"GLORY THAT WAS LONDON"

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 127, 15 June 1937, Page 12

"GLORY THAT WAS LONDON"

1\& Excitement of the Coronation LIGHT-HEARTED CROWDS "The glory that was London, " during Goronation week is described by Miss Rhoda Holt, formerly of Hastings, in a letter reeeived froin her by a:r-mail by a Hastings resident. Miss Holt was one of the New Zealanders mt London during tho Coroiiation, and her letter gives many amtising sidelights not mentioned in othet aceounts of the ceremony. ' ' One can hardly believe that the Coronation is all over," Baid Miss ILolt, writing two days after the event. "Everyone has beeii looking foi'ward to it for so long that it does not seein possible that it eould all be ovef in the one day. ' ' The ci'owds had been enormous, but the amazing thing abaut the English people was that the did not seem to. mind crowds and delays. It took hours to get to one's destination, but all were quite happy about it. "London was completeiy ttanafoimed during last week," continues Miss Holt. "It rained heavily on Goi'dnation Day but cleared about 4 pim., when a heavy fog descended. It was fine and stinny again twO hours later. CrowdS began to assemble along the route quite early the night before — in fact, London did not Seem to go to bed at all. All night long we eould hear the crowds going along the streets, all in the same direction, and at two o'clock in the momdng there appeared to be as many lights in the houses as there normally are at 10 p.m. So great was the excitement that I do not think many eould have had a good night 's rest. Erom midnight onwards We Could hear the light-hearted crowds singing in the streets. "We rose shortly after 4 p.nh and set out about a-quarter past five. It usually takes half an hour to cross the park to Bucldngham Palaee, but that day it took an hour. The morning was gi'ey and foggy, but it was not cold. Evetyone was armed with a raincoat and an umbrella, and most people had boxes of food. ' Police Have a Quiet Day. "The police are so good-natUred and a bundle of knowledge, although wheli ltoyalty is about or when something has gOne wi'ong they feign a look of sweet fnnocence. The crowds had great fun with them. The polieo had everything remarkably arranged, but, on the whole, they had a quiet uay. "At Hyde Park Corner we watched while several battalions of soidiers, police force and bands passed on their way to iine the route. Hyde Pa,rk gates looked attractive with boxes of pink hydrangeas massed on top of them. We crossed Constitutiontti Hill and took up Oiur positions iiext to thc entrance to Buckingham Palaee. We had ideal seats, and cushions were provided by the atithorities. "It was then about 6.15 a.in., and people were flocking to tho allotted stands. The route was lined with eluborate poles flaunting banners in red> white, blue and gold with huge gold cords and tassels. Round the Palaee section the route was lined with guai'ds in scaiiet coate and bearskins, aiid along Constitution Hill were the Roynl Air. Force men in their greyiifeh-bluo uniforms. "We were kept entertained until about 8 a.m. by the continuous marching into plaee of these gi'oupB. Several cars passed with Abbey guests, aftiong whom were the Princess Royal and her two sons. Six eoaches, centurles old. and owned by peerS, passed aiolig witli coachmen and footmen in resplendeut livery and wigs. "When the proCession etai'ted, the weather was still dtill and foggy, bitt it had improved consxderably. In the flrst carriage was the Rt» Hons Stanle.v Baldwin, escorted by Metfopolitan Mounted Police. He was greeted with oheers and clapping. He seemed a very popular man. The Dominion Prime Miiilisters followed with escorts from their own monnted regiments. I " As their Majesti^s1 preeeis'sleti came , along the weather cleared^ aiid ae the ; Toyal carriage enjtferged f roni the palaee ! 1 the sun shode. "We hoafd clearly the strains of the Abbe!v drgftn and the choii', followezl by the service, through loudspeakers iitted in the trees abo ve

txs. Immediately after the crownixig there was a peal of bells and a thunterous salute fired from the gttns at fche ToWer of London and in St. James's Park and, with the crowd cheering as ^ell, the noise was deafening* Crowds Cheer Street-Sweepers. "The guards along the route were changed frequently. Duxung the luxxcii ixour bags of apples, buns and chocolates wefe distribiited from a large arxxly trtiCk. Marquees behind tue stands provided tea, coffee and milk and fruit drinks. ' 1 Crowds cheered the police force as they wero relieved at interVals, inlich to their amusciiient. The people were ready to cheer anyone who passed along the route and, when sonie streelsweepers arrived to ti.dy up after the horses had gone past, they too were loudly acelaimed and, to the crowd 'e delight, they acknowledged the cheers. "The proeession left the Abbey ai 2.45 and, I believe, the sun shone all along the rOute. We conld hear tiio dull roar of distant cheering gradually getting louder, and from this we were able to judge just about where the proeession Was. At the top of Constitu- ' fcion Hill it ran into rain, but nobody minded. "The Prime Ministers were cheered loudly, and it was possiible to tell from the cheering where the guests from the diffefent Dominions were. We did not see Mr. Savage at all. He kept well back in a dark corner of the carriage, regardless of the New Zealanders' cheers. "Aboiit half-way down Obnstitutidn Hill the trumjietets burst forth and the band oh horseback strxick .up. What a sight, regardless Of the raiin The golden CoaCh of theif MajestieS looked beaxitiful. As soon as dt was all over everyone was looking wet and all dashed f..r home. It took a lOng time to I work one ;s way along with the erowfis. ' '