Australia’s Sorrow.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 19, 24 January 1901, Page 2

Australia’s Sorrow.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, last night. The Earl o£ Hopetoun has received a message from the Hon. J. Chamberlain that the Queen passed away at 0.30 last evening. It is unlikely that the local proclamation will be issued to-day, owing to a doubt as to the precise formula to be adopted. Many buildings are draped in black, and the postoffice chimes were muffled. The news of the death of William IV. took four months to reach Australia, while that of the Queen was known in as many houra. Queen’s square, which a week or two back was so gaily decorated for the Federal ceremony, is to-day festooned in black, and the Queen's statue, in the centre of the square, is also draped in mourning. Received Jan. 23, 11.47 p.m.

Immediately on receipt of the news of the death of the Queen the whole of the Commonwealth State business stopped. The Hon. E. Barton, Federal Premier, cancelled the engagements which he had made to visit Melbourne and Adelaide. In Adelaide and Melbourne many shops were closed. The bells kept tolling, and a feeling of general sorrow pervades the various communities.

The Federal Executive met at noon. Lord Hopetoun communicated the sad news to the Executive, and the meeting adjourned till to-morrow.

The Mayor wired to Mr Chamberlain: — "The people mourn the loss of our beloved Queen.” The bells of the various churches were tolling throughout the day. One curious sight was that the flags at Admiralty House and on the Royal Arthur were not half-masted. This is because the Admiral’s flag is a personal one, never lowered except on the death of the Admiral. At four o’clock the Royal Arthur and Tauranga fired cighty-two minute guns. Adelaide, Jan. 23. The Government offices are closed, and the flags at half-mast. Bells are tolling: many shops are closed, and shutters are draped with black. Lord Tennyson haß cancelled all engagements. Melbourne, Jan. 23. Sympathetic references to the late Queen were made at the Stock Exchange, which suspended business. Many business houses are closed. The Town Hall has been draped with black. *The closing of shops and other signs of mourning are very noticeable among the German section of the community.