GROCERS' GOLD PLATE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 177, 28 July 1928, Page 10

GROCERS' GOLD PLATE.

DAZZLING SCENE FOR THE PRINCE. SMLV OF THE CAMEL. A brilliant scene awaited the Prince of Wales when he dined at Grocers' Hall, Princes Street, E.C., with members of the Company, who were celebrating the 500 th anniversary of their first charter. Wearing their fur-topped gowns, the Muster, ( olonel F. YV. Heath, and other officers received the Prince, who is a Freeman of the Company, in the great draw-ing-room. This was bedecked with lilies and pink carnations. Dinner wa- announced by the turning of a ship'-; wheel, which struck a 15thci nl m y hell taken from a denioli-hed c:ty church. The oak-|unelled ba liquet - i111 >• hall was a da/./.ling si<rht, with gold and silver plate in profusion', including ten gold loving cups. The First Grocer.

The tallies, at which muiic 2.'!0 meinl.e;> of the Comnany and their friends s;.t, were decorated with roses. Among the silver plate on the tables were the "igantio piece-, showing a cainel, carrying jH'rhaps the first of all grocers with !>i- spicks across the desert. All the redleather hacked chair- had also t lie sign ol Ihe camel in gold. In t in* oaken vallcrv ihe strinT band of the Koval Art il lew plaved durinff the cical. As ;ij all the Comnany livery dinvrs. there were barons of beef while tic wines came from the Company's own ccl'ai's. . St chcs were made by the I'rinee, Uic Master, and others. The Pepperers. Members recalled that in 1345 22 '•nennerers" of Sonera Lane (now Queen Street. EC.) founded the fraternitv which became the Grocers' Comnanv. V tl'e archives of the Companv have it. the oliiecf of th" "'".""rers ws "the better »■> li've, maintain and increase love and unitv anion"' them." At tin >r tir-t dinner "each naid 12 pence. and the whole was expended. and 2 : > pence b.l- - liy the wardens." I'areiits should sivi; money by linking bo\'- -;i;! . ovcrcoaJs. jerr-cys. shirts and hals al Fowhls" Sale, ending Saturdav. «A.J.. .