KINGLY MIEN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19070, 18 July 1936, Page 15

KINGLY MIEN

CALM IN CRISIS SUPERB DIGNITY SHOWN PROCESSION INCIDENT CEREMONY CARRIED OUT MARCH PAST BY GUARDS (Klc.c. Tel. Copyright—United Pros* Assn.) (Reed July 17. c» p.m.) LONDON, July 16. In (he pleasant tree-bordered avenue of Constitution Hill leading from Hyde Park corner to 'Buckingham Palace, thousands of men, women and children were gathered to see the King ride at the head of his Guards. Bright sunshine Hooded the sanded road us the horsemen in their scarlet- uniforms came slowlv into view. With superb dignity the King rodo forward, with the Duke of York justbehind him. . The crowds began to cheer and then swiftly the amazing thing happened. There was a. glittering flash through the ■air and a shining object fell at the feet of the King's horse. J . .. A terrific struggle broke, out m the crowd, while straight, to the spot walloped a mounted policeman,.who leapt from his saddle into a seething mass and caught hold of a man. Meanwhile another mounted policeman had galloped from the other side of the road and, jumping down, had picked up the whining object, just behind the King. It. was a nickel-plated revolver. The hubbub in the crowd became intense, but. through all this astounding incident, and the, ensuing confusion the Kin"- rode on unperturbed, preserving a dignity which will never be. forgotten by those who saw it. HUBBUB INTENSE When the revolver fell, the horse owitched in alarm. The King checked it with a masterly hand on the reins. He looked sideways for a moment at the scene beside the road and then gazed straight ahead. Chin up, mouth firm and with his shoulders squared, ho proceeded slowlv and calmly, with magnificent poise and perfect composure, and took up his post to receive the salute of the Guards who followed him. For 20 minutes the King sat. his horse jutside the sunny palace while battalion after battalion marched past with their accustomed precision. On the Kingi's face there was no tremor of emotion and 10 sign of the experience he bad just mdergone. His Majesty returned to St. Janus' Palace for luncheon and then, liter attention to urgent, papers, drove to Coombe Hill for a round of golf. Queen Mary was among the first, to congratulate King Edward on his safe return to the palace following to-day s incident near Hyde Park corner. The Queen and the Duke of Connaught and other members of the Royal family motored (o the palace from the. ceremony and were unaware of the incident ■is they watched the King take the salute n the palace forecourt. It was not, uuil the Royalties entered the palace thai tltcv heard the news of the inei!en(. The Duke of Kent learned of it it Plymouth. Hearing that his brother" -vas unhurt, he decided to complete his programme. WORLD-WID E FEE UNO World-wide congratulations on the King's escape from a threat of death ire pouring into the palace. Lord Craigavon sent a message stat■ng that Northern Ireland was deeply noved tit the outrage and expressing horror at the occurrence and tendering sympathy and loyal devotion. " The Italian Embassy has announced that immediately on hearing the news, Signer Mussolini personally instructed by telephone the Italian Charge d'Affaues to call at the palace and present heartfelt felicitations on the King's escape, An official of the French Embassy, acting on the instructions of M. Lebrun, the President of France, called at the palace and presented good wishes, while tho French Foreign Minister, M. Delbos, sent a message to the British Foreign Minister, on behalf of the French Government, expressing consternation over the occurrence and relief to learn of the King's escape. Tho Austrian Chancellor, Dr. Schusch nigg, telegraphed from Vienna expressing Austria's horror and congratulating the King on bis escape. King Leopold sent a message, from Brussels, expressing gratification that King Edward was unharmed.

FORMULATION OF CHARGE LENGTHY CONFERENCE POSSESSION OP ARMS (Reed. July 17, 3 p.m.) LONDON, July 16. _ The man arrested following to-day's incident near Hyde Park corner, George Andrew MoMahon, is 35 years of age. it is gathered that there was a lengthy conference of the police, law officers., and the Crown before the formulation of the charge, which was that of •'unlawfully having in his possession on July 16 a, loaded Chicago Arms Company revolver with intent to endanger 'life, and property, contrary Id section 7 of the Firearms Act, 1920." With characteristic formality, the court circular dues not mention the incident., the circular describing the King's movements in the simple sentence: "At the conclusion of Hie ceremony the King rode buck to the palace at the head of the troops, the regiments marching past His Majpsly outside the palace." NEW ZEALAND RELIEF HEARTFELT THANKS ESCAPE FROM DANCER PRIME .MINISTER SPEAKS (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. "Every subject of His Majesty the King will l)C distressed to learn of the most unplesant incident reported today," declared the Prime Minister, the Rt. lion. M. J. Savage "I wish, on behalf of His .Majesty's subjects in New Zealand, to express our heartfelt relief and thankfulness that the incident had no more serious outcome. The King's kindliness and his interest in the well-being of his subjects has won for him an enduring

place in their hearts. "In these days when ideals of democracy are being so gravely threatened, we look with renewed thankfulness and pride to the British Monarchy, which lias set a standard of service that has won the devotion and admiration of nil British peoples."