REPLY FROM THE KING

Southland Times, Issue 23287, 25 August 1937, Page 6

REPLY FROM THE KING

RESIDENT OF SOUTH HILLEND MR JOHN EWAN THANKED FOR MESSAGE The Private Secretary is commanded by the King to convey an expression of sincere thanks to Mr JOHN EWAN for his message of loyal assurances on the occasion of their Majesties’ Coronation. Mr John Ewan, of South Hillend, has received this message of thanks from Buckingham Palace. He was born near Balmoral Castle, in Scotland, and in his boyhood met members of the Royal Family. Since coming to. New Zealand he has at different times communicated with members of the Royal family, and when the Duke of Gloucester visited Invercargill two and ahalf years ago he sent for Mr Ewan and entertained him on the Royal train. Mr Ewan possesses several messages from members of the Royal family. Relating some of his experiences to The Southland Times, Mr Ewan said he was born in the parish of Crathie and Braemar, where Balmoral Castle, the Highland home of their Majesties, is situated. He attended church at Crathie, where the Royal family worships when in residence at Balmoral. He recalled that Queen Victoria visited his mother each time she went to Balmoral, twice a year, and on one memorable occasion the Queen commanded

her Highland aide-de-camp to give Mr Ewan and his brother each a shilling. “I shall never forget that proud moment,” said Mr Ewan. Mr Ewan also met the Duke of Windsor, then the Prince of Wales. He was one of a party in a deer drive arranged in honour of the Prince, and so much did the Prince enjoy the drive that he called all of the attendants to the Castle and presented each with a pipe. “Their Majesties are in residence at Balmoral Castle at the present time,” added Mr Ewan. “It is a fine old castle, built by the Prince Consort in 1854. It stands on the south side of the river Dee and is situated amid beautiful surroundings of woods backed by the immense mountain mass of ‘dark Lochnagar.’ The castle is closed to the public, but admission to the grounds may be obtained by arrangement when the Royal family is not in residence.”