POLAR HEROES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 274, 11 April 1913, Page 3

POLAR HEROES.

NATIONAL MEMORIAL SERVICE AT ST. PAUL'S. KING CJEORGE PIiESEXT. , The national memorial service for Captain Scott and his gallant comrades of the ill-fated Antarctic Expedition was held at St. Paul's Cathedral on February 14 with a solemn simplicity that was deeply impressive. The desire to make it a national father than a State service was attained l>y the elimination of all ceremony as far as possible. The King was not, according to custom on State occasions, veceived jbv the Lord Mayor at tire City Boundary to be presented with the Sword of State. His Majesty drove inietly and privately to the Cathedral. At uti early hour iu the morning, groups of people began to assemble near the Cathedral, and the announcement that no tickets of admission were required brought together a huge crowd soon after nine o'clock. All the available accommodation in the cathedral was soon occupied, and at 10 o'clock the announcement "Church Pull" had to be exhibited. The great gates had to be closed, and there werp even then some hundreds of men and women patiently waiting on the steps in the hope that they might vet he admitted.

The King arrived at the Cathedral in a. closed carriage on the stroke of 12 o'clock. His Majesty wore the "uniform of an Admiral of the Fleet. The members of his suite followed in closed carriages.

Just outside the choir, and right -underneath the dome were seated the band of the Coldstream Guards. There was little colour in the grouping of the congregation. Uniforms were not numerous, and most of the ladies wore Rome form of semi-mourning. From 11 o'clock onwards the band at intervals plaved such selections as Handel's "Largo," and the impressive "Benedictus," which the conductor himself had composed. Towards noon a number of were accommodated, with 6eats adjoining the hand, giving the necessary naval 'touch to the gathering. The reserved seats under the dome, began to fill up about 11.30, and several Cabinet Ministers were among the earlier occupants of this space. The Prime Minister, who was accompanied bv Mrs. Asquith, was among the first of the members of the Government to arrive.

The seats nearest t|ie,.soutli door wero occupied by relatives of , those who had been engaged in the expedition. Among them were seated' six jwvs in naval unfform. representing the junior branch of the Imperial Maritime '"League. Seated near Mr. Akq'iji|h. who was in the uniform of an Elder Brother of Trinity House, were Colonel Seely. Mr. liirrell, and Mr. Sydney Buxton. Lord Brassey, Lord Emmott, and Lord Curzon, the president, and other represent!!' tivcs of the Royal Geographical Society occupied stuts in the'choir, while the Lord Mayor, sheriffs, and ahlennen 1 of the city were in their accustomed place*. Tn the choir were members of, the British Antarctic Committee and representatives of the Colonial Governments. Sir E. Grey was represented by Lord Onslow, one of his secretaries. Most of the Ambassadors and other represent itives of the foreign governments were present, and scarcely any Department of State was unrepresented. After the impressive singing of "Rock of Ages," Mackenzie's "Bcnedictus" was heard. . The 23rd Psalm was beautifully chanted. and the solemn "Domine 'Refugium'" preceded the "Benedictus," \yhich was rendered to Gray in A. -The lesson from Corinthians was .read bv Dean Inge, the rest of the service being conducted by the Rev. S. I. Clark. Minor Canon.

The playing 1 of Handel's "Dead March in Saul," the musicians as'well as the entire "fathering l standing, will not he forgotten hv anv who wore present.. A portion of the Liturgy of St. C'lirysostom followed to the Kieff Chant." and then the prayes beginning. "0 Lord, deal not with us after our sins." The names of the intrepid five were included in the first of the Collects. This necordinslv read. "We Innnblv leave in Thv fatherly I-eepin? the souls of our brother*. Robert Falcon Scott,. Lawrence Edward Croce Oat-es. Ed ward Adrian Wilson. TTenrv TJobertson Bowers, and' Ed jar Evans, heseechinrr Thee that it mav nle.'isn Thee of Th v «i'!»"ious onodness shortly to accomplish the number of Thine eleet." The intoning of this and " f her Collects deeply moved mnnv., in tl<» con<TC£rat : on.

The favourite in-mn. "Jesu.-lover of *>"■ 0111." in which tlie cniiwroation iniml. was follo"-<vl hv tb° Benediction, which hro""ht this most impressive service to a close.