KING’S HEALTH

Hokitika Guardian, 3 December 1928, Page 5

KING’S HEALTH

CON r>ITI ON UN on AN( OKI)

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright).

LONDON, Nov. 30. To-night’s bulletin is the shortest and the least, informative one since the King’s illness. The inference from it- is that the doctors said all that was possible in

the morning. Lord Pollcston was not present in the evening, hie did not join the ot hers in the morning until they had been with the King about halt an lionr. The bulletin, though timed at 12.20 was not issued until 1 u iuock. The general opinion is that the King is in a particular stage of his illness where a setback cannot completely be ignored. With every authoritative menical view, the point is stressed that it is idle to deny that it is serious, but they are equally emphatic regarding distinctively favourable features. There has not been one mention that the King’s strength, was not being maintained, his illness has not reached a stage when it is possible to say that he is on the road to recovery without the danger of a change for the worst. The whole nation is necessarily relying on tho scanty bulletins from medical men, aided, here and there, by guarded authoritative comments from Palace officials. The public perhaps is a little uneasy about the constant addition of bulletins that His Majesty’s condition is unchanged, hut this is largely duo to the fact that they aro so keyed up with loyal anxiety that an indication of even a slight turn towards recovery would he a moment for

universal rejoicing. Even in his serious illness tlie King lias strikingly revealed tlie kindness which endeared him to hutuhle folk when “Old Kate” called at the Palace. There were photographs in the newspapers which the King saw, and he commended that a letter to written thanking her- for her kindly, interest. The letter was handed over hy .Major Katherson Haugli, Manager of the Royal Stables at Kempton Park Pacecourse to-day. as lie was unable to ascertain the address. "When asked about the letter “Old Kate” said: “That’s my business, I am not. going to show it to anybody. You want to know overmuch. The King always shakes hands with mo on the racecourse.” According to messages received in London, the Rhodesian Railways arc despatching a special saloon to Kapiri, Tnvposhi, near Brokonhill, to await the Puke of Gloucester’s arrival by motor. Otherwise he will motor from Abercorn and on arrival at Bulawayo will transfer to a special saloon attached to any train, whither he desires. A leading physician commenting on the bulletin, said: It is not infonnaVtivo, hut it would appear that the situation ia much the same as yesterday. Tho bulletin makes it clear that there is still a possible danger if there is to a crisis to-day or to-munow. The Private's first public letter,

signed Cosmo Cantnar, was sent to the Bishop of London regarding prayers for the King. It says: “You have probably received communications in regard to prayers for the King in his illness. AVc are thankful to know that the course of the illness is progressing favourably, but until all causes lor anxiety are removed, prayers will lie offered in tho churches throughout the land for His Majesty’s speedy and complete recovery.” Prayers were offered to-day jii a London masque. Tlie Queen left the Palace twice today. and was absent two or three hours on private visits.

NEW ZEALAND’S SYMPATHY.

WELLINGTON, Dec. 1. The Governor-General has received the following telegram from the Secretary of State for Dominion affairs in reply to the message forwarded for submission to the King. “I am commanded to request you to convey to the Government and people of New Zealand an expression of Their Majesties’ grateful appreciation of the kind message ol sympathy contained in your telegram of Nov. 24t1i.” THE PRINCE’S JOURNEY. LONDON, Dec. 1. " (ie prince of Wales, hy leaving the Enterprise at Suez, ami entraining for Alexandria, will save delay in the Suez Canal and also at least twenty hours for refuelling the Enterprise. He will he speeding across the Mediterranean the same day she arrives at Suez. The port of disembarkation in Europe cannot be settled until the train arrangemnts are made also and the degree of urgency which may exist next week is known. Thus the Enterprise should leave Dares-Salaam at noon on Saturday, and should cover the 2850 miles to Suez by the morning of Dec. 7th. He should reach Brindisi aboard the Frobisher from Alexandria on tlie evening of December 9th. and special r j ri iin arrangements should allow him to french Paris on the morning of Dccemi/or 11th., thence to London in two hours by air. Should the Enterprise and Frobisher lie pressed to the absolute maximum, special trains will leave immediately. The Prince cannot ho in Ijoihlou earlier than the morning of Dec. 10th.

* v BATHER a DISTURBED DAY. LONDON. Doc. 1. Sir G. TTcwett and Lord Dawson arrived at the Palace at 7.5 this evening, and issued a bulletin at 8.30. The King had rather a disturbed day. with short intervals of sleep. He js therefore somewhat fatigued.

PRINCE OF WALES’S RETURN ! MALTA, Dec. 1. The cruiser Frobisher leaves for Alexandria on Sunday, 2nd. in.st. to pick up the Prince of Wales from the Enterprise. UNFAVOURABLE REPORT. (Received this day at 11 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 2. A bulletin issued at 8.20 p.m. states ilis Majesty had a quieter sleep during me day and the infective process continued to diminish. The temperature to-night was lOOdog. At the same time there is a decline in the strength of the heart.

EVENING BULLETIN

CAUSES SOME CONCERN

LONDON, November 2

Tho evening bulletin, with mention of fatigue following the morning’s reference to temperature has given rise to some concern. The doctors are hoping (tie King will have a good night’s rest, about which no news is likely until the next bulletin.

The “Sunday Express” announces it will publish the Sunday bulletin in special editions. Again there will he special prayers in all the churches. The Duke and Duchess of York intended .spending the week-end at Rutland’s Bolvoir Castle, hut the visit is postponed. PRINCE OF WALES. The Prince of Wales is expected t > embark on the Enterprise this morning. It is anticipated lie will he carried to Suez where he will entrain for Alexandria where lie will he picked up by the Frobisher which will take him to Brindisi, Naples, or .Marseille’s, according to the IVime’s wishes. DIMNOE SAILS. DARESALA A A.M, Dee. 2. A message states the I’rinco ol Wales embarked at ten this morning and sailed at 10.30. Governor Donald Cameron farewelletl him.

INCREASED ANXIETY

LONDON, December 2

Increasing anxiety hy the public was shown outside Buckingham Palace late at night and early this morning, when men and women in evening dress on their way home drove up to learn the latest news, motors extending lor a considerable distance. Palace officials regret the absence of any reassuring statement in the latest bulletin. There apparently has been a slight sotbaeit, the possibility of which was indicated in the doctor’s comprehensive review last week. Although his Majesty did not have much sleep on Friday night, lie read the morning papers with his usual keen interest next day. He makes frequent inquiries as to the progress of the test The Enterprise arrived at Darcssahio n at midnight, the Prince of Wales go >'g aboard ANXIOUS FEELING. LONDON, December 2. Tbo King is facing tlie critical days of his illness. Public alarm is caused by the more serious tone of tlie morning bulletin—“ Strength is being taxed and a decline of strength of the heart,” and hy the not reassuring ones on Saturday. Anxiety has manifested ilsell to an extraordinary degree in the neighbourhood of the palace. Thousands crowded the gates and motor-cars lined the Mall. There were so ninny rushes to see the bulletin that the police had to regulate the movements of the crowd. The contents were anxiously debated by solemn crowds, seemingly unwilling to leave the palace grounds. Tho King’s physicians passed through the gates almost unnoticed, similarly other prominent people who came t> inquire. The crowd, as the day wore on, assumed such dimensions that the guards had difficulty in taking up their stations. LONDON. Dec. 2. A bulletin issued at 11.10 a.m. states tlm King had rather a. restless night. This morning his temperature vos lower and the process shows some improvement. The general strength, though at present- adequate is at this stage of the illness ('being taxed. Tt was nearly two and a half hourafter the arrival of the doctors. belore. the bulletin was issued. It did not succeed altogether in allaying hist night’s anxiety at tho Palace. hut the fall of temperature and an improvement ill the in feel ive process is regarded a.s favourable signs. I lie fact that Ilis Majesty's strength is being taxed is not so reassuring, no'crthclcss it is considered satisfactory thnt the doctors are able to state his' strength is adequate. Ebb and flow „f the disease is still going on. I hoy are awaitng the turn of the tide when it is hoped a general improvement m the King’s condition may set in. A record crowd awaited the bulletin ~t. the Palace gates. Ill's Dawson and T-lewett spent forty-five minutes with the King in the afternoon. DUKE OF YORK. LONDON. Dee. 2. The “Humbly Express” publishes a story of how the Duke of York ovoieame a slight impediment in his speech by learning to speak again from the beginning, under tbo tutorship of a young Australian. Lionel Logue. I be “Express” says tlie Duke of York, at first feared tlie ordeal of bis Australian tour, but agreed to make a fresh effort, which was successful, and his spoofhmaking wonderfully improved. DUKE OF GLOUCESTER. LONDON, Dec. 2. The Duke of Gloucester left Sakania hy special coach, which arrives at Victoria Falls at eight a.m. on Tuesday. Tlie cruiser Frobisher left Malta

for Alexandria, where she will await the Prince of Wales and subsequently takes the route already cabled. RUGBY, Dec. 1.

It is learned communication lias been established with the Duke ol Gloucester who intimated he will return home with due speed. The Duke was expected to reach Sakania. Belgian Congo, last night and arrangements were made for him to travel south hy train, the South African Government making all necessary arrangements to enable the Duke lo rush to the coast. Tentative arrangements have been made to take him lev special train from Rhodesia to Capetown to enable him to catch the mail steamer, Balmoral Castle, which leves there for England on December 7th.

I’IIAYERS FOR KING. LONDON. Dec. 2. Special prayers wen 1 ofi’ered in all churches to-ilav.

The Queen, Duke and Duchess ol York, and Princess May atlended service in the private chapel.

A GRAVE POSITION

UNFOUNDED RUMOUR DENIED. (Received this day at 11.25. a.m.) LONDON, December 2. A serious view is taken of Lo-iiight’s bulletin and considerable anxiety is stated to exist. The doctors were still at the palace at nine o’clock. Another bulletin is expected before midnight. The Queen and the Princess left the pala.ee for a drive at three o’clock. Men dolled hats and women bowed in silence. There was no other demonstration. The Queen and the Princess bowed as the car passed through the crowds lining the drive. Roth wore obviously anxious. .Shortly afterwards. Dr Dawson was observed to return t'> the palace, whh h was an unusual visit and enter hy uncustomary gates. l)r Hewitt followed a few minutes later. Roth were present for an hour. Indeed so great was the tension to-day that grave rumours circulated the city and far over the London area. Everybody was so keyed up with anxiety that it was considered advisable early in the afternoon to issue from the palace, an offici i| statement as follows: “ Everything is in order. Reports that Ilis Majestv had passed away, are absolutely unfounded.”