest seen in the precincts of the City. The air was so still and all was so silent that every word uttered by the Garter King of Arms was distinctly audible. The demonstrativeness of the City contrasted with the reading of the Proclamation elsewhere. ■ • Immediately following the National Anthem someone shouted: "King Edward the Eighth! " . - - ■ The Lord Mayor, seeing that the crowd desired to express its loyalty, took off his three-cornered hat, and waved it above his head, crying: "Three cheers for the King." The dignified, scarlet-robed city fathers led an immense burst of cheering, which was taken up by the densely packed crowds in the surrounding streets. - The Lord Mayor and aldermen then formed a procession back to the Guildhall, closing another chapter in the City's history. LONDON STREETS CROWDED HUGE PARADE OF TROOPS (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, January 22. The accession of King Edward VIII was proclaimed to-day with the traditional picturesque ceremonial associated with this ancient custom, and the London streets, lined with 5000 troops, were crowded with people to witness the pageant. . . The Officers of Arms, habited in thentabards, assembled on the balcony of the Friary Court at St. James's Palace, and in these historic surroundings, after the trumpets had sounded thrice, the Garter King of Arms read the Proclamation document, distinguished by great stateliness of diction. Long before midnight last night the London streets, which would normally be thronged with people at that hour, were empty. A silence as impressive as that of Armistice Day hung over them. Motorists travelled silently, and buses hurried almost empty towards the suburbs. The streets, normally ablaze with lights from the flashing electric signs of a score of theatres, were in darkness, and the pavements were deserted. Night clubs and restaurants were shut. London was a city of sorrow. PROTECTOR OF FREEMASONS LONDON, January 22. Wlien he ascended the Throne the late King Edward resigned the Grand Mastership of the United Grand Lodge and became protector of the Order of Freemasons. If precedent is followed, King Edward VIII will resign the Provincial Grand Mastership of "Surrey and assume the same title. King Edward was also to have been installed as Grand Master Mason of Scotland.

OFFICIAL CEREMONY DIGNITY OF PROCEEDINGS GOVERNOR-GENERAL READS PROCLAMATION HUGE CROWD CHEERS NEW KING (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, January 23. With a solemnity and simple dignity befitting the occasion, the new King was proclaimed from the steps of Parliament Buildings to-day by the GovernorGeneral (Viscount Galway) before a concourse of fully 15.000 people. The proceedings, which lasted barely a quarter of an hour, were carried out with perfect precision until the close of the ceremony, when his Excellency called for three cheers for his Majesty King Edward. There was.no demonstra tion on the part of the massed assem Wage, which, hushed with the significance of the occasion, followed intently every detail of the proceedings. The weather was fine, but overcast. A holiday was declared between tlv; hours of 10 o'clock and noon. Shortly after 1.0 the crowds started to stream on to Parliament G'-ounds from every direction.

A guard of honour was provided for his Excellency by units from the sloop Wellington and from the training depot. Immediately the Governor-General ar rived he was accorded the royal salute, and the Union Jack was broken from the peak of the flagpole attached to the dais. On the other side was the New Zealand ensign, and across the front of the dais were hung flags. His Excellency, who was accompanied by Captain Heber Percy,, inspected the guard of honour, and was attended by Major-general Sir Sinclair Burgess, Captain Morgan (naval secretary), an<l Squadron-leader Wilkes, all of whom wore black mourning bands on their sleeves. As his Excellency mounted the dais those seated stood, and remained standing throughout the ceremony. His Excellency was handed the proclamation of accession by the clerk of the Executive Council (Mr Jeffery), and as he turned to face the crowd the trumpets sounded to herald the ceremony. In clear, measured tones, he read the proclamation, which was signed by himself and the Prime Minister and the following members of the Ministry:—Messrs Fraser, Nash, Mason, Armstrong, Parry, Jones, Martin, and Langstone, Mr Mark Fagan, and also the Chief Justice, Sir Francis Bell, and Sir A. T. Ngata, representing the Maori race. When the reading was finished his Excellency, raising his voice, solemnly proclaimed "God Save the King." Immediately there was a fanfare of trumpets. Salutes of 21 guns were fired alternately by H.M.S. Wellington and the military battery at Point Jerningham, the signal for the first shot being flashed to the gunners from the top of Parliament Buildings as soon as the reading of the proclamation ended. Simultaneously with this the flags on Government and public buildings were run up to the peak, and will remain there until sunset.

The Wellington Regimental Band played the National Anthem, and the final and one of the most impressive features of the proceedings was his Excellency's command to those assembled to bare their heads and give three cheers for the King. With one voice the crowd enthusiastically professed its loyalty to the new King, the salvo of cheers being a fitting climax to an inspiring ceremony. His Excellency then returned to Government House. .

Special accommodation was provided on the steps of the buildings for members of Parliament, local body representatives, members of the foreign consulates, and others, while the official party was seated with the Governorgeneral on the dais. These included the Prime Minister, Ministers of the Crown, the Speaker of the House of Representatives (Sir Charles Statham), Sir Francis Bell, the Chief Justice, Church dignitaries, and the Mayor of Wellington. A peal of 10 bells was sounded on the national carillon during the firing of the salute.

The proclamation read by the Governor-General has been issued in the form of an Extraordinary Gazette, and, besides being signed by the GovernorGeneral himself, is also signed by Mr Savage and all members of the Cabinet, as well as Mr Mark Fagan, M.L.C., Sir Michael Myers (the Chief Justice), Sir Francis Bell, M.L.C., and Sir Apirana Ngata. PARADE OF SERVICES AUCKLAND'S LOYAL DISPLAY (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, January 23. Twenty thousand citizens listened to the reading of the Proclamation of Edward. VIII as King this morning from the platform at the front of the Town Hall in Queen street, and the radiating thoroughfares were closely packed. All vantage points were crowded, such as window ledges, safety ladders, roofs, anl veranda tops. Colour was lent the gathering by the presence of a guard of honour, provided lay the Royal Navy* Royal Marines, New Zealand Artillery, and Air Force in ceremonial uniforms, carrying fixed bayonets, and by the presence on the platform of the Mayor in his robes of office, Com modore the Hon. E. R. Drummond, representing the navy, Colonel J. E. Duigan (officer in charge of the Northern Command), Major L. M. Isitt, A.D.C., commanding the Hobsonville air base, and other officers in ceremonial dress. With the official party was Lady Gal way, accompanied by a lady-in-waiting and her children. Also on the platform were members of Parliament, of the Consular Corps, the City Council, and other official representatives. The Proclamation was impressively read by the Mayor, Mr Ernest Davis as the Town Hall clock struck V Synchronising with the speech, every flag in Queen street was raised to the masthead, and in the following silence there rang out the voices of officers givingthe military commands, and the detonations of the royal salute fired by the Devon port naval base and bv the artillery on the waterfront. The National Anthem was played by the Municipal Band, the crowd joining heartily in the singing, after whico cheers were enthusiastically given for his Majesty. The crowd in dispersing completely blocked the traffic in Queen street. SILENT CROWD ASSEMBLY IN CHRISTCHURCH (Per United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, January 23. A silent crowd of 4000 assembled outside the City Council Chambers to hear the reading of the Proclamation of the accession of the new King by the Mayor (Mr D. G. SullivanV. On th«stroke of It the flags were mastheaded, and the Proclamation read. Buglers sounded the royal salute, the crowd joined in the singing of the National Anthem, and the ceremony concluded with cheers for King Edward VIII.

THE LOCAL CEREMONY THOUSANDS THRONG THE OCTAGON PROCLAMATION BY THE MAYOR BRIEF BUT SIGNIFICANT RITUAL The subtle and indescribable magnetism of anything connected with the life and rank of the King blending with the deeper urge of a genuine loyalty which Dunedin lias displayed in unmistakable fashion this week drew thousands of citizens to the Octagon yesterday morning to hear King Edward VIII proclaimed in accordance with custom and tradition. The ceremony had been fixed by viceregal direction for II a.m., and the central figure of the occasion was the Mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox), who read the' Proclamation. With the Mayor on the Town Hall steps were the Mayoress, Mr Justice Kennedy and Mrs Kennedy, Sir James Allen and Colonel S. P. C. Nicholls, D. 5.0., N.Z.S.C. (officer commanding the Southern Command). Against a background of solemn black and purple mourning drapings the bright hues of Imperial flags, with the Union Jack in the centre, stood out boldly. Obviously the invitation to observe a two hours' respite from the daily round, issued, through the Mayor, by the Governor-General (Viscount Galway) and the Prime Minister (Mr M. J. Savage), was very widely accepted, as the wide reserve was packed with a dense throng when the town clock chimed the hour;

As the sound of the last stroke died away the Union Jack was run up to the masthead, and a royal fanfare of trumpets was sounded by the Bugle Band of the Otago Regiment, under Lieutenant J. L. Napier. Then followed the Proclamation, read in loud, clear tones by the Mayor as follows: —

Whereas it hath pleased Almighty God to call to His mercy our late sovereign lord, King George the Fifth, of blessed and glorious memory, by whose decease the Imperial Crown of Great Britain, Ireland and all other of his late Majesty's dominions is solely and rightfully come to the high and mighty Prince Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David, we, therefore, George Vere Arundell, Viscount Galway, Gov-ernor-General of the Dominion of Zealand, Michael Joseph Savage, Prime Minister of the said Dominion, and the members of the Executive Council of the said Dominion, assisted by the members of both Houses of the General Assembly, judges and magistrates, ministers of religion, Mayors, chairmen and members of local bodies, and numerous other representative European and Maori citizens here present, do now hereby with one voice and consent of tongue and heart, publish and proclaim that the high and mighty Prince Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David is now, by the death of our late Sovereign of happy memory, become our only lawful and rightful liege lord Edward the Eighth, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland and, the British dominions beyond the seas, King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor Qf India, to whom we do acknowledge all faith and constant obedience with all hearty and humble affection, beseeching God, by Wbom kings and queens do reign, to bless the Royal Prince Edward VIII with long and happy years to reign over us.

Following the Proclamation the band of the Otago Mounted Rifles played the National Anthem, after which the Mayor called upon the crowd to sing "God Save the King" to the band's accompaniment. The response to this unofficial though commendable interpolation into the formal programme provided an appropriate conclusion to a memorable occasion. CIVIL COURT SITTINGS The first sitting of the Magistrate's Court for the new year, set down to commence at 11 o'clock yesterday morning, i was adjourned until after the Proclamation, and the hearing was at noon. It was announced by Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., during the sitting that, as Tuesday will be a dies non so far aa the court is concerned, all cases set down for hearing on that day would be adjourned until \ the following Thursday. SUBURBAN OBSERVANCES KEEN PUBLIC INTEREST Similarly keen public interest was displayed in the reading of the Proclamation in the suburbs and nearby townships of Dunedin. ST. KILDA Fifty or more persons resident in the St. Kilda district were present for the reading of the Proclamation at the local Town Hall steps by the Deputy Mayor (Cr George Glue), who apologised for the inability of the Mayor (Mr H. H. Leary) to be in attendance. Associated with Mr Glue in an official capacity were the councillors, staff members, and tucal ministers of religion. The flag on the council building and that on the post office were mast-headed, after which the gathering joined in singing "God Save the King." GREEN ISLAND Green Island residents attended in large numbers the Proclamation ceremony held in front of their Council Chamber. After the hoisting of the flag on this building and on the post office the Mayor (Mr T. M'Mahon) donned the mayoral chain and read the Proclamation, following which a verse of the National Anthem was sung by all present. The local fire bell was then utilised to give the salute of 21 " guns." Councillors, members of the borough staff and their wives also took part in the function. WEST HARBOUR Owing probably to the majority of West Harbour residents being present at the ceremony in the city, only approximately 30 heard the Proclamation read by the Mayor of West Harbour (Mr A. Smith)- The proclamation was made from the steps of the Council Chambers at Ravensbourne, and associated with the Mayor were the councillors and their wives, the borough clerk (Mr W. Connor) and the Rev. J. J. Cairney and Mrs Cairncy. PENINSULA COUNTY A crowd of Peninsula residents numbering about 60 was present at the reading of the Proclamation by the chairman of the Peninsula County Council (Mr Hunter Macandrew) at Macandrew Bay. Following the raising of the flag on the hall from half-mast to the masthead, Canon Small offered a prayer, a simply impressive ceremony concluding with the singing of the National Anthem by the assemblage. PORT CHALMERS The Proclamation ceremony was carried out in King Edward square, the Mayor (Mr T. Scollay), the local member

of Parliament (Mr A. Campbell) and a number of visitors occupying the rotunda. A large and representative gathering of citizens attended, including school children. The Marine Band was drawn up in front of the rotunda, and next to them the officers and engineers of the steamers lonic and Narbada. Mr J. I. Kellett was trumpeter, and sounded the fanfare and the Royal Salute. After the Mayor had read the Proclamation he added that King Edward VIII had, when Prince of Wales, visited Port Chalmers and stood in that rotunda while the citizens expressed their loyalty to the Throne. At the conclusion of the ceremony the Mayoress (Mrs T. Scollay) met the lady visitors in the Mayor's room. The Mayor invited the shipping men to meet himself and his councillors in the Council Chambers, where the loyal toast was honoured with marked enthusiasm. LOYAL YOUNG SUBJECTS CHILDREN AT HEALTH CAMP Despite their youth the children at the Waikouaiti health camp took a keen interest in the illness of King George. The older ones read the newspapers each day and repeated parts of the messages to the younger children. When the news of the King's death was announced to them, all noise in the camp was at once stilled and more than a few shed tears for the King they had been taught to revere and who had always made kindly references to children in the broadcast messages many of them had heard at various times. Yesterday, during roll call, in a few simple words, the children were informed that the Prince of Wales had now become King Edward VIII and would reign as his father had done. They listened quietly to the brief address and in a manner which showed that they had grasped some idea of the importance of the occasion. They sang the National Anthem and were then dismissed. CEREMONIES IN OTAGO MOSGIEL There was a large attendance of citizens at the Coronation Hall, Mosgiel, to hear the Mayor (Mr A. F. Quelch) read the Proclamation. Among those present were members of the Mosgiel Borough Council, members of the Mosgiel Ministers' Association, the town clerk (Mr R. D. Rogers), Cr Stevenson, of the Taieri County Council, and the county clerk, Mr J. Logan. The National Anthem was played by the Mosgiel Municipal Band, under Conductor L. B. Borrow. Cr Findlay, chairman of the Taieri County] Council, attended at Middlemarch, and read the Proclamation to about 100 people, after which the National Anthem was sung. MILTON About 150 residents of Milton and the surrounding district assembled at the Coronation Hall at 11 o'clock yesterday morning to hear the reading of the Proclamation of the accession of King Edward VIII. Among those present were a number of borough councillors and local ministers of religion. The Bruce County Council was also officially represented by the chairman (Cr A. Renton) and the clerk (Mr U. Walker). Punctually on the stroke of 11 o'clock the Mayor (Mr D. M. Mawson) read the official Proclamation. A fanfare was sounded by Bandsman W. Kent, and the brief ceremony was terminated with the singing of a verse of the National Anthem. QUEENSTOWN . The proclamation of the accession of the Prince of Wales to the throne was read by the Mayor (Mr W. H. Overton) from the balcony of tho Town Hall at 11 o'clock yesterday morning. The weather was fine, and the streets were thronged. The ceremony in the country was carried out by Mr Leo Lee, chairman of the Lake County Council, who read the proclamation from the door of the public hall at Lower Shotover. GATHERING AT OAMARU NAVAL AND MILITARY PARADE In accordance with the request of the Prime Minister, the business premises in Oamaru and the Waitaki County were closed between 10 a.m. and noon yesterday, and at 11 o'clock there was a large gathering of residents in front of the Town Hall, where the proclamation oi the accession of his Majesty, King Edward VIII, was read by the Mayor oi Oamaru (Mr M. P. E. Cooney). Headed by the Oamaru Municipal Band, a combined parade of units of the Royal Navy and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve from the.H.M.S. Wakakura, and of B Company, Ist Otago Regiment, inarched along Thames street, and halted to face the Town Hall, the respective units being under the command of Mr Wright, Gunner (T.), R.N., Lieutenant Finch, R.N.V.R., Captain Wilkes, and Lieutenant M'Quade, the whole being under the command of Lieutenant Connelly, R.N.V.R. With the Mayor were Messrs A. H. Nordmeyer, M.P., James Rodman (chairman of the Waitaki County Council), James M'Diarmid (chairman of the Waitaki Electric Power Board), W. Forrester (chairman of the Waitaki Hospital Board); R. K. Ireland (chairman of the Oamaru Harbour Board), borough and county councillors, and members of local bodies, Archdeacon Russell and members of the Ministers' Association,

Bro. M. M. O'Connor, and representatives of the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides and other prominent citizens. After the reading of the proclamation by the Mayor, the band led in the singing of the National Anthem, and the Mayor returned thanks briefly to various representatives and citizens for their attendance. The flags in town were raised to the tops of the flagpoles to mark the accession of King Edward VIII, and remained In that position until sunset. To-day they will again be flown at half-mast. BRITISH WEST INDIES (United Press Association) (By Kle.ctric Telegraph—Copyright) KINGSTON (Jamaica), January 22. (Received Jan. 23, at 11p.m.) The British West Indies celebrated the accession of King Edward. At Kingston the Governor proclaimed the new King in front of Victoria's statue in the city's principal square before members of the Privy Council and the populace. Similarly in Nassau the Governor proclaimed the new monarch from the balcony of the Legislative Council, and the legislature met in special session to swear allegiance to King Edward. In Bermuda the Legislative Council also took the oath of allegiance and the accession was proclaimed at an impressive military ceremony NO PROCLAMATION IN DUBLIN (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, January 23. (Received Jan. 24, at 1 a.m.) The Daily Telegraph's Dublin correspondent says: " King Edward was not proclaimed at Dublin. It is understood that the Government's view is that a formal proclamation is unnecessary as the Governor-General, on his assumption of office, swore allegiance to ' George and his heirs and successors.' As King George's heir is now King it is considered that the original oath entirely meets the situation." Mr Dulanty did not attend the accession council on January 21. The Daily Telegraph says he communicated with Dublin before the council met and received certain instructions. An official of the High Commissioner's Office explained that "Mr Dulanty takes his orders from Dublin."