BETTER NEWS OF KING

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 531, 7 December 1928, Page 9

BETTER NEWS OF KING

What Bulletins Reveal NO REFERENCE TO HEART Significant, Hopeful Omission THE King - now seems to be making - progress, according - to latest reports. The bulletins now make no mention of his heart, which is regarded as significant and good. (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) (United Service)

Reed. Noon. LONDON, Thursday. The King’s physicians, Sir Stanley Hewett and Lord Dawson of Penn, issued the following bulletin at 10.45 a.m. to-day: “His Majesty passed a fair night and his temperature this morning is lower. His general condition is slowly improving. The infective process, which remains severe, is becoming more local ised.” This bulletin is regarded as distinctly reassuring. The absence of any reference to the heart is considered a' specially good sign. Lord Dawson arrived at the Palace at 9.30, and remained in consultation with Sir Stanley Hewett an hour and a-lialf before he wrote the bulletin, which was only posted at the Palace gates at 11.30. Thousands outside the . Palace awaited it with considerable anxiety. There had been continuous inquirers all night, though the thick fog made it necessary to strike matches or use electric torches to read’ the bulletin. Elaborate precautions were taken to prevent the fog penetrating the royal compartments. Sir Stanley Hewett immediately devised a method by which the Palace electricians installed special apparatus to prevent the fog reaching the sick-room. Lord Dawson returned at 2.30 p.m. and had a brief consultation with Sir Stanley Hewett, but no bulletin was issued. The Queen enjoyed an afternoon drive and looked much more cheerful than for some days. The Central News Agency learns that there was no change in the King’s condition at four o’clock. Lord Dawson and Sir Stanley arrived at the Palace at 7.15 p.m., and issued a-bulletin at 8.30: — “The King’s general condition is the same as described in the morning’s bulletin. Localisation of the infection at the base of the right side of the chest is rather more defined, conforming to the progress of the illness during the past two days.” A medical authority sums up the King’s condition as follows:—“A continuous payment out of the hank of health, but sleep and rest are supplying a steady stream of deposits on the credit side. The drain of the payments out cannot possibly last fhuch longer and, unless there is a sudden and unexpected demand, the credit side will soon assert itself definitely.” The medical expert of the “Daily Chronicle” criticises what he describes as the cryptic note in the bulletins about the .King’s condition. He says they have not afforded information of the kind the public have a right to expect. The public are becoming impatient at the seemingly unnecessary reticence, says the paper. It adds that the latest news continues to cause misgivings. A British Official Wireless message says that the Queen in responding to a message of sympathy from the conference of Lords Mayor at the Mansion House, convened to discuss the situation in the distressed mining areas, expressed herself as deeply touched. “It is the earnest hope of the King and myself that the appeal for relief of the distressed mining districts may meet with the ready response which it deserves,” she said.

A RESTFUL DAY

ENCOURAGING REPORTS REASSURING SIGNS (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Reed. 1.45 p.m. LONDON, Thursday. To-day’s bulletins are regarded as the most encouraging for some days. Satisfaction is expressed at this morning’s announcement that the localisation of the infective process is being -

ABORIGINE KILLED IN FIGHT OVER LUBRA

Reed, noon PERTH, To-day. During a fight between natives over a lubra at Port George, one was killed, being struck on the head with a club. The other natives concerned in the fight decamped.

maintained. The result of the announcement this evening of the fact that his Majesty’s general condition, which earlier was reported to be slowly improving, remains the same, is regarded as important. Furthermore, the absence of any reference to anxiety regarding his heart, together with the fall in temperature, has all helped to promote a more optimistic air. This is emphasised by there being considerably smaller numbers outside the palace to-night. Four doctors arrived at the palace at seven o’clock, and remained in consultation for about an hour and a-half. Sir G. F. Buzzard and Sir Humphrey Rolleston left immediately after the bulletin had been issued, and Lord DawSon at nine o’clock, Sir Stanley Hewett again remaining all night. It is learned authoritatively that the King passed a restful da,y. An eminent medical authority has described the bulletins as very satisfactory. “My reason for saying so,” he adds, “ii that they indicate that the resistance of the patient is overcoming the spread of infection. This means that now it is only a matter of patience until this condition is slowly removed.” Another reassuring sign to-day is the official intimation that Princess Mary now hopes to carry out her Northampton engagements during the week-end. These consist of opening new nurses’ quarters and an inspection of the British Legion parade. One of the outstanding features of his Majesty’s illness is the continued interest he has displayed in current events. This is emphasised by two or three letters which he commanded to be sent to those whose anxiety for his welfare particularly touched him. At his own request bulletins are shown to him night and morning before being posted up at the palace gates, while the newspapers are invariably delivered to him.

DUKE AS MECHANIC

TROUBLE WITH AN ENGINE (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Reed. noon. CAPETOWN, Thurs. The Duke of Gloucester was travelling in the Premier’s saloon in North Bullawayo when the engine gave trouble. The Duke took off his coat, rolled up his sleeves, and, as tire driver says, “mucked in.” Despite the rain the Duke continued the work and showed ‘ a good knowledge of mechanics. At Bulawayo, the Duke shook hands with the driver and congratulated him on the excellent run. The Duke arrives at Capetown at 6.30 in the morning, and sails for England in the afternoon.