Stern Fight Still

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 540, 18 December 1928, Page 1

Stern Fight Still

A RESTLESS AFTERNOON Latest From the Palace rIE progress recently noted in the King’s condition has not been continued during the last few hours.” So reads the latest bulletin issued last evening. It mentions that his Majesty spent a somewhat restless afternoon. t Australian and K.Z. Press- Association) (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (United Service)

Reed. Noon. LONDON, Monday. The King’s doctors, Lord Dawson of Penn, Sir Stanley I-lewett and Sir Hugh Rigby, issued the following bulletin at 10.45 a.m. to-day: ■ “His Majesty had a fair night, with some natural sleep toward morning. The slight improvement in his Majesty’s condition noted yesterday continues.”

“This is the best bulletin we have had yet,” declared the eminent director of the world's greatest ray therapeutic plant, the rays of which tend to produce natural sleep. This is the first time that phrase has been used, and it is a factor of the greatest importance. Lord Dawson and Sir Stanley Hewett saw the King at 3 p.m. It is officially stated that the reported improvement has been maintained. The Prince of Wales told the Lord Mayor of London that he regarded the last two reports as much more favourable. The King had slept for two nights without a sleeping draught. The Prince is hopeful of still more favourable bulletins in a day or two. A bulletin, issued at 8.15 p.m., said: “The King in the afternoon has been somewhat restless. The progress recently noted has not been continued during the last few hours.”

SOME GROUND LOST NO STEADY PROGRESS WHAT BULLETIN REVEALS (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Reed. 12.33 a.m. LONDON, Monday. The latest bulletin justifies the view held at the Palace that any optimism must still be guarded and restrained. His Majesty, despite the natural sleep so stressed to-day. has to-night lost some of the ground that he gained in the previous 36 hours.

Naturally, it is hoped that this check in his progress is only a part of the ebb and flow which must continue for some time, and that the setback may be temporary. Yet the fact must be faced that nothing in the nature of steady progress lias been achieved during his long, exhausting illness. Although the three consecutive bulletins prior to to-night's noted an improvement, this one has not.

• RAY THERAPY AGAIN The King’s condition has been subjected to changes during the course of each day. To-night’s report, while it is distinctly different from what was hoped, has not unduly increased the anxiety which those in close touch with the King have never ceased to feel. Ray therapy was again administered. the visits of Dr. Woods and Dr. Howitt, the ray experts, to the [ Palace lasting half an hour. Sir Hugh Rigby was in consultation with Lord Dawson and Sir Stanley Hewett for over an hour. Sir Hugh and Lord Dawson left at 8.30, Sir Stanley Hewett remaining. The Prince of Wales, who arrived at 8, the Duke and Duchess of York, and Princess Mary dined with the Queen. The Duke and Duchess are cancelling Wednesday’s engagements and are not attending any Christmas | entertainments.