VICE-REGAL GARDEN PARTY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 95, 23 April 1928, Page 11

VICE-REGAL GARDEN PARTY.

The beautiful grounds at Government House presented a bright scene on Saturday afternoon, when their Excellencies the Governor-General and Lady Alice Fergusson held a huge garden party. The guests included local members of Parliament, civic representatives, and representatives of the various industries of Auckland, with their wives.

As the guests arrived, they assembled on the lawn, where they were received on the terrace by their Excellencies accompanied by the Mayor (Mr. George Baildon) and the Mayoress (Mrs. A. D. Campbell) and the town clerk (Mr. J. S. Brigham) and Mrs. Brigham. In a short speech of welcome, his Excellency invited those present to wander through the grounds and make themselves at home in the house.

Although the weather had been uncertain, it cleared sufficiently for the guests to walk through the gardens. Masses of brightly-coloured chrysanthemums and tall splashes of crimson cannas stood out in bold relief against the green sward, and very beautiful were the oak and other trees that spread their shade on the lawns.

After shaking hands with their Excellencies, the guests passed into the house. The lounge was beautifully arranged with bowls of chrysanthemums, and in the drawing room dahlias in tall silver vases made artistic decoration. The gold plate, crystal and china were on view in the dining room, and upstairs the suite of rooms occupied by their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York when they visited Auckland attracted much attention.

In the ballroom, where tea was served, there were hugbe clusters of greenery interspersed • with potted plants. Tea was on one of the veranhads which was enclosed by canvas, and also on a marquee on the lawn. Whilst-tea was being served, strains from the Garrison Artillery Band wafted through the trees from the lawn in a most pleasing way.

The frocking of the guests consisted of smart tailored sluts and furs, which in accordance with the weather was most suitable.

Her Excellency Lady Alice Fergusson wore a frock of floral georgette patterned in rose and 'beige, with vest of soft beige georgette. The crown of her large-brimmed black hat was relieved with touches of ecru lace. Lady Fergusson, wife of Admiral Sir James Fergusson. who was included in the house party, wore a frock of amethyst crepe de chine with a black hat; Miss Susan Fergusson was in an almond green jumper suit, and felt hat to match; Mrs. Hunter Blair, patterned frock of black and white and black hat; Miss Dugdale, frock of black crepe de chine and black hat; Mrs. A. C. Day wore black satin with a dark red velvet hat; Mrs. A. D. Capipbell (Mayoress) was in a mulberry coloured tailleur and hat to match; and Mrs. J. S. Brigham wore black georgette with small black hat.