"NEVER BEEN SUCH A DAY"

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20107, 14 May 1935, Page 9

"NEVER BEEN SUCH A DAY"

POPULAR VERDICT IN THE EAST END United Frees Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received May 13, 9.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 13. The unexpectedness of the visit of their Majesties made it impossible for the police entirely to control the East Enders’ enthusiasm. Thus, as the big car was slowly moving in the West India Dock district, two boys and two girls attempted to clamber on to the running board. The mother rushed up and pulled the youngsters off. The Queen gave the mother an approving smile, while Princess Elizabeth climbed on to the seat to look out the back window to see if the over-enthusiastic children were hurt as they tumbled off the running board. Elsewhere, a cyclist who had been gathering wild bluebells in Epping Forest, attempted to throw them into their Majesties’ car. The Queen laughingly pointed out the incident to the King and Princess Elizabeth, who, bareheaded and dressed in blue, was obviously delighted with the experience. For a time she sat on the King's knee in order better to see the crowd through the window. Popular Response Describing their Majesties’ visit to the East End, “The Daily Mail” says that the residents painted the kerbstones of entire streets with the colours red, white and blue, and inscribed them with loyal greetings. The decorations on the small house of Emily Bee, a widow and pensioner, so attracted the King that he stopped the car to admire them. "It is the greatest surprise of my life,” said the widow afterwards. “The King lifted his hat to me. I still can’t believe that it was not a dream.”

The Chinese residents, within an hour of their Majesties’ departure, telegraphed thanks for the visit.

The King’s reply, addressed to “The People of Limehouse,” was pasted on the window of the shop of a confectioner, who was deputed to send the first telegram, the postal officials having established his identity. The famous Fettieoat Lane, now Middlesex Street, was the scene of a joyous uproar, costermongers giving a vociferous display of loyalty. Joe Brown, a general dealer, voiced the unanimous opinion when he declared: “There’s never been such a day. The King looked real well, didn’t he?”

LAST DAY OF MEMORABLE WEEK WEEKS END CELEBRATIONS DESCRIBED British Official Wireless (Received May 13, 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, May 11. The last day of a memorable week, but by no means the end of the festivities connected with the Royal Jubilee, was marked by notable celebrations in London, Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff. There were, in all these cities, much effective pageantry and exuberant demonstrations of loyalty and affection to the King and the Royal Family. London last night was again the scenp of demonstrative jubilation and the King and Queen once more appeared on the balcony of the floodlit palace to respond to the cheers of a vast crowd, who remained there for hours. As their Majesties left the balcony, the crowd sang the National Anthem. This morning London was invaded by armies of happy and excited children. They came in contingents of many thousands from all outlying districts of the metropolitan area. They marched to stands on Constitution Hill and the Mall, which, at the King’s wish, had been reserved for them that they might see their Majesties In the best possible circumstances. During the period of waiting, the children were entertained by the bands of the Brigade of Guards and by British Broadcasting Corporation programmes broadcast through loud speakers, interspersed with bursts of community singing. The road from Hyde Park comer to the Marble Arch was lined by 15,000 lads from different youth organisations. Although the official floodlighting display will end after next week, when the lights on Government, buildings will be removed, many commercial and private buildings In London and the provinces will continue floodlighting indefinitely.

Their Majesties drove in a procession of open carriages with an escort of Life Guards and followed the route to Edgware Road and Marylebone Road. They returned through Baker Street, Oxford Street, Regent Street and along the Mall. The streets were packed with cheering and waving people. As their Majesties approached the stands of London school children—there were more than 70,000 with the best seats allotted them by the kindly forethought of the King—the shrill cheering of wildly excited children provided one of the most moving episodes in a week of loyal and effectionate ovations and their Majesties obviously were pleased and touched by their welcome.