LONDON SOCIETY PEST.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 161, 9 July 1926, Page 5

LONDON SOCIETY PEST.

THE UNINVITED GUEST.

HOSTESSES TURN AT LAST.

A sort of "secret service , ' has been formed among leading London hostesses for the detection of a society pest—the Uninvited Guest. He, and she—for both sexes are under suspicion in this case —are always welldressed and amiable. They have charming manners, and he is always young and good looking. Frequently they are relatively harmless; nothing more than the possessors of an insatiable curiosity and desire to mix with the great of the land. Sometimes, however, Mr., Mrs. or Miss U. G. are clever crooks, or the agents of crooks taking stock of the architectural and other arrangements of great houses deemed suitable for burglarious entry at some later date. For years it has been almost impossible to exclude or detect the uninvited guest at big fashionable gatherings. Many of the legitimate guests forget to bring their cards of invitation and it is often impossible for the hostess to remember offhand just whom she has invited. The uninvited guest enters with easy nonchalance, hands his or her outer wraps to the busy footman, and saunters on, presumably to make the customary bow to the hostess. The New Rule. Now Lady So-and.-So has got tired of "entertaining" strangers, whether they are innocent or criminally inclined. Cards absolutely must be produced, is the rule now at all big functions. Mrs. Baldwin, wife of the Premier, was among the first to take drastic steps in this matter. Recently for a big reception at No. 10, Downing Street, she announced that only those who replied to her invitation would be admitted, and lists were handed to the footmen on duty to see that only those properly checked off secured admission. Other hostesses have adopted the list system, and the guests are ticked off as they enter. The uninvited guest presenting himself at these portals is gently turned into the street, after due note has been taken of his appearance, and anything he may have to say for himself. The services of the police are not called in if the uninvited one goes quietly.