QUEEN OF BIRKENHEAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 281, 27 November 1929, Page 11

QUEEN OF BIRKENHEAD.

A COLOURFUL PAGEANT.

The fire brigade carnival was brought to a close last evening at Birkenliead, by the crowning of Miss Gertrude Utting as ■•Queen of the Kingdom of Birkenliead and its dependencies." The ceremonial was a brilliant and colourful pageant, and in magnificence outstripped anything yet presented at Birkenliead. The Foresters' "Hall was unable to accommodate the large number desiring admission, and many had to be turned away. Presentations were made to the four princesses, Miss G. Utting, Miss Leila McPhail, Mrs. Roberta Godfrey, and Miss Dorothy Casey, in appreciation of their services as the respective queens representing the Business Interests, the Friendly Societies, the Labour Party, and the Birkdale district. The bouquets presented after the coronation were legion. The costumes of the various ladies were: "Queen of Birkenliead," Miss

Gertrude Utting, white crepe de chine, uneven hemline of frills. Ladies-in-Waithig, blisses V. Town, V. Moody, G. Revell, and R. Taylor, primrose crepe de chine. Pages: Gladys Dunkley, Roberta. Irvine, Florence Goulden, and Audrey McKinstrey, red satin. Mistress of. . Robes: Miss G. Cook, pink taffeta crinoline, with sequins and diamante trimming. Queen's champion: Miss Dorothy Mills, red and gold. Court dancer: Miss Dorrie McPhail, white satin. Jewel bearer: Miss Joan Hark hi. "Princess Leila," Miss L. McPhail. white satin and silver tissue. Ladies-in-Waiting: Misses K. Donahoe and G. Beery, apple green georgette, h'andkerchief skirts. Pages: Jessie Pugh and Maud Huddlestone, apple green satin. "Princess Roberta," Mrs. Godfrey, French frilled ivory crepe de chine, silver bodice, with train. Ladies-in-waiting: Misses Z. Mentzer and L. Pugh, mauve crepe de chine, ankle length peaks, trimmed silver braid. Pages: Audrey Mack and Jean Pugh. mauve satin suits, trimmed silver braid and buttons. "Princess Dorothy," Miss D. Casey, white satin and silver lace, with uneven hem. Ladies-in-Waiting: Miss P. Le Clerc and i

Miss IS r . Stokes, pink taffeta with silver lace and uneven hem. Pages: Lilian Dunkley and Violet Jones, in pink satin. Dressers: Mrs. Hilton, black satin; Mrs. A. Mack, beige llomanette, Vandyke pintucked bodice, flared lace overskirt, forming points; Mrs. Schorman, blue crepe de chine.

The ceremony was produced under the direction of Mrs. B. Mayall, of Northcote, who wore apple green georgette. Miss E. Beery, choir soloist, wore blue georgette and lace; and Miss M. Hewson, official accompanist, blue georgette.

An excellent programme of concert items was contributed prior to the coronation. Songs by Miss M. Cofield, Miss E. Duffit, Mr. Ernest Snell, and Master Desmond Casey, and elocutionary items by Miss M. Clouston, xvpre greatly enjoyed, while Mr. Alan McElwain kept the audience in merry mood with various humorous recitals. The choir was under Mr. J. Wright. Though numerous requests have been made that the coronation pageant should be repeated at Birkenhead, it is most improbable that this can be done, but the spectacular ceremony and a similar concert programme will be repeated at Xorthcote in the fine Palais Theatre to-morrow evening. This will conclude the public effort of raising: funds to equip the tire brigade for Birkenhead, which will Lie formed at an early date. The actual amount available will then be arrived at.