ROYAL ASCOT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 185, 6 August 1932, Page 4 (Supplement)

ROYAL ASCOT.

WORLDS MAY CRUMBLE.

RACES GO ON. (By NELLE M. SCANLAN.) Climate is probably the only subject that has escaped the Conference mania. No political gathering has yet been called to discuss it, and decide whose fault it is that the seasons will not conform to the poet's ideal. "Oh to be in England now that April's here!" recently provoked the retort, "It's always here." I am waiting for the record to be officially announced, but you will find that not within the memory of living man has there been such magnificent sunshine for Ascot. Four perfectly heavenly summer days, the brilliant sun tempered by a faint breeze that fluttered the lace and chiffon. And all this despite the fact that no Royal Commission or political conference has sat upon the subject. Marvellous! This show of independence lias greatly increased respect for the English climate. Seasons are closely connected with finance. One might even say that last autumn's tragedy, when England slipped off tlio gold standard, was partly the result of the wet summer. Everything was slippery, and the poor pound was not the only thing that fell. Mr. Ramsay Mt.eDonald is at Lausanne. As the Gold Cup was being run at Ascot, the Prime Minister told a Conference of Nations that the "world was crumbling at our feet," and we had to do something, about it. But thousands who cheered the winner past the post in that paradise of sport, were not bothering about a crumbling world while the Turf was firm under their feet. His solemn warning, uttered amidst the Swiss mountains, was, for the moment, drowned as those gaily dressed thousands urged a racehorse to victory. And who will blame them? "Carry on!" That is the spirit of the country. Business as usual. The pessimist talks of the money squandered in this orgy of dress and show. Better that, than to keep tlie money tied up. Think of the thousands it kept employed to weave and sew and manufacture and sell and transport and feed on this occasion.

Ascot TraditionAscot is hedged about by traditions that have accumulated since the late lamented Queen Anne founded the race meeting. To many, tho horses are merely a side-line. Women in the Royal enclosure may not put money cn with tho bookies themselves. Their escorts spend a busy day running back and forth with betting cards, a special facility to make losing money easy. It is isaid that this is the most beautiful racecourse in the world. I believe it is. If you could see it on a summer day, when the season's most elaborate dresses, and England's most distinguished people and their guests, walk the perfect lawn.-, amidst a blaze of flowers; when the King and Queen and the Royal family and their guests from Windsor Castle drive in state in open carriages, with outriders and postillions, you would captuve something of the glory that justifies the claim. Tho hydrangeas that banked tin Royal box were superb.

Special Gowns. To each day has been assigned a special type of dress. In the old prosperous days—no, not gone for ever, but temporarily eclipsed—it was recognised that you wore a simple smart gown the first day, the second brought out light tailored materials, more appropriate for hunt meetings. The third day i& Gold Cup and Ladies' Day, when it breaks out into a riot of summery lace and chiffon. Tho fourth day saw a return to more restrained models. Too often th» only fine Ascot day was the day allotted to tweed. The sun chose on the tailored day to swelter them, and they froze cr were drowned on chiffon day. This year economy has restricted women's outlay. Many had confined themselves to one Ascot gown. When the first day was fine, they defied tradition and wore it. When the second day was even hotter they wore it again. But when the four days wero simply perfect and showed what England can do when she really trie.fi, it began to get monotonous, fco the depression and the climate between them broke down the old custom that so rigidly regulated what you should wear each day.

Fashions Publicity. But nothing could break the spirit of the brazen few who take advantage of Ascot to be noticed—or die. Permits for the Royal enclosure are a covcted privilege, and though many obtain them, application and investigation precede the issue. This year a woman arrived at Ascot in an absolutely backless Later a gentleman was informed that the lady he escorted was not suitably attired for the Eoyal enclosure. Waa there, perhaps, some connection between the two incidents? The Queen woie white the first day, pale blue the second and ivory lace and chiffon on Gold C ; ;p day, with a coat of pale gold. The Duke and Duchess of York have stolen a restful week's holiday with the children, instead of Ascot. It has been a 1 strenuous season for Royalty, and there is still much ahead. One remembers this Ascot as one in which blue, like a weilridden racehorse, has forged steadilj ahead and won on the post. There w«re many queer clothes. Toffee-stripes, diagonal stripes, lightning zig-zags ran the spotted variety of silks very close. Lace and floral chiffon were very much in evidence. The magpie effect, when smartly cut and worn, takes a lot of beating. All the blues were there, but mostly bright navy and sapphire, cle-in reds, vivid greens, and many people cliosi. plain pastel tones in silk. Hats! In the hat line originality had a gala day Huge, floppy hats, with ribbon bands, or wreathed with posies to little round pill-boxes; smart sailors with a wide petersham band, saucy little perked up straws, with a bash up here and a bow there, a bouquet or a bunch of cherries dangling. Have it your own way—only —no feathers.