£1,000,000 DURBAR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 6, 1 July 1911, Page 9

£1,000,000 DURBAR.

IMPOSING SCENES DOR INDIAN CORONATION. That a million sterling is to be spent on the Coronation Durbar in India gives an idea of the magnificent character of the ceremonies that are being arranged and the gorgeousness of the scenes ni which, the King and Queen will be the, central figures at Delhi. Everything » to be done on a scale of unexampled splendor, as befits the first visit of a King-Emperor and his Consort to the vast territory over which they reign. Although the date of the Durbar is not yet officially announced, there is no doubt that it will be held on December 12 this year. The first intention was to have it in January next, but that was abandoned because of the night climate in Delhi in that month and the possibility , of rain. The date of December 12 has the advantage of falling before the commencement of the great Mahomeddan fast of Mohurrum. It was also intended at first that the ceremony should take place in the fort at Delhi, but that proposal was quickly abandoned, his Majesty deciding that the same site should be used as in 1877 and 1903. .' A gigantic ampitheatre will be constructed for the ceremony. The decorations will be on a lavish scale, and the actual service will include the placing of their crowns on their own heads by the King and Queen. Nothing of the kind has been seen since Napoleon the Great placed, upon his head the Iron Crown of Lombardy. A considerable portion of the Royal regalia will be conveyed to India, including both crowns. Their Majesties arc selecting a large suits to accompany them, and they will travel in a liner specially chartered for the occasion with a powerful escort of war vessels. They will proceed to Bombay, and from there direct to Delhi, Lord, Hardinge, who has received many addresses from 1 all the Indian races expressing joy at the prospect of the visit of the King, goes" to Delhi next month to discuss the final arrangements for the Durbar. He will meet there the committee appointed by his Majesty, of which the president is Sir John Hewett. The location of the camps is to be again between the famous ridge and the canal. There is ample space available there, and the selection of the ground is due to the desire to make the Royal camp for the King and Queen one oi unparalleled magnificence. Close to it will be the camps of the ruling chiofs and that of the Government of India. Apart from the actual Durbar there will be other imposing ceremonies. These include the arrival and passage of tha King and Queen and- their departure. There will be processions, through the city, for which the route is not yet settled, but to facilitate movement.and intercommunication a circular railway is to be built. It is anticipated that their Majesties will stay in Delhi ten or twelve days, and it is expected that the King will give private audiences to some of the important ruling Princes. » There is reason to anticipate that an elephant escort of native chiefs will not be a feature of the procession to the amphitheatre, as it was at the Durbar held by Lord Curzon, and that the King, accompanied by the Viceroy and other nigh officers of State, will proceed to the Durbar on horseback. Four divisions of infantry and. two divisions of cavalry, with a quota of Imperial Service troops, are to bemobilised for the Durbar, and there will be en* camped, close to Delhi between 80,000 and 90,000 men. After'the eeromonicß at Delhi have been completed, the King will proceed to the Terai, on the Nepal border, for tiger shooting for, ten days or so, and will then visit Calcutta. The Royal stay there is not expected to extend beyond three or four days; and it will terminate with the embarkation of the King and Queen for-England. Mr. Asquith stated that it was thought that the King would be absent on his visit to India probably frdm the middle of November to about the end of January.