THE CORONATION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18962, 12 March 1936, Page 12

THE CORONATION

FITTING ROYAL CROWN

THE COURT Ob 1 CLAIMS

LONDON, I'Yli. .15. The measurements of King Edward VII Is lu-ad have already been taken, so that Ihe size, of the Crown may bo adjusted, if necessary. An early proclamation of Ihe exact date of the coronation is expected. Ii i.s pointed out that I lie previous three ceremonies have all been arranged for June, although thai of Edward VII was postponed until August., while a llinr-d.iv has been chosen on five previous occasion's. It is believed, however, that the in'.'sent King may wish to put the dale forward to June. Before then, there are important matters to be arranged, among them the setting up of the famous Court oi Claims. I his Court, which dates back almost, to the Norman Conquest, consists of a ti'ibuual of Privy Councillors and Judges, presided over by the Lord Chancellor, who will hear many petitions from hereditary office-holders. Lords and commoners alike claim special hereditary permission to attend the ceremony' or perform some special duty for their Sovereign. Often more (ban one person claims' the same office, and barristers have been briefed to plead their cases before this Court. ANCIENT LIGHTS

For example, at Edward Vll's coronation, the Duke of Newcastle and the Earl of .Shrewsbury each claimed the right to provide a "love for the. King's right hand. The 'Duke eventually prevailed. The present 22-year-old Karl of Shrewsbury can. however, claim the right to carry a white wand as a symbol of his office" of Lord High Steward of Ireland.

Other claims include one for tasting the King's wine before he drinks it. for fear nf poison; for the posts of Chief Larderer, Master of the Silvei Scullery, or for the picturesque title o! King's'Champion, who. at Ihe Corona* Lion banquet, challenges to mortal com ha! any person who jnigllt declare that the King is not the rightful ruler. Tin Barons of the Cinque Ports will probably again succeed in their claim to carry a canopy over the King. The ireh'aio claim- of the King's Hei-bstrewer and Master. Falconer stand small chance of prevailing. Next year, the actual ceremony of the coronation is likely to he broadcast for I In- first time. What will the eoro nation ceremony and the weeks of preparation cost? King George's coronation

•ost i!245,0C0, I.in £ISO,OCO of that sum was allowed . lot" entertaining foreign v vins?a and princes. Though the figure next year will almost, certainly be smaller', there will probably be an increase in the allowmcps of the Office of Works and for naval, military, and police duties. The 2,C00,000 people who reputedly lined the route for King George's funeral have ■liven the authorities a new lesson in ■•ontrolling huge, crowds. Scotland Yard will take every precaution to prevent l repetition of the high casualty list .I' (lie King's funeral Inst month.