INFORMAL PRESENTATIONS.

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 57, 4 September 1926, Page 17

INFORMAL PRESENTATIONS.

When the Boyal Party began to move across to the guests, one of the military bands—there were two playing in . the grounds all the afternoon— struck up the National Anthem. As soon as this was over, real progress was made. The King went in ono direction, the Queen in another, having with her for a considerable timo the Duke and Duchess of York. Subsequently, however, the Duke and Duchess held little courts of their own, greeting many friends. The happy procedure which originated two years ago is still in force. To the entourage of the King and Queen respectively is attached a representative of the Dominion High Commissioners, whose mission it is to discover the pcopla from his own particular part of the Empire and bring them up to be presented personally to the King or Queen, as the case may be. Yesterday Mr. H. T. B. Drew was ; for this purpose, attached to the staff who accompanied the Queen, and Mr. J. S. Hunter was attached in r^nilar capacity to the entourage of the King. Thus, for more than an hour each of Their Majesties is holding a series of informal courts, chatting to those presented, whose names, country of origin, and interests are mentioned. All this makes it so much moro pleasant alike for host and guest, and tho King or Queen at once can open conversation with a subject of mutual interest. The King devoted a considerable timo to the representatives of the forty high school teachers from New Brunswick, now on a visit to Great Britain. Their Majesties, immediately after they had emerged from tho Eoyal apartments, sent for Lady Beaver- i brook, who presented first Mr. Justice Crocket, of tho Supremo Court of New Brunswick, and Mrs. Crocket, and then Dr. Philip Cox, of tho University of New Brunswick, and Mrs. Cox. The King and Queen talked with them, asked about their voyage across the Atlantic and their week's tour of Scot^ land, and warmly welcomed them to" England. Their Majesties listened with interest to Dr. Cox, who explained briefly tho educational system in New Brunswick. Aftor taking leavo of the King and Queen tho New Brunswick

guests were introduced to Mr. and Mrs. Kipling, who remained for half an hour in conversation with them. Each stage of progress was watched by crowds of interested guests, everyone of whom wished he (or she) knew the identity of everyone else. Tho Earl of Cromer, who had charge of the King's circle, had an exacting afternoon. He had to remember everybody—those who had been told beforehand that they were to be presented, those whose faces ho remembered in tho crowd and beckoned forward, those who pressed themselves to the fore for tho coveted honour of meeting the First Gentleman of the World. Prebendary Carlile (Head of the Church Army) was followed by Captain Towse, the blind V.C.; he by Dame Madge Grimston—better identified perhaps as Mrs. Kendal—a graceful lady, in cream with her favourite pansy bonnet, flat in shape; then Miss Sybil Thorndike (who was told by the King that she was working too hard), next Dame Clara Butt was signalled out to come forward. Dame Clara Butt also was with the Queen for some moments. Among the New Zealand visitors who had the opportunity of a short talk with either the King or the Queen were Mr. lorns, Miss lorns, Mr. and Mrs. Stronach Paterson, Mr. and Mrs. Vivian

Eiddiford, Miss Hialop, Mr. and Mrs. G. Gould, Miss Gould, Mr. and Mrs. M. Myers, Mrs. Hector Eolleston, Miss Enid Bell, and Miss 'Wall, and no doubt there were a number moro.

While all these Eoyal greetings were taking place on one part of the lawns, thousands of other guests were enjoying the refreshments which were arranged on a liberal scale under a long marquee, and served with marked expedition. Soon after 5 o'clock the Eoyal Family arrived at their own. tea marquee, and alongside was the marquee reserved for members of the Diplomatic Corps. Among those to be seen here were Baron Hayashi, the Belgian Ambassador, the Egyptian Minister, Vicomte and Vicomtesse de La Panouse, and the Libefian Minister and Mme. Dresselbuys.