PILFERERS AT PRIVATE PARTIES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 418, 1 September 1928, Page 26

PILFERERS AT PRIVATE PARTIES

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OT only is “gate crashing”—the “visits of uninvited guests—leading to feuds between noble houses, but it is making easy the path of adven-

turers and pilferers. Lord Strathspey, the New Zealandborn peer, who is the chief of the Clan Grant and has had a good deal of experience of private and public entertainments in London and in the Dominions, discussed this aspect of the problem recently with the “Evening News.” “It is quite evident,” he said, “that there has been a great increase in this 'gate-crashing,’ and that among the people who are visiting West End parties in this way are some who are not. above suspicion. “I can give instances of actual losses that guests

have suffered. Some weeks ago, when Lady Strathspey was at a function at a house in Eaton Square, she placed her Egyptian handbag on a table where there were two or three other bags. “ Some minutes later, when she turned round, it

had gone. The hag contained money and other things. She spoke to the hostess about it afterwards, and received the reply, ‘You are the second of my guests who has lost a handbag to-night.’ “On July 11, my daughter Joan lost her handbag containing a gold wristlet watch, at a private dance in a very similar way. “We are very anxious to recover it, and I am issuing an appeal to the person who took it to return it to us at Pembridge Square. “There were probably 200 people present on that occasion, and I was told a number had come uninvited. The bag was taken while my daughter was dancing, about 12.30 a.m. “I have heard that there have been losses of the same sort at other parties this season. Worse Than Ever “It is my opinion that ‘gate-crash-ing’ is getting worse, and it is particularly prevalent at functions held in clubs and hotels. “My wife attended a big private reception in one of the clubs this year where the guests invited numbered 100. "About 200 were actually present and the supplies of refreshments proved totally inadequate. “One is constantly hearing the complaint at social gatherings that uninvited guests are present, and it is time something was done to check this practice. “There will always be trouble in this matter while hostesses send out indefinite invitations marked ‘aud partner’ or ‘and friend.’ “We had nothing of the sort in New Zealand, and there the trouble of the uninvited guest did not exist.”