DALE AUSTIN WINS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 175, 14 October 1927, Page 1

DALE AUSTIN WINS

“Miss New Zealand 1927”

BILLIE ANDREASSON THIRD

Wellington Girl In Second Place

MISS DALE AUSTIN to-day exchanged her title of “Miss Otago” for that of “Miss New Zealand 1927.” Not that the pretty southern girl is unfaithful, to her first love. Far from it. Her first thought this morning, on receiving the news of her success, was for the Dunedin friends who had supported her so enthusiastically. Miss Haisel Spiers, Wellington’s choice, was second. 'Though Miss Billie Andreasson (“Miss Auckland”) made a valiant fight in the final, there was too much lee-way to make up. The northern girl was placed third.

result, of the poll was:—

Miss Dale Austin (“Miss Otago”) 1 Mis? Hazel Spiers ("Miss Wellington”) .. .. 2 Miss Billie Andreasson ("Miss Auckland”) 3 Miss Vera Hodge (Maid of Honour to ‘ Miss Otago”) 4 Miss Leon McCall (“Miss Canterbury") 5 Miaa Mildred Graham (Maid of Honour to “Miss Auckland”) 6 Mias Pat Smidt (Maid of Honour to Miss Wellington”) .. .. 7 Miss Morale Cameron (Maid of Honour to “Miss Southland”) . 8 Miss Winnie Tonkinson (“Miss Southland”) 9 Mies Jane Kinsey (Maid of Honour to “Misti Canterbury”) .. 10 Dale Austin had a clear majority of 7,323 votes. Only 549 votes separated the second and third girls. All will admit that New Zealand’s selection has been a wise one. ACCEPTS WIN MODESTLY Dale Austin is slim, fair, and beautiful to look upon. Clad in a powderblue frock with a small tlght-fltting hat to match, “Miss New Zealand, 1927,” received her first congratulations at THE SUN this morning. Until she entered the building she was quite unaware that she had been chosen by popular vote to represent her Dominion at Hollywood. She accepte4 her win with modesty, despite her suppressed excitement. Just a natural little girl, rather overwhelmed by the honour bestowed upon her. “I really do not know what to say,” she confessed, “except that I am very excited, and oh! so very happy. It all seems too wonderful.” "Miss New Zealand 1927” admitted that she would regret parting with her sister finalists. “We have been such a happy little band. It has seemed more like a holiday for all of us," she added. “Our respective positions on the poll have not made the slightest difference. All that I am sorry for is that the other girls cannot come to America with me.” Dale Austin celebrated her seventeenth birthday at Hastings during the tour. She is Billie Andres.sson’s senior by precisely three weeks, and is therefore the youngest but one In the party. Educated at St Dominic’s College, at Dunedin, she has also had training in elocution and singing. It was Dale’s intention to teach elocution in her native city. The call of the moving shadow show, however, is imperative.

It is “Miss New Zealand’s” intention to make a 'number of personal appearances in the different centres prior to her departure for the United States. The Otago girl will appear in an act which she is already planning. It is possible that she will call upon Shakespeare for inspiration. Dale is fully conversant with the majority of the bard’s principal feminine characters.

It is rather singular that on this occasion she should turn the tables on Auckland’s favourite. Billie Andreasson was the winner of the First National contest with Dale Austin in second place. Now, Dale wins the “Miss New Zealand 1927” event, the greatest competition of its kind ever held in this country, and Billie is in third place. While abroad “Miss New Zealand” will wear a ring, the five stones of which represent the New Zealand provinces. It is the gift of Mr. Henry Hayward. Nepr Zealand’s sweetheart must not forget that she is the fiancee of her country. “As a matter of fact I realise quite well that being ‘Miss New Zealand’ is hot ail fun. It will mean hard work. I feel that I have the key to Holly-

wood in my hand. What I want to do is to lock it on the inside. I shall do my best. I feel that lam going to America with exceptional advantages, and that a great responsibility is upon my shoulders.”

CROWNING TO-NIGHT The Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, will decorate “Miss New Zealand” to-night at the Regent and Strand Theatres. Nearly a-quarter of a million theatregoers in all parts of the country decided in favour of Dale Austin. The “Miss New Zealand, 1927” contest was originally suggested by Mr. Henry Hayward, of the Fuller-Hay-ward Theatres. He enlisted the assistance of THE SUN and other newspapers, the J. C. Williamson theatres, and the Metro-G oldwyn-Mayer Film Corporation, to arrange for the selection of a New Zealand girl who should be given an opportunity to become a film star in America. The competition was run on a democratic basis, Mr. Hayward being of the opinion that the general public was a better judge than any individual. Among the 2,000 girls who entered, Dale Austin was selected “Miss Otago” after seven weeks’ voting. “Now she has s. difficult task before her,” said Mr. Hayward. “The doors of the Metro-Golldwyn-Mayer studios are open to her, but she must rely on her own ability and perseverance to rise to a stellar position. She will have to work hard and devote herself to study. Her future depends on her self.” A definite contract at £25 a week for the making of at least one picture has been promised "Miss New Zealand 1927.” All expenses for herself and a chaperone to Hollywood will be paid, and slle will be given £l5O for her trousseau as well as £IOO pocket money. LEAVING FOR AMERICA. “Miss New Zealand” will appear at Auckland theatres for a week before she returns to the reception awaiting her in her home city. She will probably leave for America about Christmas time, and start work at the end of January. There will be a reception to “Miss New Zealand” and the finalists at the Movie Ball in the Town Hall on Tuesday night. “I am very pleased that Miss Dale Austin has received the title,” said Mr. Hayward “She will make a good and charming representative of our little country in America. I have event hope that this may be the beginning of a prosperous career.” ic -f: rt- m r£ rc Sir -I- -I- -I- a: