KITCHENER DISCOVERY MERELY A HOAX.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3526, 19 August 1926, Page 4

KITCHENER DISCOVERY MERELY A HOAX.

PLANNED FOR PURPOSE OF SECURING FILM RIGHTS.

London, August 16. A crowd gathered outside the Lambeth Coroner’s Court where the coffin allegedly containing the body of Lord Kitchener is lying. The proceedings were most secret. The cor'oner was atended by Sir Bernard Spilsbury and Scotland Yard officials and detectives. The examination lasted for three-quar-ters on a hour. Subsequently the Home Office announced that when the packing case was opened it was found to contain an empty coffin, apparently new. It obviously had never contained human remains. RESENTMENT AGAINST PERPETRATORS OF HOAX. - London, August 16. Interest in the Kitchener incident has turned to resentment against the perpetrators of the hoax. The “Daily Express” says: “It is difficult to decide what steps can be taken against Power, who has perpetrated a stupid imposture in connection with an honoured name. The brazen author of an ugly hoax ’ might have derived considerable profit by exploiting the film ,rights / and other financial possibilities of his masquerade. The exposure of the fraud will serve finally to settle all doubts. The “Daily Herald ” in an editorial, declares: “The whole business appears to have had a commercial basis. The filming of the funeral procession in Norway, supplies the clue to the hitherto unexplainable stir made about Kitchener’s last voyage. Now we know all about it. What a lot the films are responsible for! HOW THE HOAX WAS STAGED. London, August 17. The “Daily News” special representative at Stavanger, telegraphs an amazing revelation of Power’s activities in Norway with representatives of a filming company. Without mentioning Kitchener, he explained that he was preparing a melodrama, in which a tourist was supposed to die, and be transferred to England for burial. Power and the cinematographer proceeded to the cemetery and photographed a coffin containing a Stavanger magnate resting in a chape, preparatory to interment. The big episode was staged at noon on July 31, when Power hired an empty coffin and hearse, and a number of hotel servant's as mourners, the hotel proprietor providing a Union •Tack to drape the coffin. After Power had persuaded the crowd into a thoroughly doleful attitude, to give the ceremony an air of versimilitude, the cortege moved solemnly to the Quay, were the captain of a Norwegian vessel allowed the coffin to be brought aboard, though he declined to half-mast the flag. As soon as the scene had been photographed, Power remunerated the supers and returned the coffin to the undertakers. The Norwegian Government was contemplating official protest against the body-snatching when it was to its relief informed that it was a hoax. The “Daily Mail” states that Viscount Broome, Earl Kitchener’s nephew, interviewed, said it had been painful for the family, but it was their duty to stand outside until the authorities had determined the truth or otherwise of the story. He now hoped that the whole miserable business would be dismissed from the public mind. If a ’W attempt were made to show a film they would aim at prevention. Mr. Foster, manager of the filming company, explains the company’s share in Power’s adventure. He says that Power stipulated that nothing offending the public taste should be attempted, hence, there was no filming of the actual remains, but they filmed the grave, the churchyard, the cemetry, and eighteen hundred' feet of typical Norwegian scenery. Power could not possibly make much money, because the’whole film was only equivalent to an episode in a topical fiilm, and his share was five percent, of the proceeds. Foster adds that mysteries had always fascinated Power. He last saw him on Saturday evening. He understood that Power had left London, taking his wife in order to spare her the worry of police investigations. It is not known where they have gone.