AN EMPTY COFFIN

Taranaki Daily News, 18 August 1926, Page 9

AN EMPTY COFFIN

STUPID IMPOSTURE. INTENSE RESENTMENT. THE KITCHENER AFFAIR. hl Ttlegraph—Press Assn—Copyright. London, Aug. 10. A crowd gathered outside the Lambeth Coroner's Court, where the coffin allegedly containing the body of Lord Kitchener was lying. The coroner was attended by Sir Bernard Spilsbury, the noted pathologist, and Scotland Yard officials and detectives. The examination lasted three-quar-ters of an hour, and subsequently the Home Office announced that when the packing-case was opened it was found to contain an empty coffin, apparently new. It had obviously never contained human remains. -AN UGLY HOAX.” Received Aug. 17, 7.20 p.m. London, Aug. 16. Interest in the Lord Kitchener incident has turned to resentment against the perpetrators of the hoax. The Daily Express editorially says: It is" difficult to decide what steps can be taken against Power, who perpetrated a stnpid imposture in connection with an* honoured name. The brazen author of the ugly hoax might have derived considerable profit by exploiting the film rights and other financial possibilities of his masquerade. I*he exposure of the fraud will Serve finally to settle all doubts. A FILM SCANDAL. The Daily Herald, in an editorial, declares: "The whole business appears to have had a commercial basis. The filming of the funeral procession in Norway supplies a clue to the hitherto unexplainable stir made about Lord Kitchener’s last voyage. Now we know all about it. What a lot the films are responsible for!” AMAZING REVELATIONS. A FILM ENTERPRISE. Received Aug. 17, 7.45 p.m. London, Aug. 17. The Daily News’ special representative at Stavanger telegraphs as follows: “There is an amazing revelation of Power’s activities in Norway with a representative of a filming company. “Without mentioning Lord Kitchener he explained that he was preparing a melodrama in which a tourist was supposed to die and be transferred to England for burial. “Power and a cinematographer proceeded to the cemetery and photographed the coffin containing a Stavanger magnate resting in the chapel preparatory to interment. “The big episode was staged at noon on July 31, when Power hired an empty coffin, a hearse and a number of hotel servants as mourners, the hotel proprietor providing a Union Jack with which to drape the coffin. “After Power had persuaded the crowds to present a thoroughly doleful attitude to give the ceremony an air of versimilitude, the cortege moved solemnly to the quay, where the captain of a Norwegian vessel allowed the coffin to be brought aboard, although he declined to half-mast the flag. “As soon as the scene had been photographed Power remunerated the supers and returned the coffin to the undertaker. “The Norwegian Government was contemplating an official protest against body-snatching when it was, to its relief, informed that it was a hoax. A MISERABLE BUSINESS. The Daily Mail states that Viscount Broome, Lord Kitchener’s nephew, interviewed, said it had been painful for the family, but it was their duty to stand aside until the authorities had determined the truth or otherwise of the story. He now hoped the whole miserable business would be dismissed from the public mind. If any attempt were made to show the film they would aim at its prevention. FILM COMPANY’S EXPLANATION. 'r. Foster, the manager of the filming company, explains the company’s share in Power's adventure. He says that Power stipulated that nothing offending public taste should be attempted, hence there was no filming of the actual remains. They filmed the grave, the churchyard cemetery, and 1800 feet of typical Norwegian scenery. Power could not possibly make much money, because the whole film was only equivalent to an episode in a topical film, and his share was 5 per cent, of the proceeds. Foster adds that mysteries had always fascinated Power. He last saw Power on Saturday evening. He understood that Power had left London, taking his wife in order to spare her the worry of police investigations. It is not known where they have gone.