A MAID IN MAYFAIR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 117, 20 May 1933, Page 3 (Supplement)

A MAID IN MAYFAIR.

GOSSIP FROM LONDON

economy in high places,

(From Our Loudon Lady Correspondent.)

TVliile all the members of the Royal Family are helping in every possible -ay the social inactions which aro being aliped for charitable and pliilanf," nfc institutions in London just now, it i" very noticeable that tlicy are tak- • little part in the ordinary social rf\ of Alavfair. At one time the Prince of Wales and Prince George 1,1 lm seen at a favourite dance club CoU i d t a smart restaurant in the West vri several nights in the week. The nL and Duchess of York, too, often inined Parties of friends for theatres l' d quiet supper parties afterwards. -rU are rarely prevailed upon, now, to 7ek relaxation in this way, and it is Understood by personal friends that tlie Prince of Wales particularly feels uncomfortable at the thought of this kind If entertainment while, as ho himself t- it "so many good fellows are up Gainst it, not only in the distressed but almost next door to one ill areas* jxjndon itself.

helping THE SHOPKEEPER. The official explanation for the holdjjrr of five courts during the coming London season covers only part of the wound There is no doubt, as officially Lasted, that there are nowadays more tieople eligible for presentation to-their Majesties than formerly. If the war's upheaval submerged some families, it »i-o brought many more into a higher g ocial category. But the main reason Trlif tvs are to have an extra court this summer is because their Majesties never lose a chance to help struggling tradesmen. A Koyal court means a great deal tn West End shopkeepers, as well a 6 to . number of other tradesmen, and it is"realised clearly enough at court that these are tragically bad times for. most of them. It is this habit of kindly forethought that makes Iving George gud Queen Mary so genuinely popular.

QUEEN MARY'S PHRASE. The Prince of Wales, who has been tolled the Empire's best commercial traveller, is not to have all the honours. Queen Mary is to be widely advertised as the coiner of a trade slogan. When Her Majesty went to inspect the beautiful display of British textiles at the Industries Fair, she exclaimed on seeing the colours, "Why, it's like a summer's day." The enterprising salesmen interested in textile business at once saw the potentialities of that tribute to their goods, and respectfully craved leave to use the phrase as a trade slogan. I understand that not only was Royal permission very graciously and readily given, but Her Majesty also consented to having her name associated Trith it. This must be unique in the annals of industrial enterprise. The Prince must look to his business laurels.

THE WRONG BOTTLE. The doctor in a certain little Hertfordshire village is busy with patients other than 'flu victims just now —and the trouble started in church. When the visiting padre went to administer Holy Communion in the tiny church, the jfine was duly poured into the goblet and lianded to* the communicants. Every one of them obediently drank a little— then began to look pale. Finally, they sought help from the doctor. The wine for communion is kept by the squire in a cupboard in his billiard room, and in the same cupboard reposed a bottle of polish for the billiard table —a noxious concoction of turpentine and sweet oil. [Who was responsible for the mistake in taking the polish to the church is a question that has yet to be thrashed out.

AS YOU ARE. Fashionable modistes are superior to ell accidents of climate. Thus, the fact that it took place on the iirst cold and frosty morning London awakened to, in 110 way disconcerted the West End salon that recently issued invitations to a spring dress parade. It was nice to sit there, clad in winter furs and warmed by hot radiators, and see in stately review all the bright new idea? for early summer frocks. Except thai, waist lilies are a little less rigid, and vary according to style of dress, if not human anatomy, things are to be very much as they now are. A positive murmur of relief and subdued joy went forth from the serried feminine array when quick eyes noted that there is to he 110 appreciable change in the length of skirts just yet awhile. Colours are varied, but mainly on the dark side. Nothing drastic need be, feared. In the summer of 1933 dress designers are going to give us fashions that are fit for ordinary suburban mortals, and not Biercly for film heroines to live in.

HOW QUEEN VICTORIA TRAVELLED. A remarkable railway souvenir is being transferred, for better keeping, from the L.M.S. depot of Wolverton to the Derby works. This is the special Royal coach in which Queen Victoria Was wont to make her long trek northWards from Windsor to Balmoral. It originally comprised two separate saloons, but in 1895, for more safe and convenient use, the connecting gangway Was abolished, and the two saloons knocked into one 00ft coach. The latter had two compartments, however, one for day use and the other for sleeping fit night, and a dressing room intervened. The coach was, at the Queen's particular request, equipped with both oil lamps and electric lighting. A fact which indicates how cautious the old Queen was in the matter of new ideas. Wen she travelled by rail she required assurance that, at regular intervals, the line was being well patrolled and hatched.

A CHARITY BALL. Debutantes are looking forward to their own particular charity ball —the June dance in honour of the birthday Queea Charlotte, founder of London's wggest maternity hospital, which proves much-needed funds for the hospital's work. It is one of the most picturesque dances of the London season, jipd the ceremony of cutting the Royal wthday cake—performed always by a direct descendant of the Queen —is a P'cturesque sight, fresh young debutantes in white dresses forming a guard of honour for the wielder of the cake knife. The other day cliaperones and ®'der sisters of the debutantes discussed the details of this year's dance —to be leld on June B—and it was decided that « should take placc in Lady Evelyn Mason's old house in Bruton Street and be made as much like a private party possible. All the best-known debutantes of the yoar have promised already to be in the guard of honour, and the concern now is to discover a descendant of Queen Charlotte who will cut the Pjrthday cake. Last year Prince George Officiated ia tliis capacity.