KING AT SEASIDE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 585, 11 February 1929, Page 9

KING AT SEASIDE

Sound of Surf on Beach Below Lulls Monarch to Good Sleep

SAFE JOURNEY TO BOGNOR

(United P.A. — By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Assoeiation) (United Service)

Received 11.11 a.m. LONDOX, Sunday. TIIE King's first day at Bognor. whither he was safely removed yesterday from Buckingham Palace, was most quiet, in order that lie.should have as much rest as possible.

r PHERE were many thousands of -*■ people outside the Palace when the King began his journey. They were utterly silent as the King left. They could see through the raised blinds of the ambulance the Ro^al 1 patient lying on the bed. As the King was driven through the gates of the Palace, between the ranks of his bareheaded people, he raised one hand in salute. There was a pause for a few minutes in which the silence was unbroken. Then the pent-up feeling of the crowd was given full vent. As the Queen drove out the people surged forward and gave her a mighty cheer, waving their hats, their hands, and their handkerchiefs. Some of them sang the National Anthem. PALE, WAN FIGURE The ambulance was driven slowly from the front of the Palace to Victoria Street. The people who lined the route had a glimpse of the King’s pale, wan figure propped up in the narrow bed inside the ambulance. They could see the ravages his long struggle had wrought. CHEERED ALL ALONG ROUTE His Majesty travelled to Craigweil House past sympathetically cheering people for almost the entire distance of 60 miles. Although the route had been kept secret, the news of the direction being taken by the procession soon spread and every town and village on the way was crowded. Labourers in fields ran to the hedges to witness the passage of the ambulance and hundreds of thousands of people must have seen the Royal patient’s progress. Everywhere there were similar scenes. Realising from his pallor the greatness of the King’s ordeal, the people were surprised to see his Majesty propped up and invariably burst into continuous, but subdued, cheers and waved handkerchiefs and flags. The King repeatedly waved his hand in response. The Queen also was heartily cheered. Bognor was reached in a burst of sunshine. ROYAL STANDARD BROKEN The journey from Buckingham Palace was accomplished in three hours. The ambulance men carried his Majesty into the house and placed him in his bed. They successfully negotiated the difficult staircase t* the bedroom which overlooks the Channel, which was glittering in the sunlight. Immediately the Royal Standard was broken from the mast over the house. Only the Queen and the doctors were allowed to see the King to-day. The Queen sat for a considerable time at the bedside, which is so placed that the King may look out on the sea. The weather is overcast, and there has been considerable rain. It was thought that the roar of the sea on the beach might disturb his Majesty, but. these doubts were dispelled by the fact that he slept better than at any time since his illness began. All who are closely concerned with him are delighted about his condition following the journey. High hopes are held that the tonic air will quickly restore convalescence. Lord Dawson of Penn motored specially from London and signed % bulletin. He is not expected back at Bognor for several days. In the meantime there will be no bulletin. LAY ABED ALL DAY The King lay abed all day, upon a silver-plated bed from the Royal yacht, resting, except for a short period, in which he was encouraged to takfe deep-breathing exercises, which expand the lung affected by the empyema. When the King is a little better he will sit in the sunshine under the porch, overlooking the foreshore.

On a further stage of convalescence, he will take drives, which the Queen has planned to Chichester. Arundel. Goodwood and other historic houses in the neighbourhood. The King's meals at present are usually fish and milk pudding, the making up of which the Queen superintends.

The King is delighted by the change from the monotony of the London sickroom. He is looking forward to seeing intimate friends, though doctors will yet allow no visitors apart from the Royal family. •

SOUND SLEEP ENJOYED

TWO BULLETINS ISSUED IMPROVEMENT CONTINUES British Official Wireless Reed. 11 a.m. RUGBY, Sunday. Immediately following the ambulance car en route to Bognor were four automobiles in wbicb the King s Equerry, the Master of the Household, doctors, and other officials. Including the ambulance men, travelled. The Queen left the Palace a few minutes after the King. Her reception was exceptionally warm-hearted, and she smiled happily and bowed continually In acknowledgment of the cheers. A bulletin issued at 6 p.m. to-dav and signed by Sir Stanley Hewett and Lord Dawson of Penn reads as follows: * "His Majesty the King bad a good night and improvement continues. Although the King was tired somewhat toward the end of his two hours and 50 minutes’ drive in the ambulance car yesterday from Buckingham Palace to Craigweil House, Bognor, he was able to take a light luncheon shortly after his arrival, and later he enjoyed a sound and natural sleep for nearly four hours.” Later in the evening, a bulletin signed by Sir Stanley Hewett and Lord Dawson stated that “His Majesty the King travelled to Craigwell House without undue fatigue, and his general condition is satisfactory.” The route followed yesterday by the royal ambulance car was the most direct one, via Leatherhead, Dorking and Pullborough. Twice on the journey the car slowed down to permit of the King taking nourishment. The Queen arrived at Craigweil House half an hour before the ambulance, and was at the door to meet the King. Her Majesty, with tender interest, watched the removal of the King from the ambulance to the cheerful room in which it is hoped he will derive benefit from the sun's rays and the sea air.

TO GIVE UP HUNTING

PRINCE WILL SELL HORSES

TOO BUSY NOW TO RIDE (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Reed. 12.2 p.m. LONDON, Sunday. The “Dally Express” says the Prince of Wales has decided to abandon hunting and point-to-point races and dispose of all his hunters. This step is due to the rapidly increasing duties he is called on to perform owing to the King’s illness.

The decision means much selfdenial. The sport has provided him with countless happy excursions. The paper adds that the sale of the Prince’s 15 hunters, of which he is extremely fond, will be held at Leicester a fortnight hence.