THE CORONATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 33, 2 August 1911, Page 4

THE CORONATION.

SAUNDERS' FILM. Half-an-hour spent at tho Whiteley Hall last night gave one an infinitely better conception of the magnitude and grandeur of the Coronation procession than could be gathered from columns and columns of the finest writings upen the greatest regal pageant the Empire has known. One breaks off from a contemplation of the photographs themselves to marvel that it is only six w«eka ago since the great sight was witnessed by millions in the streets of London, and that already we at the opposite end of the earth are given not only the pictorial representations in Home newspapers (mailed to the colonies by special arrangements made by the Home newpaper magnates with the G.P.O. and the railway companies, but an actual living picture of the passing of the Royal eoacK through the streets of the great metropolis. Such are the wonders of scientific and industrial progress to-day, and tho revolutionised methods of distribution and ocean transit. The pictures shown at the Whiteley Hall last night were specimens of perfect photography, and were also remarkable because of the proximity of tho camera to the procefr sion, the Royal coach, bearing theil Majesties, King George and Queen Mary, appearing to pass within a few feet of the machine. The prancing and champing of the steeds which bore the galaxy of royal princes and most of the notables of the earth, tho glittering of the sun upon the jewelled accoutrements, the very featureß of Royalty itself were* portrayed with a clearness that was nothing short of marvellous. From the seats in the cosy little theatre one followed the Royal procession, marching along a perfectly clear route, which was lined by thousands and thousands of troops and the Metropolitan police. The coach and its magnificent escort were photographed for us passing through the Admiralty , Arch, entering Whitehall, passing under the triumphal arches, and arriving at Westminster Abbey, and the return to Buckingham Palace. There is bound to' be a continuous crowd of people to see this film this afternoon and evening, and for the remainder of the week.

The Coronation film is the central figure of a -programme of outstanding merit. No finer picture couid be imagined tilum "Trooping the Colors at tile Horse Guaifls Parade," which must lie seen to be appreciated. A beautifully tinted film ia "Winter Flowers," the photography in this, too, exciting wonderment. There's a whole shillingsworth in the Dreadnought section of the Pathe Gazette, and the dramas, "Coward or Hero" and "An Eventful Night" would each have been sufficient for a night's entertainment before we became spoiled by the liberality of the picture providers. The comics are happy and clean.

"LYONS MAIL." Mr. Saunders has secured another very fine film for this evening. It deals with the great historical incident of the French Revolution, dramatised, "The Lyons Mail." It was in this drama that the late Sir Henry Irving scored his greatest success, and it will shortly be presented by his son, Mr. H. B. Lrving. The play depicts the story >of a thrilling drama, which terminated iu the most shocking judicial error of the 18th Century. On March 28, 1795, a coach and four, which at the time conveyed the mails, left Paris with seven million francs in notes, with which to pav tha army in Italy commanded by General Napoleon Bonaparte. Bandits, however, attracted by the idea of so large a. sum ofmoney, raided the mail bag at Lieusaiiit, killed the driver and' his companion, and made tneir escape, after having carried off the booty. Through an unfortunate chance, which plays a fatal part throughout the entire piece, it happened that one of the bandits, Dubosc, 'bore a striking resemblance to an honest man, Joseph Lesurques, who had Jieen summoned to Lieusainit on business some hours before the attack on the mail. Dttibosc having disappeared, Lesurques was proved bv witnesses to be one of the instigators of the horrible crime, though he was back home in Paris wtai it was pnrpetrated'. The accomlplices in the crisis, who were arrested atthe same time as be, persisted in declaring his innocence, hoping that it would be established, and would in some way benefit them. They were, however, unsuccessful. Lesurques relying upon his innocence, neglected to defend himself, and the evidence against him 1 was so strong that he was condemned to death together with the other prisoners, who, however, deserved their fate, being all guilty. Directly the sentence of death was passed one of these man cried out that Lesurques was absolutely innocent In those days justice! was not administered with the same care as now, and an appeal made by Lesurqiues to superior authority was rejected. On October 30, 1700, Lesurques led to his death. All the way to the scaffold one of the condemnorl ttiat) loudly affirmed the innocence of the unfortunate victim. It was, however, of no ' avail, and Lesurques died a. victim of injustice and universally believed innocent. The piece has 'been acted bv the leading artists of France in the'most famous theatre in the world. The Theatre Francais, where the picture to be shown to-night was taken.