A FIRESIDE FESTIVAL

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19459, 26 December 1934, Page 7

A FIRESIDE FESTIVAL

CHRISTMAS IN BRITAIN.

LIFELESS PLEASURE HAUNTS. HIS MAJESTY’S BROADCAST. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received Dec. 26, 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 25. ' England enjoyed a fireside Christmas, most of the pleasure haunts being deserted. It was thus as it sat at the fireside that England heard the King, as the father of the British family, wish them Christmas cheer from his own fireside at Sandringham. The King’s speech was couched in more homely terms than probably ever before used by a monarch. He struck a most responsive note, particularly In his simple appeal to India. The Empire exchange broadcast was excellently heard. Through London’s silence came the roil of drums from 8000 natives at Johannesburg, the olatter of horses’ hoofs as the stockman rounded up strays in Central Queensland, the chirping of birds and the laughter of children at the botanical gardens, Melbourne, a homely homily from a Tasmanian fisherman, and the Harbour Bridge and life-savers’ broadcast from Sydney. Canada’s broadcast was especially good. Amid snow 4000 feet above Vancouver the broadcaster gave a vivid impression of twinkling lights and “a steamer, I think it is the Aorangi, is just entering the harbour.’’ New Zealand's broadcast vyas also excellent, although the melody of the Maoris’ dinging was rather lost in transmission.

Long-distance telephone conversations with the major European capitals showed all quiet on Western and Eastern fronts.

ROYALTY WALKS TO CHURCH. DELIVERY OF THE MESSAGE. PROCEDURE AT SANDRINGHAM. Unlied press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright (Received Deo. 26, 12.45 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 25. Their Majesties the King and Queen,' 1 the Prince of Wales, ihe Duke and Duchess' of York, and the Duke and Duchess of Kent walked to church in the morning. Then they attended a family luncheon party and drank the King’s health, after which His Majesty left the family and walked into his study, where he waited until a red light signalled the time to begin his speech. The family listened in an adjacent room through a loud-speaker. It was noticeable that His Majesty did not need to hesitate or clear his throat. 'There was no sign of a cough.

SYDNEY OELEBRATES INDOORS. UNFAVOURABLE WEATHER. BEACHES ALMOST DESERTED. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received Dec. 26, 11.45 a.m.) SYDNEY, Dec. 26. Overcast skies, threatened storms, and intermittent showers prevented Sydney from making Christmas Day, 1934, an out of doors holiday. The beaches were almost deserted, the majority of the people spending the day at home.