People and Their Doings.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20296, 4 May 1934, Page 6

People and Their Doings .

Members of the English Dav.s Cup Team have been Travelling Together for Three Years : No Previous Recoid or a Royal Twenty-fifth Anniversary Jubilee.

rpHERE is no previous record of a Royal A Twenty-fifth Anniversary Jubilee such as is being planned for King George in May next year. Royal Jubilee celebrations in English history have been associated with Sovereigns who have reigned fifty years or more, though the long reign of Queen \ ictoria, which permitted both a Golden Jubilee for fifty years and a Diamond Jubilee for sixty years,of reign gave opportunitv for celebrations on an unprecedented scale for this form of loyal demonstration. Previous to Queen Victoria only three English Kings were eligible for a fifty-year jubilee—Henry 11., Edward 111. and George 111. In the troublous days of Henry H. there was little scope or desire, it seems, for anything of the sort. Edward 111. is reported to have made " grants for the easement of his commons and for their future welfare” in 1377, but the Jubilee of George 111. in 1809 was, it is recorded, celebrated with *‘ great heartiness.”

nnilE DIAMOND JUBILEE of Queen VieA toria, held in 1597, eclipsed the former unique celebration. On this occasion a large number of Colonial Premiers were specially invited to London to participate, and the personal escort of her Majesty included detachments from the Colonial forces. It was estimated that two million people witnessed the Royal procession to St Paul’s for the thanksgiving service and the column was so long that the cavalry composing it alone took half an hour to pass a given point. It is expected in official circles that during next year's celebrations there will be a special issue of jubilee honours during the festivities, and that each Prime Minister will be offered a high order of knighthood, probably the Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George.

r PI IE MEMBERS of the Davis Cup team A for England are practically the same as started out in 1931 to bring back the Davis Cup to England—F. J. Perry, H. W. Austin, G. P. Hughes and H. G. N. Lee. For three years they have travelled together all over the Continent and other lands, and it is said that not the slightest jealousy has there been throughout the journeys and tournaments. English writers predict that the team’s task will not be as heavy when they play at Wimbledon on July 28, 30 and 31, because the holding nation is always at a great advantage over the ch«al--lengers. France held the cup from 1927 till last year. Previous to that the United States had possession from 1920 till France beat her in 1927. . It has also been pointed out that it is open to controversy whether all nations should play through for the Davis Cup each year. The challenge round was abandoned in the championships at Wimbledon because merely calling upon the defender of the title to play one round against a tired opponent was deemed to be an unfair way of deciding who was the world’s best player. If the same principle was adopted in the Davis Cup tournament there might be more frequent changes of the champion nations—a good thing for the game.

TN ‘‘LIFE’S ENCHANTED CUP,” Mrs Peel, who was Director of Women’s Service in the Great War, says that in the course of her duties she visited many big munition factories. For their safety, skirts being dangerous, women were required to wear trousers. There were many women, particularly those who were middle-aged, who openly expressed their antagonism to trousers-wearing. One elderly woman flatly refused to discard her skirt in favour of

man’s nether garment. Her objections were so strong that she was allowed her wa>. and she continued to wear her skirt ana blouse. When the King visited the town, and there was a parade of munition workers, it was felt that it would not be right for one of the women to be conspicuous in a skirt whilst all the others were in trousers, and, for the day the woman was persuaded to discard her skirt in favour of trousers. “ Why,” exclaimed Mrs Peel s sister to the woman. 41 I see you have trousers on! “ Yes,” was the reply. 44 I’m a loyal woman. I am. I put ’em on to please the King, and to-morrow I’ll take ’em off to please myself! ” XOS SOS

GIXTY YEARS AGO (from the “Star” ° of May 4, 1874) News by the San Francisco Mail.—The Duke of Edinburgh and bride’s journey from St Petersburgh to London was one of triumph. There were demonstrations and rejoicings in Germany and Belgium. At Gravesend ladies dropped flowers in their path. The Earl of Pembroke has been appointed Under-Secretary for War. The appointment causes great surprise, owing to his youth and inexperience. Despatches from Ashantee show that Sir Garnet Wolselev was unable to get an interview with the King in order to negotiate a treaty of peace. He was compelled, therefore, to burn Coomassie, and make his return march as speedily as possible, as the rainy season was advancing. When returning, the King sent a messenger requesting the expedition to halt, that he might send in his submission. A strong party under Captain Glover was left, but no intelligence has vet been received from him. Sir Garnet Wolseley states that Ashantee policy is so treacherous that it is impossible to rely upon negotiations; but their defeat and the burning of Coomassie. it is thought, will give them a desired lesson.