QUEEN ALEXANDRA.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1925, Page 3

QUEEN ALEXANDRA.

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] TRIBUTES BY CHURCHMEN. LONDON', Nov. 22. Touching references to the late Queen Alexandra were made in all tlie churches to-day. Doctor Grant, at Sandringham, said that the nation bowed its bead in loyal homage, remembering with gratitude bero never-dying love, before such a woman, such a Queen, as Alexandra. The Bishop of 'Woolwich (Doctor Hough), speaking in the Abl>cy, said that the ever deepening affection of the people for Royalty was largely due to the charming woman who came to England and immediately captured the nation’s heart. The stability of the British Throne, be said, was stronger because of Queen Alexandra, who bad increased its strength, not by physical, or by despotic power, but. by love. The Dean of Windsor (Very Dev. A. "S'. Baillie), at St. George’s Chapel, declared that the late Queen might not have been a woman who initiated great ideas or movements, but she had won the love of England from the beginning. and had held it to the end. as few bad ever held the love of any nation. THE INTERMENT. LONDON, Nov. 22. Every grade of servant at the Sandringham estate solemnly passed the bier of Queen Alexandra, pausing to touch. Queen Alexandra’s band. They saw her as she was known twenty years ago—the marks of time obliterated, '.uni replaced by sweet serenity. Around her were flowers from her own garden. Upon her breast there as a silver cross. Her jewelled hands were folded in an attitude of rest.

Though Queen Alexandra will he interred dose to King Edward on Saturday, when the work of the restoration of the Chapel is completed, the bodies will bo removed to their filial resting place. This will he a specially-con-structed sarcophagus adjoining the altar where Alexandra and Edward knelt at. their wedding. In the sarcophagus, they will he placed side by side, the coffins practically touching. Only (Royal and intimate friends will be present at the actual committal. The public will be excluded. After the service, flu* body will be lowered through the floor, and then carried to the royal tomb bouse.

Already the shops and the hotels on the short route from the Station to tho Castle have been inundated with requests for accomodation. Forty pounds was asked ior single rooms in one hotel with, a window overlooking the route. Thus far all have !>cen lxjokod up. LONDON*. Nov. 20. Though the Court Order for mourning does not apply to the public there are many signs in London of its adoption. It is expected that the men and women who are prominent in society will wear mourning till tit least 20tTl. January, but the King lias expressed a desire that no shadow of gloom should bo east over the Xmas season. His Majesty hopes the ordinary amenities of life will not be interrupted.

NEW ZEALAND’S MESSAGE. WELLINGTON, Nov. 21. The Governor General lias sent the following message to the King: On behalf of the Government and the people of New Zealand, 1 respeetfnlly express to your Majesty the most profound grief which Is felt by all in the death of her Majesty, the Queen .Mother, and the deep and loyal sympathy which is tendered to your Majesty and her Majesty the Queen. New Zealand .joins with the whole Flmpire in mourning for one so greatly beloved, and in expresing heart-felt lovalt.' and devotion to your Majesties.

GRKYMOUTH. N<iv. 21. The following telegram was this morning forwilrdecl by the Mayor (Mr W. FI. Parflit) to the Governor-General (Sir Charles Fergusson) : “Kindly eonvev to His Majesty the Tvi iifi- from the citizens of Grevmooth. onr profound in the loss of the Queen Mother." MEMOKIA L SERVICE. WELLINGTON. Nov. 24. The Governor-General lias heen advised that the official funeral service for her late Majesty Queen Alexandra, will he held at 11.30 n.m. on Friday .next at Westminster Abliey. His Excelleny therefore suggests tlwit. any memorial services which it is proposed to hold in New Zealand should he held at il o’clock on Friday morning next as the nearest appropriate time for coinciding with the Westminster Abbey service. The Governor-General has been in'l formed that llis Majesty the King has directed that the living of Hags at half mast on Government buildings in Great Britain should he continued until next Saturday. It would accordingly he appropriate if a similar procedure were observed in New Zealand, as regards public buildings. His Majesty has commanded that the Court should wear mourning, to be from January 20th to February 20th. Special instructions are being issued to the Defence Forces for the observance of mourning.