THE KING

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11027, 27 December 1928, Page 5

THE KING

IMPROVEMENT IN HEALTH 1 NATIONWIDE GRATIFICATION. United Press Assn —By Electric Telegraph —Copyright. LONDON December 26. The latest bulletin lias caused nat-ion-wide gratification and an atmosphere of happiness and relief throughout the Palace. The authorities consider the most assuring sign is that the King is maintaining his strength. The extreme slowness of progress continues, therefore they do not expect anv rapid advance. Sir Stanley Hewett still remains at the Palace where Sir Hugh Rigby consulted him this morning. It is considered significant that Lord Dewson did not attend till the evening, when there was an hour’s consultation. Sir Hugh Rigbv and Lord Dawson departed immediately after the bulletin. The royal family visited the King throughout the day. It was a happy Christmas reunion at the Palace where it is ten years since the royal family spent Christmas together. After service at the Palace chapel the royal family, except the Prince of AA’ales, remained to luncheon. The Queen walked in the Palace grounds in the afternoon. CHRISTMAS EVENING AT THE PALACE. LONDON, December 25. Christmas evening at the Palace was devoted to a family dinner party at which the Queen. Prince of Wales Duke and Duchess of York, Duke of Gloucester, Prince George and Princess Mary were present. Sir Stanley Hewett was the only out-side guest. Viscount Lascells was. absent fulfilling engagements in Yorkshire. Princess Elizabeth did not visit the Palace, hut played joyously in a toy-ful nursery. Elaborate provision was made at the Palace for the staff’s entertainment. the Queen being desirous that the. King’s illness should not interfere with the festivities. QUEEN’S -GIFT TO HERSELF. LONDON. December 26. Continuing her policy of presenting herself with the object she most desired at Christmas, Queen Mary selected a seven-linked bracelet of platinum encircled with cut diamonds in three divisions of which were beautiful miniatures of her grandchildren Princess Elizabeth and the Honourables George and Gerald Lascelles. It is understood the four remaining divisions will later contain likenesses cf the Queen’s four sons. DUKE OF GLOUCESTER. LONDON, December 24. The Duke of Gloucester reached Southampton at siy in the morning and left immedately by car for London driving himself and travelling fast despitevthe drizzle. He was anxious to reach the Palace. Passengers report that the Duke remained aloof early in th e voyage but was more cheerful when the bulletins improved and he then joined in the ship’s social life. POPE’S GRACIOUS AA’ORDS. ROME, December 26.. The Pope, Replying to the Cardinals said the improvement in King George's condition rejoiced him. “AA’e have trembled and prayed for the life of a sovereign who graciously visited us and whose Empire is the greatest in t-hfei world. Many millions cf Catholics live and prosper within it as th e Eucharistic Congress in Australia proved. We trembled and prayed for the life of a sovereign who always showed himself well disposed and benevolent towards all those Catholics.”