A DREAR DAY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 813, 10 May 1910, Page 8

A DREAR DAY.

THE CITY IN MOURNINC. PURPLE AND BLACK. The gloom' cast over tho community by the news of the death of the King rested heavily on tho city yesterday. Throughout the whole of the day rain fell steadily, persistently, as if tho very heavens wore in accord with the depression which hangs over the British peoples in all parts 'of tho world. There was a rush for the special editipn of The Dominion yesterday morning, and. us special arrangements had been made to distribute the paper in. tho Wairarapa and Manawatu districts hours before the first through trains from Wellington, the fullest particulars of His Majesty's death and what followed were in the possession of our readers far and wide at a very early hour. City folk found it difficult to settle down to the daily ' routine yesterday. There was but one topic in and out of office. The Cabinet met early yesterday morning, and decided that the public offices should be closed that afternoon and to-day. On all hands were signs of deep mourning. The premises of tho leading drapers are swathed in.- black and purple in various designs. Some have the verandah poles and main entrances draped, and others aro paying particular attention to bisecting the showwindows with purple -and black streamers, whilst tho dress departments have been despoiled of the gay pinks and greens in favour of the more sober, and impressive purple and black. Many shops are displaying draped" portraits of the late King, while others show pictures of the new King and Queen. The half-masted flags, sodden with rain, clnng disconsolately , to . their poles throughout the day, whilst, down below in the-muddy streets the cheerless drizzle seemed to emphasise the wretchedness of the outlook.