INDIAN CORONATION DURBAR

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 136, 4 December 1911, Page 5

INDIAN CORONATION DURBAR

WELCOME TO EMPEROR AND EMPRESS. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 3, 5.10 p.m. Bombay, December .2 Tlie weather is ideal, an feverish efforts are biing made to finish decorations. Public excitement at the arrival of their Majesties is unexampled within living memory. Portraits of the KingEmperor and the Queen-Empress are selling in the streets in huge numbers. BOMBAY EX FETE. UNEXAMPLED SPECTACLE. DISPLAY OF LOYALTY. Received 4. 12.35 a.m. Bombay, December 3. There is brilliant sunshine, and the harbor is full of decorated craft. The Viceroy boarded the Medina and •welcomed the Emperor and Empress. A 102 guns salute was fired in the harbor for the first time in its history. Their Majesties landed in the afterBoon, and renewed salutes were fired. The arrival happily coincided with the Mohammeuan festival of Bakrid, and the .gayest clothing was worn. A reception was given to the Hindoo chiefs on landing, and to officials, soldiers, clergy and judges. A magnificent pavilion was superbly decorated, and flew the national flags, including the Australian and the New Zealand flags. Their Majesties were seated on golden thrones. The dais was canopied in Royal blue. Their Majesties received the city's! address. The Emperor replied that one of his first desires after his accession to the throne was to visit his Indian subjects. After a stately procession through the city their Majesties returned to the Medina.

At the Durbar ceremonial Queen Mary was to appear in the same robes and crown that she wore at the Coronation, but to the gems in the croWn had been added the famous Koh-i-Noor, out of compliment to the Indian Empire. This marvellous gem crowned the head of an Indian Emperor 500 years ago. It passed from one Imperial line to another, until it became the treasure of the Punjaub, and then fell into the hands of the English, who sent it as a of conquest to Queen Victoria, thus giving point to the Indian saying that "Who holds the Koh-i-Noor holds India." In Indib the supersitution obtains that if the diamond is worn by a man dire disaster will befall him; while if the wearer be a woman, fortune will shine upon her for the rest of her days. So strong is the belief in this legend that when it was announced that the iate King Edward intended to have the gem set in his crown, many leading Indians petitioned His Majesty to give up the idea. The result was that the Koh-i-Noor, instead of appearing in the King's crown, was mounted in Queen Alexandra's diadem. It has now been transferred to the crown of Queen Mary, and so this historic gem appeared once more in the land whence it came. Another notable jewel worn by Queen Mary at Delhi is a large diamond lotus. This was worn at the enthronement, as well as the magnificent neck;ace which was one of India's presents to Her Majesty when, as Princess of Wales, she made her memorable visit to the East. The necklace is formed of graduated pearls, all differing in color. The central stone is an immense grey pearl of matchless beauty and size, and among the others are perfect specimens of the mauve, bronze, pink, black and yellow pearl. Many of the cloth-of-gold dresses made for the Queen have in their composition needlework specially made in Delhi during the present year. Following Her Majesty's example, most of the ladies who attended the Delhi pageant chose for their dresses gold cloth, and tinsel woven brocades. Lotus blue, emerald green, and orange were other colors favored by the Queen and by those who accompanied her. The ladies-in-waiting who were chosen to accompany Queen Mary to the Durbar were all young and of imposing presence.— Eveiy Lady's Journal.