"THE ONLY LADY"

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 318, 31 March 1928, Page 12

"THE ONLY LADY"

TOAST BY THE PRINCE ROYALTY AT FARMERS’ DINNB The Prince of Wales, aceompajutt by the Duke of York and Prince Hear* was host at a memorable gathertnt of nearly 1,000 farmers and hnntaj men in the De Montfort Hall, Letc* I ter. A jollier, more typically EagiM - function it would he hard to concern < True to the best traditions of theluicyon days of the squires, vetent labourers were included, and then was one, Mr. J. Adkins, of Grw Easton, who has been 61 years onth same farm. Also in this great company of me; was one very popular woman, IHk Ethel James, the secretary of tb Leicestershire Farmers’ Union. The menu was of good old Engiirii fare; indeed, a Christmas dinner, it f was; Ox tail soup. Steamed sole and lobster sauce. Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. * Baked potatoes, vegetables. Roast turkey, sausage, bread sauce, aad g potato puree. Christmas pudding. Biscuits and cheese. The toasts were four only, ita fp Prince giving the health of the Kin g , and the Farmers. To the latter toast two leadist Leicestershire farmers, Mr. E. Jane? ; and Mr. H. T. Hincks, who sat ok on each side of their host, replied. j When soon after half-past six the first guests arrived, the scene in the V great hall was one of almost dazxlnf colour, with tnousands of goldes r chrysanthemums. Places were set for the Duke oi | York and Prince Henry among 6* | leading farmers to right and left i the Prince. The Prince had immediately in In® of him the six old labourers and the huntsmen of the packs with which he enjoys the sport. The Prince received his guests 3 ' the entrance, where he: shook hand" with aH. He was particularly eot dial to the veteran labourers. Proposing “Farmers,” the Print* said tha t he was going to suggest to them a couple of New Year reset tions. New Year resolutions did w harm to anybody, “and,” he added “they are much easier to break Out some of your new rails.” “The first resolution is suggested h: the word ‘newt’ “Do not think I am trying to te«* my grandmother to suck eggs, hut hope you will not reject anything »«’ without a thorough investigation, ; The second resolution is suggeS* 4 |g by the word “industry.” AgriCiijMJ * is an industry, and we regret that is not as prosperous just now a* Jr was even w ithin the memory of ms® j here to-night. There are many r® t sons for this depression. I -a?*® j help thinking that one of the S important is that agriculture isrttw glooked upon as being in a water-op-compartment. If it is to pay, it**" .*• work in more with other indunu* » and adapt itself to new conditiMk He declared that farming and < hunting are close friends, and _ more farmers hunt the better it* | the sport. “We love to see , farmers out,’’ he said. “I can d* l ™* , no more inspiring sight than t° ** - * P farmer riding over his own Wa®*’ (Doud laughter.) „. Later the Prince said: “Th*® „ ing would have been impossm*® , for the help of the very chaniuns, efficient secretary of the risu j Farmers' Union in give you the health of .'Das j the only lady present to-night- . was received with the greater I thusiasm, the farmers singlOS I She's a Jolly Good Fellow'. -prsedi The great gathering then uf suit-1 and Leicester strets rang B ing cries for some time afterwanw