HIS MAJESTY'S CORONATION DURBAR.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10261, 13 June 1911, Page 6

HIS MAJESTY'S CORONATION DURBAR.

(Resaunt from London Daily Main

That a million sterling is to be spent on fthe Coronation Durbar in India gives an idea- of the magnificent character of the ceremonies .that are being arranged and t2ie igorgeousness of the scenes in which the King and Queen will be the central figures at Delhi. Everything is to be done on a scale of unexampled splendour, as 'befits the first visit of a King-Emperor and his Oonisort to the vast territory over which they reign. Although the date of the Durbar is not yet officially announced, there is mo doubt that it will be on December 12t!li 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 12bh ihas the advantage of falling before the commencement of the great Mia •hommedan fast of JVloiburrum. It was also intended' at the first -that the ceremony should take place in the fort at Delhi, but that proposal was quickly abandoned, Jiis Majesty deciding that the isame site (should be used as in 1877 and 1903.

UNKNOWN SINCE NAPOLEON'S DAYS.

A gigantic laimplhitheatre will be constructed for the ceremony. The decorations 'will (be on a lavish scale, and the aotual service will include the placing of their crowns upon their town (heads by the King and ■Queen. Nothing of the kind lias! (been seen since Napoleon the Great j 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 are isefecting fa ! large suite to accompany them, and j they will travel in a liner specially ] chartered' for the occasion, with a j powerful escort of war vessels. They will proceed .to Bombay, and from there direct to Delhi. Lord Hardinge, who lias received many addresses from all the Indian races expressing joy at the prospect of the visit of the King, goes to Delhi ■next month to discusis the final arrangements for the Durbar. He will meet there the committee appointed by ihis Majesty, of which the President is Sir Jolin Hewett. Hie location, of the -camps is to be | again ibetween the famous triiidge and the canal. There is ample isipace availaJble there, and the iselection otf the ground is due to the desire to make the royal camp for the King , and Queen one of unparalleled magnificence. Close to it will be the camps of the ruling.oßietfs 'and that of the Government of India. NINETY THOUSAND TROOPS IN CAMP.

Apart _ from the actual Durbar there will foe other imposing ceremonies. These include the arrival and passage of the King and Queen" •and their departure.. There will be processions through the pity, for which the route is not yet settled, hut to facilitate .movement and intercommunication a circular railway is to 'be built. * It lis anticipated that their Majesties will stay in Delhi ten or twelve days, 'and it is expected that the King will give private audieni cas to some of the more 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 Cur-, zon, and that the King, accompanied by the Viceroy and other high officers of iState, will proceed to the Durbar on honseback. Four •divisions of infantry and two divisions of cavalry, with a quota of Imperial Service troops, are to be mobilised for the Durbar, and there will be encamped close to Delhi between "80,000 and 90,000 men. After the ceremonies at Delhi have been completed the King will proceed to the Terai, on the Nepal f btarder, for , tiger, shooting for ten days or 'SO,: will tfyen visit Calcutta. The royal istay there is inot expected .to extend ibeyond s three or four days; and it will, terminate with the emibarkation of the King alid. Queen for England. 'Hopes'will ibe cherished in; Madras, that their Majesties will land there 1 for a isfoort visit. Mr Asquitfo .stated recently that it was thought that the King would be absent on his visit to India probably from the middle of November to about the end of 'January. The liner referred to aihove is the new P. and O. steamer Medina, 12,500 tons, which on her maiden voyage lis to have the honour of conveying their Majesties to India for the Coronation Durbar .at Delhi.