BUCKINGHAM PALACE

Waipukurau Press, Issue 289, 30 July 1908, Page 7

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

0 In 1609 James 1., according to information contained in the State Papers, expended the sum of £935 for the purpose of “ em- _ Funking a piece of ground and for planting mulberry trees near the Palace of Westminster.” The site was the ground now occupied by Buckingham Palace and gardens and it was with the object of encouraging the silk industry in England that the King interested himself in what was in Stuart times waste land. In 1632 Gie garden was turned into a place of amusement frequented by the fashionable world, and known as Mulberry Garden. In 1674 the gardens were closed, and the site left unoccupied until 1702, when the then Duke of Buckingham laid the foundations of what was afterwards known as Buckingham House. On the death of the Duke, George 11. was anxious to purchase the buildings and grounds, but, owing no doubt to the high price asked, the negotiations fell through However that may be, in the following reign it was bought by the King for £28,000, and settled by

His Majesty on Queen Charlotte. Henceforth it was known as the “ Queen’s House.” When George IV. ascended the throne extensive alterations were commenced, and Buckingham House began to assume much the same appearance as it presents today. It was not, however, until William IV. became King that the alterations were finally completed. , On the accession of Queen Victoria, Buckingham Palace was greatly improved. An unsightly central dome was removed, and many rooms added. Later on an east front was erected at a cost of £150,000, and what was formerly a conservatory was converted into a chapel. The gardens, laid out by Jenkins, cover an area of 40 acres, part of which is occupied by a lake.