KING EDWARD'S DEATH

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 259, 14 May 1910, Page 3

KING EDWARD'S DEATH

A CHARIOT FROM HEAVEN. London. Reuter's Capetown Agency reports that the Indians in the Transvaal manifested sincere grief at the death of the King. The natives in the vicinity of Durban connect his Majesty's death with Halley's comet, which is now clearly visible. They believe the comet is the chariot sent to carry the King's soul to heaven. WIRELESS MESSAGES. All passenger liners fitted with wireless apparatus which were on the ocean on Saturday were informed of King Edward's death by wireless telegranhy, and the liners communicated the sad news to smaller vessels by signals. QUEEN MAUD'S RETURN. When driving to Victoria Station to meet King Haakon and Queen Maud (the late King's daughter) on their arrival from Norway, both King George and Queen Mary were grave and anxious. Queen Maud, on alighting from the train, was pale and sorrowful, and impulsively took her brother's arm, as if seeking someone to sustain her in making her tragic return to her father's home, but the obligations of Royalty asserting themselves, she advanced alone and received the sad official welcomes. LABOURS' BEST FRIEND. The resolutions passed by the House of Commons and conveyed to King George at Buckingham Palace, by a deputation from the House, included the resolution of condolence and of congratulation to the new King upon his accession. During the debate in the House of Commons Mr Asquith described King Edward VII. as "the Great King." Mr Balfour, in seconding the resolution, adopted this phase and referred feelingly to "the adored QueenMother." Mr Enoch Edwards'tribute referred to King Edward's noble life and heroic services. The workers feel that they had lost one of their best friends in "the Great King." QUEEN MOTHER'S HEALTH. With reference to the groundless rumours it is authoritatively stated that Queen Alexandra's health affords no grounds for anxiety on the part of her medical attendants. DEAD KING'S FEATURES. The "Daily Telegraph" states that Sir Luke Fildes, R.A., who made a sketch of the dead King yesterday, describes his features as suggesting the majesty of kingship, or beautiful kingliness, yet the face is so transfigured that there is no earthliness about him, and every vestige of tiredness and weariness has gone. The features, he added, strongly suggested a likeness to those of his father. ACCESSION OATH. The "Times" states that although reasonable men of all religions are agreed that the wording of the accession declaration, to which exception has been taken by Roman Catholics, might be modified with advantage, it seems impossible that the eff acting of the specific changes asked for could be carried within the time at Parliament's disposal, inasmuch as such changes would require a unanimous vote of Parliament. The urgency of the Civil list would, also stand in the way. The "Daily News" states that the Government intends to introduce a bill to amend the accession oath by omitting the words "superstitious and idolatrous," and submitting, "contrary to my belief."