KING’S HEALTH

Hokitika Guardian, 28 December 1928, Page 5

KING’S HEALTH

A BULLETIN. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). / LONDON, December 26. After 'consultation' with his colleagues. Lord Dawson indicated in a statement to journalists that the King bad slightly improved. Lord Dawson % said: “There is a slight improvement in both local and general condition, it being part of the slow forward movement.” Drs. Hewctt and Rigby participated in consultation. A moderate crowd gathered before the Palace despite the heavy rain. There was little doubt expressed, however, that the King’s condition is still serious. 'Hie anxiety of the Pa,lace staff could readily be seen beneath the attempt to bo happy over the holidays. The King lias l>ccn alternating between states of consciousnes and coma, and the servants recently saw the Duke of York in tears outside the sick room after his father was unable to recognise him. SLIGHT DIPROVEM E-NT LONDON, Dee. 26. It is authoritatively learnt that there is a further slight improvement in the King’s Condition, both local and gen- • era!. It is emphasised that the improvement though clearly discernible, is very slight, and the progress of mendThg is going'to be a long one. Dawson, Rigby and Howett consulted an hour and a half before noon.

THE QUEEN’S REPLY. LONDON', Dee. 26. The Queen, replying to Mr Mackenzie King’s message of sympathy on liehalf of Canada said the message and greeting would he highly appreciated and valued by His Majesty when his progress towards recovery is sufficiently advanced for him to receive it personally. The expressions of the love and devotion of the Canadian people, and knowledge of their prayers, sympatheic solitude in the past anxious weeks and their message with its note of joy and thankfulness to Cod for the King’s hopeful condition touch me profoundly, on this Xmas morning. My children and T thank you from our hearts. I look forward to the day when the Tving will he cheered and strengthened by this testimony that the heart of Canada is with.him in weal and woe.” A BULLETIN. LONDON, Dec. 26. A bulletin states His Majesty had a (juiet day and slow progress in general k a.nu local conditions was maintained. F The next bulletin will not be issued until to-morrow ovening. ■POSITION REASSURING. LONDON, Dec. 26. i- The present position is still regarded as favourable and reassuring. The fact that the doctors consider one -bulletin sufficient till to-morrow, is accented as a good sign. Tt means that little change in his condition is anticipated, beyond the slow progress which llis Majesty maintains. As long as the doctors are able to report a slight improver merit it can be accepted that the illness is taking the course for which .they are hoping. Lord Dawson and Dr Rigby were at the Palace about an hour to-night. Sir T. S. Hewctt-dined out hut is again staying the night. “HOW’S GRANDPA?” LONDON, Dec. 26. Each member of the family went for a few minutes to the King’s bedroom on Xmas morning. The doctors permitted only a brief interview, just sufficient to allow the Queen, Prince ot Wales, and others to conic to the ■bedside, and give Xmas wishes, and to show the presents obtained for him. The Royal dinner party included a toast of the King. As the Queen was unable to see Princess Elizabeth on Xmas Day there pas an intimate little tea party at the Palace for Betty’s solo ! benefit. She brought a doll which the | Queen agve her for a Xmas present, 1 which was duly, installed in a chair be- . tween the Queen and the Princess. As | ,' soon as she had recounted her list of j presents, the Princess? first inquiry was ; “how’s, grandpa, is his cold better?” THE QUEEN’S MESSAGE. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 27. Tlie Queen addressed a message to the Canadian Government following the receipt of a cablegram, expressing the Canadian hope for the King’s recovery Stic stated the King was not yet able to receive the message personally, but she and the children “thank you from our hearts.” The Queen’s message emphasised the profound exhaustion of the King, but its references to “the past anxious weeks” and “looking forward to the day when the King will ho cheered” reveal hopes that the stoical wife no longer fears to put into words. It. is evident from to-night’s medical attendance at the palace that the electric ray treatments have been discontinued for a time at least. Drs Penn and Rigby called for an hour, and Dr Hewctt dined outside and returned to spend the night. ■ : . A QUIET NIGHT (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, Doc. 27. 10.30 a.m.—The King had a quiet night. There is little change.

EVENING BULLETIN. CONDITION NOT SO SATISFACTORY (Received this day at 11.25. a.m.) LONDON, December 27. A bulletin issued at 8.20 p.m. stated “ During to-day the King’s condition has not been so satisfactory. There has been a disinclination to take nourishment and his strength is being less well maintained. The pulse remains steady.”

THE KING’S CONDITION. . NOT SO SATISFACTORY. (Received this day at 1.30 pm.) LONDON, December 27. The optimism of the past low days received a distinct chock by to-night's unsatisfactory announcement from the Palace. The bulletin bad a <lisqiiieteniiig effect at the Palace, where there is a less confident feeling. It is known some disappointment was caused by the slight character of progress ifor the Christ mast ide. Doctors all along emphasised progress must he very slow, hub it is now probable tin state of progress is even slower than anticipated. Several times the hullo tin stated the condition was the same, meaning for the moment there is no improvement. To-night’s bulletin indicates His Majesty now has sustained a definite check. This in his very weakened condition becomes a matter of some concern.