THE DELHI DURBAR.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10502, 14 December 1911, Page 3

THE DELHI DURBAR.

A SUPERB SUCCESS. THEIR MAJESTIES' JRKiEPTTOX (United Fress Association—liy Mectrtc Teleyrapa — Luyyutj.u-.; (Received December 13, u.m.j DELHI, Deco:iiu«a- iM. The Dunbar was a supero sncceso, and was the most gorgeous and stirding spectacle in the history of Hindustan. King George received a magnificent reception, and was greeted with a thunder of applause ironi one hundred thousands subjects. Amid a scene of regal splendor, a brilliant procession of the ruling Princes paid homage to the King and Emperor. Thereafter, the Coronation proclamation was read, and the whole w.,s a beautiful and impressive coremonia.. I'ao liiio at ooojiij i.di, iuiUuonceu, and the Durbar excised ajnid a trtme..clous outburst of loyai cntnusiasm. iUia me Aiiiuiem was sung. KIULLIAA i' A&>KAi.HLAGE. (Received December lo 1 , 8.55 a.m.)

DELHI, December 12. From early mormng a vabt concourse moveu to tne scene of tne Uux'bar, and by 10 o'clock the great amphitheatre was filled with a brilliant assemblage, representative of eveiy cast auid creed in India. The assemblage provided a dazzling kaleidoscopic picture of wealth aria beauty, of which a feature was tiie jewels and rich apparel of the Prince:.-, which were of fabulous value. • The people's mound, a great raised bank around the arena opposite the ampiiitheatre, was! packed with. sixty tliousand spectators, clothed in every hue, the mound resembling a distant bank of flowers. In the centre of the arena was a beautiful throne under a ridh crimson and gold canopy Nearer the amphitheatre was an equally beautiful pavilion where their majesties received the homage of llhe Princes. The arena was occupied by twenty thousand troops representing each division.

The military display was indeed the finest ever seen in India, and was the most striking feature of the Durbar. Punctually at noon the Royal precession entered, attended by an imposing escort of Indian and British cavalry and artillery. The King was robed in purple and ermine, and the Queen in a richly embroidered robe. Both, wore crowns.

The troops saluted and the guns boomed while a great multitude rose and ihailed their King and Emperor. Massed bands played "God Save the King," and after a fanfare by picturesque heralds the Durbar opened. The King addressed the assemblage, expressing gratification to the able to commemorate his coronation in India. Homage by the chiefs followed, an imposing army of potentates from every comer of India, garbed in {heir national dress, making a low obeisance before their Majesties. Their Majesties then went ift procession to the centre of the amphitheatre where the coronation proclamation was read with .a most impressive oeremohy. Salvoes of artillery, ' crackling musketry and . a flourish of trumpets announced that the King wos proclaimed. ,

Tlve •National Antheni again crashed out and a herald called for cheers for their Majesties, an«d a mighty" went up, from on© hundred thoiisau 1 throats. : ' '' '.; \ • ■'; The King further announced that ■he had decided to commemorate the Coronation by transferring the seat of Government from Calcutta to tiie ancient capital of Delhi. The announcement was received with a storm of cheers. Among the other boons announced by the Viceroy (Lord Hardinge) were gratuities for the troops arid Government servants and a grant of £350,000 for education, while the native army was made eligible for the granting of the Victoria Cross.

The Durgar was an unqualified sue- j cess, being perfectly organised and ; carried out, and constituted the most profoundly impressive 'spectacle in recent history. . LIST OF HONOURS. (Received December 13, 5.55 a.m.) LONDON, December 12, A lengthy .list of Durbar honours i* aiurounced. The orders of the Star of India and the Indian Empire are increased by statute. The Grand Cot. manders of the. Star of India' "inclmio Sir George Sydenham Clarke. Governor of Bombay; Captain Sir Arthur Lawley, Governor of Madras : Genevi' Sir O'More Creagh, Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army; Aga Khan, head of the Indian Mahommedansi; the Newab of Dacca. On. account of his services in Eastern Bengal, a Baronetcy was conferred on Sir Sassoon David,"of Bombay. The Order of the Crown of India was conferred on the Marchioness of Crewe, the Begunvof Bhopal, and the Maharranee of Bhavangar. A DAZZLING PICTURE. (Received December 13, 11.50 a.m.) DELHI, December 12. The amphitheatre at Delhi was a ! dazzling picture of brilliant costumes and flashing jewels. . The homage of the ruling Prince; was an impressive spectacle. Tlie KingV proclamation granting half a montlh's'pdy to' English and

I native soldiers, and making the officers and men. of the Indian arnty eligible ft* l ", the Victoria Cross, and releasing civil debtors on payment of their debts, caused the utmost satisfaction. The transfer of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi, and the establishment of a Governorship for Bengal, with Lieut.-Governorships at Behar. Ghota, Nagpur, and Orisia, and a Chief Commissionership of Assam, were loudly applauded. THE KING'S ANNOUNCEMENT. TRANSFER OF THE CAPITAL. (Received December 13, 10.20 a.m.'* LONDON, December 12. The King's announcements wore communicated to both Houses of Par liament.

In the House of Lords, Lord Lansdown© said that he doubted if the House had ever listened to A more important statement. The transfer <.f the capital had uprooted many traditions. The creation of a gre.it solid Bengalese provinse was an abrupt reversal of Lord Curzon's policy, which had . been accepted by his ' successor and successive Governments, \ln the House of Commmis, thfc Premier said he agreed with Mr Bon-ir Law as to the necessity for a discussion on the subject, but lie did not th'nl. it desirable while Hi< 1I nesty vas absent.