THE KING’S JUBILEE

Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1935, Page 5

THE KING’S JUBILEE

BRITISH PREPARATIONS 2000 LOCAL BODIES ACT "MANY LONDON VISITORS PRINCE OF WALES’ APPEAL T British Wireless. Rugby, April 23. More than 2900 local authorities in Britain are completing their preparations for next month’s King’s jubilee celebrations. In most cases local counties have voted funds for decorations and illuminations. Bonfires and processions and treats for young and old, in addition to the thanksgiving services, are to be features common to most celebrations. It is certain, however, that the major spectacles, including the Royal procession and the processional drives, will bring numbers of sightseers to London and most elaborate arrangements have been made for the orderly handling of crowds all along the routes of the main progression. Platforms have been erected and on every available site are pylons draped in blue and gold and surmounted by royal emblems. Elsewhere schemes for the decoration of streets and buildings are being rapidly advanced. Among the distinguished to London for the occasion the Dominion Prime Ministers will take a prominent place. Some of the many Indian rulers who will take part in the London celebrations have already arrived and others are on their way to England. A record response has been received to the Prince of Wales’ recent broadcast appeal on behalf of the Jubilee Trust, which is to be administered in the interests of the youth of Britain. The appeal was addressed to all classes of the community and small subscribers were invited to send donations in unstamped envelopes. Over £32,000 has already been received in such a way. A further 10,000 letters have yet to be opened and more are arriving by every post.

The King has approved of the design of the jubilee stamps. The %d, Id, l%d, and 2%d will be available two months from May 7. They were designed by Mr. Barnett Freeman and are twice the size of ordinary stamps. The colours are unchanged and the photogravure pro- ! cess strongly contrasts the light and shade. The head of the King is Sis. Bertram Mackennal’s design. The symbols include laurel and oak leaves, acorns, olive branches and the Royal Crown. Jubilee day will be the anniversary of the introduction of the first adhesive stamp in 1840, of which only 41,600 could be printed daily, compared with 15,000,000 nowadays. Speci- . ally designed postal orders are also being printed.