THE KING'S CONVALESCENCE.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 275, 14 February 1929, Page 5

THE KING'S CONVALESCENCE.

VISIT TO BOGNOR. Vivid Story of People's Pathos. (By Special Request). For months past the thoughts of millions of people have turned In re- | spectful sympathy to that qumt chamber in Buckingham Palace where our beloved Sovereign puts up a brave fight against disease and weak-

ness (writes Rev. Jas. Ir.gs, Presbyterian minister at Te Aroha, to the Matamata Record). It matters not to many that Buckingham Palace is but a ; they try and visualise the scene. To many, however, the task is rendered easy. Buckingham Palace is familiar to them; the writer believes he can make the scenes relive for many who have not had the good fortune to know London. As a native-born New Zealander he went to London for the Coronation of the King’s father, Edward the Peacemaker. The month originally fixed for the Coronation was June. London was enjoying ideal summer weather. The Metropolis was crowded with people from ! every quarter of the globe. Royal visitors had foregathered for the! great event. londtm was on the qui vive. The whole scene flashes back i upon our memory. Preparations' were complete; the decorations wcr? lavish beyond description. A party of us was tonring the proposed route. We had reached the intersection of St. James’ street—the famous street of fashionable clubs—and were admiring the festoon of artificial white doves suspended along both sides of the thoroughfare, when the blow fell. A number of excited newsboys rushed along the street crying the contents of hastily-issued special editions. Like a blow it smote our ears; “ King dangerously ill; Coronation postponed.” Papers were snatched from the hands of newsboys, and no one waited for change. As soon as we were able to grasp the significance of the disastrous news, moved by a common impulse, we all raced to Buckingham Palace gates. Recalling those memorable scenes, we have been able to visualise what has taken place there during the past weeks:, the respectful demeanour Of the growing crowds, the agitated whispers, the waiting for news. After what seemed like an eternity we saw an official leave the Palace with a

paper in his hands, which he read as he advanced. It was the official bulletin. Posted upon the gates its message filtered to the outskirts .of the vast crowd. Moved by that touch of nature that makes the whole world kin, heads were bared, and the familiar words of the National Anthem rose from thousands of hearts:

God save our gracious King; Long live our noble King; God save the King That was in 1902. We all know the sequel eight years of beneficenl reign. Electing to remain in Britain the visitor often saw His Majesty, and was still in Britain when the King died in 1910. Less than six months ago we were again in London, and realised afresh, after all the overthrow of thrones in Europe, the secure place cur own Sovereign occupies in the minds of his people. And now the thoughts of his subjects turn to Bognor. Why Bognor? Knowing Bognor as we db, we can think of no finer choice. Of all the seaside resorts of the sunny South Coast, it seems the most fitting. We saw it again last summer, nestling cosily in its sheltered bay. Brighton is better known, but Brighton is as big as Auckland, and the King needs quiet. Bognor, with its population of some thirteen or fourteen thousand, sheltered from the westerly winds by Selsea Bill, in the pleasant county of Sussex, should provide His Majesty -with both the rest and the stimulus he needs. Its trim villas are occupied by people who wish to avoid the garishness of many larger and more popular seaside resorts. To Bognor-by-the-Sea all hearts will turn, and to Heaven will continually ascend the people’s prayer:

PUTARURU PICTURES. SATURDAY, 16th FEBRUARY— Monte Blue in Prices as Usual. WEDNESDAY, 20th FEBRUARY— From Victor Hugo’s great story. All-star Cast. Prices, 1/9, 1/6 and 6d. ALSO COMMENCING : TE AROHA JOCKEY CLUB. Annual Race Meeting. Annual Race Meeting. TE AROHA RACECOURSE. SATURDAY and MONDAY, 16th and 18th FEBRUARY, 1929. The Sportsman’s Holiday. Special Train and Excursion Fares from Auckland and all branch lines. First race starts about 11.50 each day. G. A. BUSH, Secretary.