LYING IN STATE.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13165, 25 January 1936, Page 5

LYING IN STATE.

DEAD KING IN WESTMINSTER HALL.

15,000 MOURNERS FILE PAST HOURLY.

United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, January 24

Hundreds eager to pay homage to the King attempted to queue up last night in readiness for the opening of Westminster Hall at 8 a.m. to-day. Many arrived with camp stools, rugs and vacuum flasks. The police refused a permit for a queue and continued to move on the arrivals, mostly women, who insisted upon being first to enter and frequently returned. Finally, towards midnight, a queue was allowed and soon it stretched half-a-mile continually.

It is estimated that 15,000 will pass hourly through the solemn chamber, where the dead King awaits a last audience with his people.

King George lies in state in historic Westminster Hall, where his dead father similarly received the last homage of his people. The coffin from xhe which the gold, scarlet and blue folds of the Royal Standard fall over the purple catafalque, stands out on the dais with the dignity of a cenotaph in a pool of light thrown by four huge candelabra. Eight others direct their rays upward, flood lighting the age-old timbered roof. The remainder of the vast hall lies in shadow. At the head of the coffin rests a single wreath—Queen Alary’s—and in the centre scintillates his Majesty’s Imperial Crown. Below the shrine is the Sceptre with the Cullinan diamand and the Royal Orb, while draped at the foot of the coffin is the scarlet, the King's colour, of the Grenadier Guards. Six candles of unbleached wax, in great silver candlesticks. burn unwaveringly in the stillness, while a silvern and jewelled cross rises above the head of the coffin.

Yeomen of the Guard, their scarlet surcoats hidden by blue cloaks, stand at the four corners of the dais their criinson-tasseled pikes reversed. Until Tuesday the late King will be guarded in silent majesty. The guards are being relieved every hnlihour.

It is now disclosed that the vibration of the gun-carriage passing through London caused a loosening of the Maltese cross, jewelled with valuable Indian stones, which surmounted the Crown. The cross eventually fell to the road, where it was picked up by an officer in the procession. A member of the Court jewellers was hastily summoned and repaired the damage in a few seconds before the service started in AYestminster Hall.

SERVICE AT “THE HALL.” LONDON. January 23. We stminster Hall contained many who were there on the King’s memorable visit on Alay 8 to receive the Jubilee congratulations of tlie Houses or Parliament. The assemblage, in heavy mourning, was as hushed as previously it had been animated. All the dignity of England was assembled beneath the timbered roof of Westminster Hall, represenof the Court. Church the H ouse of Lords, the House of ( ominous, Judges, and the Press. AROUND THE CATAFALQUE. The Duke of Norfolk, raising his wand of office, commanded the opening of the doors. The Archbishop of Canterbury put on his purple skull cap and passed through to receive the coffin, which was placed on the catafalque. The King, the Queen, and other Royal took up their position at thp head of the coffin, heralds standing on either side.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, standing on the lower j-tep of the dais, pronounced in a firm, clear voice which was audible in every corner of the vast hall the opening prayer of a simple and impressive service: “O Saviour of the World, Why by Thy Cross and precious blood redeemed us, save us and help us, we humbly beseech Thee.” The congregation joined in the Lord’s Prayer, after which the Archbishop of Canterbury pronounced a special prayer of thankfulness for tin- blessings of the reign of King George. The Abbey choir sang the hymn “Praise Aly Soul, tie- King of Heaven,” and the Archbishop of Canterbury pronounced the Benediction and conducted the Royal mourners to the door.

KING’S LAST SIGNATURE. LONDON, January 23. The most impressive speech in the House of Lords, which approved a message similar to that of the House of Commons, came from the Archbishop of Canterbury, who said: “Let me lay some emphasis on his steadfast devotion to duty. I do so because it was revealed in a most moving manner on the last day of his life when at noon, propped up in a. chair and looking so frail and weak, he received the last Privy Council. To the orders constituting a Council of State he gave in his own clear tones his familiar ‘Approved,' and then he made deliberate and repeated efforts which were most gallant and pathetic to sign his last State papex with liis own hand. \\ lien the effort became too great lor him he turned to the Council with the last kindly and kingly smile. It was a. scene which those who beheld it will never forget. 1 hope I have not been guilty of impropriety in describing it. I think it is worthy of record. It shows that what rallied him in his last conscious hour was his old uiuleviating response to the claim of duty.” In .reference to the Archbishop’s statement, it is learned that the King did in fact make a mark on the document, but as a signature it was i mleciphera hie.

ONSET OF FINAL ILLNESS. A statement based on an authority giving some medical details published in the British Aledical Journal and The Lancet says that the King rode his pony on January 15 and showed signs of mild catarrh on January US, which soon began to abate. The “disquiet” expressed on January 17 and 18 arose from evidence of cardiac insufficiency. The margin of cardiac reserve had been narrowing. This illness therefore arose from within and was in the nature of a culmination. It was not thus comparable to the invading streptococcal septicaemia, being localised at the base of the right lung, from which King George suffered in 1928. That illness i nevitably placed heavy burdens on the heart, and it may therefore have had a casual relationship to the last illness. It is a remarkable achievement for King George to have recovered from septicaemia and to have reigned for seven years through eventful and sometimes anxious times. This last chapter in the King’s life showed that his body carlied on the ' work till its powers ended, and then came to rest after an illness which was short and peaceful in its close. AIANY CHANGES TAKE PLACE. LONDON, January 23. I he King’s message to Parliament creates a precedent inasmuch as it is framed in the first person. King George’s message in 1910 began in the traditional style: “The King knows the House of Commons shares sorrow, etc.” King Edward’s began with: “I.”

Parliamentarians detect in the change King Edward*s simple yet dignified directness of manner.

The British Broadcasting Corporation announces that the funeral service on January 28 is being relayed throughout the Empire. The Royal Standard was flown at St. James’ Palace lor the first time for 99 years, while the Queen’s household flag was hoisted at Buckingham Palace.

The King has replied to a message from the Pope as follows: Her Majesty the Queen joins with me in assuring his Holiness of our most grateful and heart-felt appreciation of your sympathy in the great grief which has come upon us and the British peoples through the death of the King, my beloved father.” HEARD NEWS IN AIR. SINGAPORE, January 23. Imperial Airways’ machine Aurora heard the wireless announcement of the King's death when at an altitude of 6000 feet between Calcutta and Akyab, and immediately dived in salute.

X.Z. R-S.A. CHURCH PARADE

Electric Telegraph—Press Association WE L LING TON, La st Night. Hon. W. Perry, president of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association. to-night issued the following notice to returned soldiers throughout the Dominion: “On Sunday, January 26, all returned soldiers are requested to attend the various c-liurch services to be held by their respective denominations in memory of his late Alajesty King George V., wearing medals and decorations, and as tar as practicable, going as on parades.” ROULETTE WHEELS TO STOP. MONTE CARLO, January 24. The roulette wheels at ' Monte Carlo will cease to turn during thelate King George's funeral. It will be the first time in history of the famous gaming tables that such a tribute has been paid. At 3 p.m. all play will be suspended and the gamblers will rise and observe a minute’s silence.