Illness of the King.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 223, 1 July 1902, Page 1

Illness of the King.

London, June 26. The latest bulletins have greatly reassured the public, and a hopeful spirit prevails. The Duke of Connaught informed a reporter that the King’s pulse and temperature ere norma), and that His Maj ;sty’s condition is most satisfactory, Mr Sedd n and Mr Barton attended a ciowded intercessory service at St. Paul’s. The service was limited to those who were invited to the Coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey, and the attendances inc'nded many peers and peeresses'and Indian Princes. Prayers for the King’s recovery were offmed in all the synagogues of the United Kingdom. Doctor Bourne, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Southwark, lias prescribed a Litany of' the Holy Name to be used daily, and it is to be used daily and to take the place of the “ Te Deum ” at Sunday services.

The cost of erecting the Coronation, stands was . £500,000, onefifth of which is covered by insurances.

The colonial military contingents are bitterly disappointed that they are not to see the King. They will sail for their homes on July 11th.

A bulletin issued at 11 p.m. stated that the King had passed a fairly comfortable day. He maintained bis strength, and had a returning desire fot food, which must be very carefully given. There is some return of pain to the wound.

June 27

If is semi-officially announced that the doctors regard the slight return of pain to the wound as a perfectly healthy and natural sign. Alarm is needless. The increase of temperature is inappreciable. The King is distinctly better compared with the previous night, and the doctors are satisfied with his progress.

The Prince and Princess of Wales have seen the patient, who is cheerful, even in high spirits. If the King continues to progress favourably something will be done to give prominence to the colonial troops. Possibly the Prince of Wales will review them. At the instance of Sir W. Laurier, Mr Barton, and the Premiers of self-governing colonies and the Governors of Crown colonies met and resolved to ask Mr Chamberlain to express to the King the profound sorrow his realms beyond the seas felt at his affliction, and their earnest hope for his early restoration, Intecessory services were held throughout tbe Empire yesterday. Many striking tokens of foreign sorrow are being shown in all the capitals.

At St. Paul’s there was a beautiful and impressive service, and the most representative congregation ever seen. It included the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, many Bishops, Royalties, Ministers, ex-Ministers, the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, Sir Wilfred Lauder, Sit Gordon Sprigg, Sir .1. Hime, Sir Juhn Forrest, Mrs Douglas Robinson, President Roosevelt’s sister. There was a silent and sympathetic multitude in the adjacent thoroughfares. The bulletins were road at the New York theatres, and the entire audience at Wallack's rose and sang “ God Save the King.” The Prince and Princess of Wales entertained 1300 children, mostly orphans, at dinner at Marlborough House yesterday. The colonial visitors were given an opportunity of seeing the fleet before dispersal, A bulletin issued at 2 o’clock stated that the King passed a comfortable morning. All the symptoms so far are satisfactory, and His Majesty’s temperature is normal. A bulletin issued at G o'clock stated that the satisfactory condition of the King is maintained. There are no disquieting symptoms. Crowds continue to arrive at Buckingham Palace, and to-day 10,000 awaited last night’s bulletin. Today’s favourable reports caused immense satisfaction, the public recognising that the King is passing promisingly through the critical period. Many military prisoners’ sentences were remitted on Thursday. A crowd of roughs, objecting to the postponement of the festivities, smashed a Councillor’s shop windows and made bonfires in the streets. Special constables were hastily enrolled and finally quelled the disturbance. Many arrests were made. June 28, The doctors consider that the calmness and pluck shown by the King have done much to help him through the critical stages of his illness. Electrically driven fans maintain a suitable temperature in the sick room. Thinking of the Empire’s disappointment the first words of the

King on recovering consciousness on Tuesday weie,.“ Will the people ever forgive mo ?” The Queen at intervals reads the newspapers to the King, who is permitted to smoke in moderation. A bulletin issued at 11 o’clock last night states that His Majesty’s condition is in all respects satisfactory, that he passed a comfortable day, and that his health shows a substantial improvement, j In a bulletin issued at 10.30 the surgeons announce :—“ We are happy to state that we consider the King is out of immediate danger. His general condition is satisfactory, but the wound still needs constant attention. Under the most favourable circumstances the cure of the wound must be protracted.” The two o’clock bulletins will be discontinued. The doctors’ concern chiefly attaches to the operation wound. A bulletin issued at 11 p.m. i states that the King bad a cemfort- . able day and his strength is well maintained. The wound occasionally causes discomfort. The crowds before Buckingham Palace are diminishing. The people cheered when the more favourable bulletins were issued. MESSAGES FliOM THE ACTING PEEMIER. j Sir J. G. Ward telegraphed as follows at 11.5 a.m. on Saturday; —“ Mr Seddon’s last cable, timed 1.40 p.m., June 27th, just received, states that His Majesty passed a good night. The wound is more comfortable, and on the whole the King’s condition is attended with less anxiety.” The Acting Premier sent the following telegram at Mid-day on Sunday : —“Have just received the following cable from Mr Seddon dated 1.10 p.m., 28th:—‘His Majesty had a good night. His improved condition is maintained. I am happy to state that the doctors consider the King out of immediate danger. His general condition is satisfactory. The wound, however, still needs constant attention. In this respect much concern is attached, and the case must of necessity be protracted.’ ” When the urgent cable message arrived on Sunday morning' announcing that the King was out of danger the Lyttelton Times immediately sent word to all the churches, when the message was read and received with great enthusiasm, the National Anthem being sung at most of the churches,