TOYS FOR BETTY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 342, 1 May 1928, Page 14

TOYS FOR BETTY

LITTLE DUCHESS GOES SHOPPING DUKE TESTS A PONY Although left at home, Princess Elizabeth was evidently much in the minds of the Duke and Duchess of York when they made a two hours’ tour of the White City section of the British Industries Fair. The Duchess made the subject her first little joke. At the Sierra Leone stall her eye lighted on a giant sized yard broom, about four feet wide. “I am afraid." she said, with a smile at the attendant, "this broom would be no good for my nursery.” And everybody laughed, including the Duke. One of the longest stops made in the tour, under strong police protection and a small bodyguard of servants in the Royal livery, was in the toy section. The Duchess was fascinated with so many pretty things, and in the end she, with the Duke's help, selected half a dozen toys for Princess Elizabeth. Duke Scores a “Bull” When in the toy section the Duke fired an electric rifle at a target and registered a “bull,” and was very proud of his performance. “Have another shot, sir,” pressed the inventor of the rifle. “No, no!” declared the Duchess, with lively animation, “he must rest on his laurels.” And, like a wise man, the Duke allowed himself to be led away by his wife. Toys bought by the Duke and Duchess included a 3ft high Shetland pony, a rag baby in long clothes and a rag pet dog called “Wobbly Wally,” described as “the mascot of the British Legion.” Wobbly Wally Bought While the “horse-dealer” was making the Shetland pony show its paces ion wheels) the Duke was rather worried about it. “Is it steady?” asked the Duke, and pressed the pony’s back several times with his hand. “You really think it safe for the Princess?” "Quite safe, sir,” declared the dealer, and with this assurance and a look and a pressure of the arm by the Duchess, the Shetland pony was pranced off to be taken to the Princess Elizabeth. Speaking at a banquet held in connection with the fair, the Duke said that the closing months of last year showed a cheering improvement in exn port trade, which there was every H good reason to hope will be main- ■ tained. _