THE KING’S ILLNESS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1925, Page 2

THE KING’S ILLNESS

[Reuters Telegrams.] ILLNESS SERIOUS. LONDON, Feb. 23. Tho fact, that the medical bulletin on Wednesday was signed Drs Dawson. Stanley, llewett, Alilsom and Roes was tho first intimation that tho illness of the King was worse than a mere cold. He has been in bed since, hut bis progress lias been unexpectedly slow. It is now evident that His Alajesty had attempted to carry on public duties too long, and had been forced to knock off for a while, lie is always happy at sea, and he has told bis inliniatos that he regards the Cowes Week as a yearly holiday. He has a liking for the informal life aboard ship, and an opportunity to do some sailing. Queen Alary will not accompany the King on his yachting trip, as she is a poor sailor, especially in cold weather, but she will probably meet her husband at Las Brtiyeres. the Duke of Connaught’s villa at Cape Ferrat. If the trouble does not spread to the lungs, and cause bronchial pneumonia, there is no reason for alarm. MORE SERIOUS THAN BELIEVED. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, Eel). 23. In reference to the King's illness, ii is now recognised that file earlier bulletins were couched in the most moderate terms, but there is reason to believe that Ins attendants throughout had grounds to fear the development of pneumonia.

The possible postponement of the Prince of Wales’s tour to Africa is being actively discussed in official circles. Postponement will be imperative if the King's recuperative trip is extended beyond the 251 h. of March, because it is unconstitutional for both His .Majesty and the Prince to be absent simultaneously from Britain.

The anxiety of the physicians to get the King to a warmer climate without delay is indicated liv the disclosure that the yacht Victoria and Albert, which has not been commissioned since 1921, is being hastily manned under Rear-Admiral B tiller, and is lviTTg with steam up at Portsmouth. The newspaper “Sketch’ points out the King was subject to throat trouble in the winter time for the past three years. He had a bronchial cold in 1922 and two attacks necessitating cancellation of numerous engagements in 1923. Unlike his father, who was a regular visitor to the Eiveria, King George was rarely on the Cotinent, apart from the war period, spending most of his holidays in England and Scotland. LONDON. Feb. 23. The “Tillies” says it is unitedly hoped that no consideration, either public or business of any kind, will he allowed to interfere with the measures necessary for the King’s thorough recovery. The nation will insist that the .King’s first public duty is his own complete restoration to health.