THE ACCESSION OF KING EDWARD VII.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3003, 29 January 1901, Page 2

THE ACCESSION OF KING EDWARD VII.

United Press Association—Per Electric

Telegraph—Copyright. Received 1.20 a.m., January 29th. LONDON, January 24. The Proclamation of the King will be ma‘de to-day. King Edward sends a message to Parliament on Friday. Heralds proclaimed the King at St. James’ Palace.

Before King Edward entered the Privy Council Chamber the councillors and civic dignitaries approved and signed the Proclamation of accession.

King Edward, on entering rile Chamber, spoke extemporaneously with great earnestness, feelingly describing his irreparable loss. With the Empire’s sympathy he would constantly endeavour to walk in his mother’s footsteps ns a constitutional sovereign in the strictest sense. His Majesty said that he would) work for the good and amelioration of his people. In choosing the title of “Edward” he did not undervalue the name of Albert, which he inherited from his ever to be lamented great and wise father, who by universal consent was deservedly known as “Albert the Good.” His Majesty desired that his father’s name should stand alone. His Majesty added:—“l trust to Parliament and the nation to support me in the arduous duties devolving upon me through my inheritance.” Lord Salisbury administered the King’s oaths, and the Privy Councillors were then sworn.

On returning to Marlborough House the King was greeted with cheers and shouts of “ Long live the King.” Received 1.32 a.m,, January 29th..

At Temple Bar and the Royal Exchange there was a great concourse of people. King Edward was not present. Six thousand five hundred troops lined the route from the palace to the city. The King has returned to Osborne greatly cheered.

Received 1.13 a.m., January 29th. SYDNEY, January 28. Tire Commonwealth issued a “ Gazette ” (o-night containing the Proclamation of King Edward VII. as Emperor of India and Supreme Lord in and over the Commonwealth of Australia.

lain states that he had been oomrnae'ed by the King to convey the cordial thanks of the Royal Family to Lord Hopetoun, the Commonwealth, and the public bodies for their messages of sympathy.

Received 12.22 a.m., January 29th. LONDON, January 24,

Condolences and tributes are worldwide, including messages from heads of States, Parliaments, Governments, and churches in the colonies and cities.

The Emperor of Austria cabled to King Edward that the Queen was his loyal and gracious friend, and that mutual feelings of friendly sympathy are consistent with the basis of our political relations

The Kaiser ordered the officers of the German Army into mourning for a fortnight, and the Dragoon Guards’ Regiment, of which the Queen was honorary colonel, is to go into moruning for three weeks. The German public buildings and warships are to fly Hags at naif-mast it 11 the end of the funeral. All State functions at Berlin and Paris have been postponed. Speeches in foreign Parliaments particularised the Queen’s relations with their several countries, each claiming some special reason for veneration.

The newspapers on the Continent equally appreciated the Queen’s rare qualities as a sovereign. The German, Russian, and French press are hopeful of King Edward’s wide sympathies and ripe experience. There are general signs of sincere feeling in Portugal, and in America the newspapers appreciate the messages from Canada and Australia as strengthening kinship. An extraordinary national demou-

stration of grief and loyalty was shown in India and general regard was displayed in Egypt.

Received 12.47 a.m., January 29th.

The body of the Queen reposes in the death chamber. The features are wonderfully placid and beautiful-looking, and Her Majesty looks younger than she had done in recent years. Her silvery hair is under a white lawn coif, and a fair white fabric enwraps the body. The hands are crossed on the breast, the left uppermost and showing her wedding ring. The head is slightly inclined to the side; snowdrops and lilies from the Queen’s own gardens strewing the bed, a golden cross gleaming in the shadows over her head.

The household and servants and tenant* of the estate were admitted to-day. There will be a full military funeral in about ten days at Windsor and Frogmore. The remains will be transferred to-day to the dining room, which has been transformed into a chapel. The “Lancet” states that the Queen’s death was due to cerebal failure, and that the physicians experienced great uneasiness at the Queen’s recurring apathy and torpor with aphasic indications; but that the heart’s action was maintained throughout. Received 1.32 a.m., January 29th. The Court- will go into mourning for twelve months. Half mourning begins on January 24th. The army officers will wear crape on the left arm of uniforms and great coats till March sth. The Court of Roumania goes into ten weeks’ mourning, and that of fSaxe-Coburg to six weeks; at Berlin, Lisbon and Vienna four weeks, and Madrid, Saxony, and Baden for three weeks. ■ During the last moments the Rector of Winchester read special prayers in the Queen s room, and the Bishop late in the evening conducted a short service in the death chamber in the presence of the Royalties. Mr Austin, the Poet Laureate, has written a poem entitled “Victoria.”

The spontaniety with which the general public adopted the mourning dress is phenomenal. The Agents-General have written to the King, sympathising with him on the death of his. august mother. Members of Parliament are engaged in oath-taking daily. Addresses of condolence with the Royal family and congratulations to the King on his accession will be submitted to both Houses on Friday.

Received 2.14 a.m., January 29th. There were disgraceful scenes in Battersea Borough Council, where objections were raised to resolutions of condolence with the King. Eventually the resolutions were carried with two dissentients.

Fighty-one minute guns were fired in St. James’ Park, and every fortress in the Kingdom announced the Queen’s death.

The theatres are closed until the funeral, and the music halls will be closed on the day of the funeral.

The Dublin Corporation elected Mr Timothy Harrington Lord Mayor. He opposed Ins predecessor’s resolution of condolence with the Royal family, which was ultimately carried by 30 to 22. The Cork Corporation unanimously condoled, but the North Dublin Board of Guardians refused.

The Irish Nationalist papers are respectful, and pay frank tributes to the great personal virtues of the late Queen.

Per Press Association.

WANGANUI, January 28. At the meeting of the Chamber of Commerce to-night a resolution of regret at the Queen’s death was passed unanimously.

WELLINGTON, January 28.

His Excellency the Governor has received the following cablegram from the Secretary of State :or the Colonies:—“His Majesty the King and the Royal Family are very grateful for the very numerous manifesto cions of sympathy which have been received from the colony of New Zealand.” The AgenbGeneral cables to the Government intimating that the Queen’s funeral takes place on Saturday, and stating that the Duke of York takes the title of Duke of Cornwall.

It is the intention of the Acting-Premier to declare Saturday next, the day of the Royal funeral, a Government .holiday in all parts of the colony. At the various post and telegraph offices Sunday hours on;y will be observed, and all banks, mercantile liouses, and places of business are to bj asked to suspend business during the whole day out of respect to the meof Her Majesty. Mr Ward fears that it will be impossible to interfere with the railway traffic beyond the previous announcement, which enjoins a complete suspension of traffic for half-an-hour at mid-day on the day of the funeral. The Government have asked the Countess of Ranfurly and Lord Northland, of the Coldstream Guards (son of the Governor), to represent New Zealand at Her Majesty’s funeral.

I his morning His Excellency received the following cablegram from the Secretary of State lor the Colonies:—“His Majesty the King and the Royal Family comand me to express their sincere gratitude, in which His Majesty’s Government join, for the sympathy of New Zealand at the lamented death •of Her Majesty Queen Victoria. (Signed) Chamberlain.”

The following cablegram, dated London, 24th January, reached His Excellency the Governor this morning;—The order for general mourning states that all persons are expected to put themselves into the deepest mourning from the 28th January. (Signed) Chamberlain.” The breakdown in the cable service is responsible for the above message arriving so late.

In order to enable the ceremony of ffte

Yesterday at noon the children of Kingsdown, after hoisting the flag mast-high, gave three hearty cheers for King Edward VIII., and were then dismissed.

The ceremonies enjoined by the Governor in connection with the Proclamation of the King were duly observed at Temuka, the townspeople being notified by the crier. The children attending the public schools were granted a holiday. In the unavoidable absence of the Mayor, the Proclamation was read by Mr E. Pilbrow, Town Clerk, and at the close cheers wex - e given for the King. The Proclamation did not arrive at Fairlie soon enough to be read at the time mentioned in the Acting-Premier’s message, but shortly before 1 o’clock the Chairman of the County Council. Mr F. R. Gillingham, received the Proclamation from the Postmaster, and read it to the residents of Fairlie and the immediate vicinity. Considering the short notice (the morning papers not arriving until 10 o’clock), there was a good gathering to hear His Most Gracious Majesty Edward VII. proclaimed King. At the conclusion of the reading the County Chairman called for three cheers for the King, which were heartily given.

By about 11.30 St. Andrews was astir, old and young seemingly taking a, great interest in the Proclamation about to be received. Punctually at 11.50 all the black pendants were removed, and flags raised to lop-mast. The Rev. R. Mackie’ as Chairman of the School Committee, kindly consented to read the Governor’s Proclamation, which was received shortly after 12 o’clock. Mr Mackie read the Proclamation that Edward VII. is our noble King. The Rev. L. C. Brady briefly addressed the gathering, which was large and representative, considering the slant notice. A verse of “ God Save the King ” was then sung, after which a Royal salute of 21 shots was fired and the church bells rang for half an hour.

Yesterday morning the Pleasant Point .School Committee decided to give the children a, holiday in compliance with the Acting-Premier’s request. The children were marshalled and gathered round the

flag, which was run mast high, the children singing “ God Save the King.” On receipt of the Proclamation at 12.30 the auctioneers adjourned the sale, and the crowd assembled at the school grounds. At the invitation of Mr W. Ray the Rev. Mr White read the Acting-Premier’s telegram, after which Mr Ray (chairman of School Committee) read the telegram conveying the Proclamation. The crowd, about 400, then gave three cheers and sang a verse of the National Anthem, after which the stock sale was re-commenced. The Rev. Mr White thanked all for their attendance and showing their patriotism. All the business places in the township were closed from 11 to 1 p.m. Yesterday Dr Barclay, Mayor of Waimate, proclaimed the accession of King Edward VII. to the throne. About three hundred people assembled in front of the Post Office, the front of which had been’ draped with a large Union Jack. On the platform stood the Mayor, the town councillors, the ministers and priests of the churches in the town, and several of the leading men of Waimate. The Mayor apologised for the short notice which he was obliged to give, as he had received the intimation only that morning. He read the Proclamation at half-past 12 o’clock, and in a short and appropriate speech said that the hopes of the people of the Empire were now fixed on their new King, and that he would prove to be a wise, noble, good successor to the late Queen, so deeply and widely lamented. After the Proclamation the band played the National Anthem and the Fire Brigade bell was rung. The shops were all closed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The mourning drapery was removed from all the flags, which were hoisted from halfmast to mast high at which they remained throughout the afternoon. The school, which had opened in the morning after the Christmas holidays, was closed at 11 a.m. for the remainder of the day.

In response to the invitation of the acting-Premier, the residents of Winchester carried out the proclamation ceremonies right loyally yesterday afternoon. The school children received a holiday in honour of the event, and punctually at 11.55 Mr De Renzy hoisted the Union Jack and New Zealand ensign mast high in the park. Notices were then posted over the township asking everyone to assemble at 12.30 to hear the Governor’s Proclamation. Owing to some delay in transmission the message was not received till 2.30 p.m. By this time a large crowd had assembled in front of the Winchester Mechanics’ Institute, when Major Young, as chairman of the Domain Board, and a very old resident, read the Proclamation. The Major, who was in full uniform, performed his part in excellent style. Mr John Opie, chairman of the School Committee, then led off “God Save the King.” Mr De Renzy expressed profound regret that Her Gracious Majesty had been called to her rest before the close of the cruel and protracted war. ' She was the . best sovereign who had ever sat on the British throne, and her reign had been long, happy and glorious ; but he felt sure that in King Edward VII. we would have a worthy successor, and though his reign could not possibly be so long, he trusted it would be equally prosperous and happy. Three hearty cheers were then given for the King, and the'proceedings, which were characterised by great loyalty and enthusiasm, terminated.

Per Press Association. y

WELLINGTON, January 28.

The Hon. J. G. Ward has received acknowledgments from the Mayors throughout the colony in regard to his request for the Proclamation of the King. All of the Mayors have replied stating that the ceremonies were carried out as directed, and were attended by large gatherings. The public reading of the Proclamation had been everywhere received with great enthusiasm, cheers being given for His Majesty. In a number of places the Maoris attended in force, and took great interest in the proceedings, the chiefs delivering loyal speeches after the reading of the Proclamation. After to-day’s proclamation-ceremony, prior to which the Governor had taken the oath of allegiance to the King, another meeting of the Executive Council was held at Government House, and several affairs of State received attention.

The' following cablegram has been sent by His Excellency the Governor to thq Secretary of State for the Colonies : —“My Government, on behalf of the entire colony, desire to offer their hearty congratulations and humble homage on His Majesty’s accession to the throne of our glorious Empire, and all devoutly pray that His Majesty may be long spared. I desire to assure the King of the true love, devotion and loyalty of the colony. (Signed) Ranfurly.”