KING PROCLAIMED.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume IV, Issue 38, 24 January 1936, Page 5

KING PROCLAIMED.

Solemn and Dignified Proceedings.

15,000 PEOPLE ASSEMBLE AT WELLINGTON. Press Association—Copyright. Wellington, Jan. 23, With solemnity and simple dignity befitting the occasion the new King was proclaimed from the steps of Parliament buildings to-day by the GovernorGeneral, Viscount Galway, before a concourse of 15,000 people. The proceedings, winch lasted barely a quarter of an hour, were carried out with perfect precision until the close of the ceremony, when His Excellency called for three cheers for His Majesty King Edward. There was no demonstration on the part of the massed assemblage, which was hushed with the significance of the occasion and followed intently every detail of the proceedings. The weather was fine but overcast. A holiday was declared between the hours of 10 o’clock and noon. Shortly after 10 o'clock crowds started to stream on to Parliament grounds from every direction. A guard o r honour was provided for his Excellency by units from the sloop Wellington and from the training depot. Immediately the Governor-General arrived he was accorded a Royal salute and the Union Jack was broken from the peak of the flagpole attached to the dais. On the other side was the New Zealand ensign and across the front of the dais flags were hung. His Excellency, who was accompanied by Captain Heb(!r Percy, inspected the guard of honour and was attended by General Sir William Sinclair-Burgess, Captain Morgan, naval secretary, and Squadron-Leader T. M. Wilkes, all of whom wore black mourning bands on their sleeves. As His Excellence’ mounted the dais those seated stood and remained standing throughout the ceremony. He was given the proclamation of accession by the clerk of the Executive Council, and as he turned to face the crowd the trumpets sounded to herald the ceremony.

“God Save the King."

In clear, measured tones His Excel- i lency read the proclamation, which was 1 signed by himself and the Prime Minis- ; ter and the following members of the j Ministry: Messrs. Fraser, Nash, Sullivan, , Mason, Armstrong, Parry, Jones, Lee i Martin, Langstone, the Hon. Mark Fagan, j also the Chief Justice (Sir Michael My- j ers), Sir Francis Bell and Sir Apirana 1 Ngata (representing the Maori race). ; When the reading was finished His ! Excellency, raising his voice, solemnly ■ proclaimed, “God Save the King.” j Immediately there was a fanfare of j trumpets and salutes of 21 guns were : fired alternately Oy H.M.S. Wellington ; and the military battery at Fort Jerningham, the signal for the first shot being flashed to the gunners from the top of ! Parliament buildings as soon as the i reading of the proclamation had ended. ■ Simultaneously , flags on Government ' buildings were r i up to the peak and ! will remain there until sunset. The Wei- i lington Regimental Band played the Na- j tional Anthem and the final, and one of | the most impressive, features of the pro- ; ceedings was His Excellency's command | to those assembled to bare their heads j and give three cheers for the King. With one voice the crowd enthusiastic- | ally professed its loyalty to the new j King, a salvo of cheers being a fitting \ climax to an inspirinr ceremony. | His Excellency then returned to Gov- ; eminent House. Special accommodation | was provided on the steps of the build- j ings for members of Parliament, local | body representatives, members of foreign I consulates and others, while the official j party was seated with the Governor- j General on the dais. This included the | Prime Minister, Mr. M. J. Savage, Min- I isters of the Crown, the Speaker of the I House of Representatives, Sir Francis j Bell, the Chief Justice, Sir Michael j Myers, church dignitaries and the Mayor i of Wellington, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop. |

A peal of 10 bells was sounded from | the national carillon during the firing 1 of the salute. ';