Hostesses Declare War on “Crashers”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 420, 31 July 1928, Page 9

Hostesses Declare War on “Crashers”

Society Battle Causes Sensation UNINVITED GUESTS LONDON, July 22. London hostesses have declared war upon “gate-crashers” —uninvited guests, who gain admission to various social functions. Australia House has joined the issue, and intruders who wish to meet the Prince of Wales at tonight’s dance will be met with trump for trump. On the occasion of the dance at Australia House, to which 2,000 Australians in Lond o n, including the girl tennis players and the members of the Olympic team, were invited to meet the Prince of Wales, the High Commissioner, Sir Granville Ft y r i e, joined in the war which prominent London people, including many fashionable Mayfair hostesses, have initiated against “gate-crashers,” whose persistence in attending garden parties, after-dinner parties and dances, and the combined hostesses’ efforts to defeat them, have provided a social sensation. Gate-crashing is so prevalent that functions at several famous houses have been overcrowded, and the supply of refreshments inadequate. Several hostesses have taken a firm stand against what is regarded as an ill-mannered intrusion. Some requested the uninvited guests to leave immediately. Meanwhile, Australia House is taking special precautions. To-day officials rang up the invited guests, asking whether they had obtained entreecards, and adding that the inquiry was made in order to prevent a sudden inrush of uninvited guests, who might be expected owing to the Prince’s visit.