The Passing of King Edward VII.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 837, 10 May 1910, Page 2

The Passing of King Edward VII.

IN ST. PAUL’S

PROCLAMATION

PUBEIC OBSERVANCES,

The Prince of Wales, in his telegram to the Lord Mayor, announcing the death of His Majesty, said ;

“ I am deeply grieved to inform you that my beloved father, the King passed away peacefully at 11.45 p.m.”

London, May 7

The Times, in describing the last hours of His Majesty, says that he died as he lived —in harness.

.iia Majesty refused to siay in bed on Friday morning, faced his illness with courage and determination and, except during the attacks of coughing, and choking, be conversed as usual.

There was a bad paroxysm of coughing in the forenoon, and the paroxysm recurred in the afternoon, till, in the evening, it took the form rather of failure of breath and His Majesty became comatose, but throughout he remained tv.-. declining to go to bed. Oxygen was freely administered, and th- air of the room was thoroughly oxygenated. * The family was summoned, and nearly all arrived by 7.30 p.m. The Archbishop of Canterbury was at the bedside, and administered the last rites.

Four physicians were present, also Nurse Fletcher, who had attended His Majesty at the operation in 1902, and again attended him at Biarritz when he suffered from bronchitis early in March. Her Majesty Queen Alexandra and the members of the family were constantly to and from the sick room.

King Edward recognised anyone present in a flicker of consciousness about 10 p.m., and then relapsed into coma, and peacefully expired at 11.45.

The departure of the Prince and Princess of Wales at 12.15 a.m., caused the crowd waiting in the drizzling rain to fear the worst, and soon afterwards a number of pressmen made a hurried exit from the Palace.

The crowd eagerly thronged around them, questioning “ What is the news ? do tell us.”

“ The Kidg is dead,” was the reply. The crowd was stunned, and doubted the statement. “It is quite true,” the pressmen replied.

Half an hour later motor cars brought special editions of the morning paper, announcing the death.

The newspapers comment on the fact that L,ord Islington, GovernorEflect of New Zealand, and Mr Robinson, representing Queensland, were the last to see the King. His Majesty’s consideration for the overseas Dominions lasted until the very end. A NEW ZEALAND TRIBUTE.

The Hon. Hall-Jones has written to King George V. : ‘‘lt is my painful duty as New Zealand’s representative to convey to His Majesty the profound grief of the people of New Zealand at the lamented death of their beloved King. Though living in a distant part of His Majesty’s realm the people of New Zealand, both British and Maori, are as devoted in loyally and intense in sorrow as those of the Home Land, and they join in the universal mourning at the great loss the Empire has sustained.”

Mr Will Crooks, speaking at Wolworth, requested the audience to sing the National Anthem. He said : “His Majesty the King is the greatest statesman in the world. I care for him more than for any other, because I know that he cares for the common people. He is the father of us all.”

A memorial service was held in St. Paul’s Cathedral this morning. The Lord Mayor, the Right Hon. John Burns, and other representatives of the Government were present. The nave was crowded. The Dead March in Saul was pi ayed and the service closed with a verse of the National Anthem, sung by the congregation. London, May 9.

On arriving at Sandringham on the Saturday, after a heavy rainfall, King Edward felt so well that he declined to remain indoors.

He inspected the alterations being made in the grounds, being anxious to have all in order before Queen Alexandra’s return. He again caught a chill. Returning on Monday, he dined privately at Grosvenor Crescent. The chill developed, and on returning to Buckingham Palace he was never again in the open air. The asthmatic cardiac affection gradually increased. Oxygen was administered at intervals since Thursday night. The medical examination was at first directed to possible complications in the throat.

Dr St. Clair Thomson, on being summoned, declared that an operation was unnecessary.

The Prince of Wales and Queen Alexandra were deeply moved by the unfavourable morning bulletin on Friday and both visited the sick room for a few minutes, but the relatives did not make a prolonged stay, the doctors stating that quiet and repose were essential.

Throughout the day King Edward sat in a chair.

There were frequent paroxysms of coughing, and two fainting fits. Between the attacks he insisted on transacting public business, including the arrangements for the reception of Prince Fushimi, the Mikado’s representative to the opening of the Anglo-Japanese Exhibition, and insisted on several alterations. During the afternoon conditions became [steadily worse.

The constant strain ot coughing affected the heart, the left ventricle failing to act. The oxygen gave no relief. x.

It is reported that Queen Alexandra’s grief was pathetic. She kept passing in and out of the death chamber, and refused to take rest.

The official announcement states that Queen Alexandra is sustaining the trial with great fortitude and her health is satisfactory. Canon Sheppard read special prayers in the private chapel at the palace. King George V. was at Marlborough House throughout the morning.

Mr Winston Churchill’s message as the Home Secretary, to the Lord Mayor, requested the tolling of the great St. Paul’s bell, which is only tolled for the King or an Archbishop. As the great bell was struck the City policemen stood at salute. The tolling conveyed to thousands of early workers the first news. Loudon to-day is indescribably shocked. Minute guns were fired from all the warships around the coast. Muffled bells rung at the Town Hall gave Manchester the news. Crowds waited oulside Birmingham newspaper offices until the morning. Parliament met and took the oath of allegiance. Crowds uncovered silently as King George V. dio\e through the streets in Naval uniform to the Privy Council meeting.

GRIEF IN INDIA. There is the utmost grief and distress throughout India.

RUSSIA MOVKD. Deep regret is expiessed at St. Petersburg. The Nova Vremya says “King Edward was a faithful friend to Russia and universal peace. May his successor have inherited his love of peace and loyalty to his friends, and the broad comprehension ot the needs of humanity and the State.”

The Eord Mayor, in acknowledging the Prince of Wales’s intimation, tendered on behalf of the citizens their true sympathy and condolence. He also telegraphed to Queen Alexandra the city’s profound emotion. “God called,” be said, “to himself your august husband and a most gracious and beloved King. The "* city expresses its loyal devotion and deep sympathy. Good bless and comfort you and those dear you in your hour of need sorrow.”

The Primate was present when King Edward passed quite peacefully and quietly into Eternity. Queen Alexandra watched her husband with the utmost devotion since her return. GEORGE V. The Times, in the course of its leading article on the death, says : “ We have lost a great constitutional King, but he has left in his son a successor in whom we may confidently repose our trust.” The newspapers are agreed that in George V. the Empire will have a monarch of serious character and wide personal knowledge of the public business throughout the Empire.

INTERESTING STATISTICS OF REIGNS.

INTERESTING EVENTS recalled.

IS41 —Born at BuckinglmMtffe Palace. 1841 —Created Prince of Wales. 1854 —'Took his place, for the first time beside the Queen and Prince Consort upon the Throne. 1858 —Colonel in the Army. 1858 — Receives the Garter. 1859 — Studies at Edinburgh. 1859 —Studies at Oxford, iB6O Visited Canada and United States. 1861 —First term at Cambridge. 1861 — Military training, Curragh. 1862 General. 1862 Travelled on the Continent. 1863 Married. 1 1864 — Duke of Clarence born. 1864—Visited Denmark, Sweden and Russia. 1865 Duke of York born. 1889 —Egypt. feve? I ~ AUaCke(i WUh typtw &

1872 Thanksgiving Service, St. Paul’s.

1874 — Grand Master of the Freemasons in Phi gland. 1875 — Field-Marshal. 1875 —Visited India. 1884 — Maiden speech House of Lords. 1885 — Tour through Ireland. xBB8 —Silver wedding. 1892 —Death of the Duke of Clarence.

1897 —Prince of Wales Hospital Fund.

1901 — Proclaimed King--1902 Crowned. A YEAR’S WORK,

These facts and figures illustrate in striking fashion the enormous amount of work got through by King Edward in a year: — 43 places visited (Great Britain 28, abroad 15). 140 audiences with Ministers, Ambassadors, etc. 8 Privy Councils. 16 Public openings and unveilings.

14 State banquets. 12 Military and naval reviews and inspections. 6 Visits to exhibitions, etc. 4 Courts. 3 Levees. 12 Visits to race meetings. 42 Visits to theatres. 1 Special tea party. 1 Special garden party. 50,000 Letters and documents.

A representative gathering assembled in front of the’ Borough Council Chambers at noon to-day to hear the Mayor (G. H. Stiles, Esq,) read the Proclamation of King George V. After the declaration had been read, the Mayor called for three cheers for the King, which were lustily given, and a verse of the National Anthem was sung, then the flag was run up to the top of the flag pole. WHEREAS it has pleased Almighty God to call to his mercy our late Sovereign, Lord King Edward VII, of blessed and glorious memory by whose decease the Imperial Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and all other of his late Majesty’s Dominions, is solely and rightfully come to the High and Mighty Prince George Frederick Ernest Albert, we therefore, William Lee, Baron Plunket, the Governor of the Dominion of New Zealand, Joseph George Ward, a member of His Late Majesty’s Privy Council, Prime Minister of the said Dominion and the member of the Executive Council of the said Dominion, assisted by members of both houses of the General Assembly, judges and magistrates, ministers of religion, mayors, chairmen and members of local bodies, and numerous other representatives, European and Maori citizens here present, do now hereby with one lull voice and consent of tongue and heart, publish and proclaim that the High and Mighty Prince George Frederick Ernest Albert is now, by the death of our late Sovereign of happy and glorious memory, become our only lawful and rightful Liege Lord George V. by the Grace of God, King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the seas, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India, Supreme Lord in and over the Dominion of New Zealand and its dependencies, to whom we do acknowledge all faith

and constant obedience [ with all hearty and ; humble affection, beseeching God, by whom Kings and Queens do reign, to bless the Royal Prince George V, with long and happy years to reign over us. Given at Wellington in the Dominion of New Zealand, this tenth day of May, in the year of our Eord, 1910.

J. G. WARD, J. F. ANDREW, Clerk of the Executive Council God Save the King.

The Mayor received the following telegram from the Premier this moruiug : secure uniformity ot action iu connection with the lamented death of our late beloved Sovereign, the following public observances are respectfully suggested ; that a close day of mourning be observed on the occasion of the funeral of his late Majesty (a general holiday on that day will be proclaimed later) ; women and girls to be asked to wear a band of black ribbon on the right arm above the elbow and men to wear a strip of black ribbon on their lapel of the coat until after the funeral of the King, flags on public buildings in addition to being at half mast will have a black streamer, a foot above each flag, and it is desired that this also be done on business places. It is further suggested that all ministers of religious and all congregations on Sunday next, the fifteenth inst., aud ou the day appointed for the funeral ot his late Majesty hold solemn services of public worship and mourning on behalf of the people of the Dominion.”

Name. Age at Deaths. Years Duration of Reign. Years. William I. 60 21 William II. 43 13 Henry I. 67 35 Stephen 50 19 Henry II. 56 35 Richard I. 42 10 John 50 17 Henry III, 65 56 Edward I. 68 35 Edward II. 43 20 Edward III. 65 50 Richard II. 34 22 Henry IV. 47 13 Henry V. 34 9 Henry VI. 49 39 Edward IV. 4 1 22 Edward V. 13 0 Richard III. 35 2 Henry VII. 53 24 Henry VIII. 56 38 Edward VI. 16 6 Mary I 43 5 Elizabeth 70 44 James I, 59 22 Charles I, 48 24 Charles II. 55 25 4 James II. 65 3 William III. 51 13 Mary II. 33 6 Anne 49 12 George I. 67 13 George II. 77 33 George III. 82 59 George IV. 68 10 William IV. 72 7 Victoria 82 64 Q Edward VII. 6q