ROYAL GARDEN PARTY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 457, 12 September 1928, Page 4

ROYAL GARDEN PARTY

THEIR MAJESTIES’ “AT HOME” | NEW ZEALANDER’S IMPRESSIONS Their Majesties are At Home to their subjects from all parts of the Empire. And what a scene it is. Outside are crowds intent on patching the arrival of the guests—Londoners love a dress parade I And the gorgeous weather and the beautiful grounds—so extensive that there could be no feeling of crowding in spite of the 6,000 present—provide just the right setting for the picture, writes “A New Zealander” in “The New Zealand News.” At 4 o’clock all eyes were turned to the side entrance of the Palace, I when the 1 loyal party emerged. First the King and Queen —the King in grey morning-dress, the Queen exquisitely gowned in egg shell blue, her parasol and soft feather toque to match, with shoes and stockings of silver. Then came Princess Mary in floral ninon and fuchsia hat and parasol; the Luke and Duchess of York, the Duchess in soft pink georgette, with a most becoming shady hat of pink straw and a pink parasol. All eyes watch their progress to the edge of the lawn; then “God Save the King,” everyone standing to attention. Then the members of the party scattered—the King with his equerry passed so near to us we could have touched him. Then we turned in another direction, and there was the Queen, the serenity and charm of her personality radiating from her. Later, near the lake, we came upon the Duke and Duchess of York holding a little informal reception under the trees, and we saw our own* High Commissioner presenting Miss Betty Parr and other New 'Zealanders. Then we strolled toward the tea tent, noting various celebrities as we walked—Dame Madge Kendal in her quaint Victorian bonnet, Lady Tree, Lady Alexander and many others. And the two bands played as we ate our raspberries and cream and drank our tea, and gazed upon the ever-moving colourful scene. THE DRAWING-ROOM • Then we entered the beautiful drawing-room of the Palace, so cool after .the sunshine outside, and gazed upon the portraits of rulers of long ago. When we- came out the wonderful scene on the lawns made us almost gasp, so beautiful was it. The gay awning of the Royal. party’s tea tent in the background set off the delicacy of the women’s gowns, while the hundreds of sunshades of all colours passing up and down gave one almost the illusion of a rainbow. - Next we saw the High Commissioners of the different- Dominions present prominent people, from their own countries to their Majesties. Most picturesque of all were the beautifully robed Indians in their Eastern dress—indeed, the number of richly gowned Indian women at the party was quite remarkable. At last, at half past six, it is all over. Their Majesties again pass close to us through a lane of people. , The band plays again “God Save the King.” The guests depart, reluctant to leave the enchanted garden. CHIC NAIVETE IN FRENCH FROCKS “MR. WHAT’S HIS NAME" AND HIS GIRL FRIENDS The gowns worn by the feminine members of the caste of “Mr. What’s His Name,” which was presented at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening, were intriguing in their deftly-achieved simplicity of appearance. Miss Stella Francis, as the muclimarried wife of Mr. Hutchison and others, wore a delightful ensemble of apricot mariette on her first appearance, with a piquant hat of matching shade and satin shoes to tone. Collared and cuffed with deep beige fox fur, her coat was worn over a dainty little sleeveless gown of mariette, made with a simulated bolero effect and girdled with golden beads, which drooped in a deep tassel to the hem of the frock. Miss Frances Dillon, anotlire of Mr. Hutchison’s temporary wives, appeared in an insouciant ensemble of black crepe satin. A frock of the black material was given chic by a deep cascading ruffle at one side of terracotta georgette, and the cape-like coat was lined and relieved on the long scarf with georgette of the same shade. A pertly-upturned hat of black was worn, and was made smarter with a brilliant buckle at one side. Miss Joan Rogers, as Sylvaine Jaimet, an affectionate young thing, who was nobody’s wife, wore a charming toilette of jade green satin, with shoes of the same tone and a decidedly smart hat of silver and jade. Among the audience at the opening of this amusing play were Mr. and Mrs. A. N. Nathan, Mr. and Mrs. Hayman, Mr. and Mrs. T, Low, Mr. and Mrs. Webber, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Brett, Mr. and Mrs. Ba.nkart, Mrs. Atknison, Mr. and Mrs. L. Williams, Mrs. U. Hale, Mrs. Hewitt, Mrs. Clayton, Mrs. Myers, Mr. and Mrs. Carr, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, Miss D. Farquhar, Miss Beech Hardie Neil, Miss Frater, Miss Watson, Miss Baker, Miss Goldie, and many others. WOMEN’S CLUB MEETS LECTURE ON DEBATING There was a good attendance of members when the Greenhithc Women’s Institute its monthly meeting yesterday afternoon. Mr. Norman Hunter gave an interesting address on “Chairmanship and the Rules of Debate.” This was afterwards illustrated by three short debates, the speakers in which were Mrs. Coulam and Miss Peachey, Mrs. Black and Miss Porter, and Mrs Irwin and Mrs. Blakeway. Most of these were first attempts, and Mr. Hunter said he was pleased at the success of the speakers. A vote of thanks was passed to the lecturer.