VICE-REGAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 235, 3 October 1936, Page 17

VICE-REGAL.

. M . A BRILLIANT RECEPTION. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DELEGATES.. Their Excellencies the GovernorGeneral and Viscountess Gal way gave a reception on' Thursday night at Government' House, Wellington, in honour of the Empire Chambers of Commerce Congress. Several hundred guests were present, including the overseas and New Zealand delegates, members of the Wellington-Chamber of Commerce, the Consular Corps, Trade Commissioners and members of the visiting air delegation. Government House was looking particularly attractive, the floral decorations being more beautiful than ever. In the drawing room, where the guests were received, were bowls and vases of white lilies, deep pink azaleas, and tulip!) of every colour, with here and there a vase of white ..broom. In the main hall,. the centre of attraction, in addition to the many beautiful oil paintings, was a stand of pots of vivid azaleas, delicately-tinted schizanthus and giant asparagus fern, the whole • being dominated by the 'blooms of red and white striped Inppeasthrums. Silver and crystal candelabra., placed at each end of the stand, added to its charm. In the various rooms opening off the hall were masses of white broom, deep purple irises and more azaleas, while on tables in the closed-in verandahs, which had been fitted up as comfortable lounges, were bowls of " vari-coloured ranunculi. The conservatory, with its palms, its cinerarias, azaleas, strelitzia and beautiful cultivated birch attracted much attention. A buffet supper was served in the main ballroom and in the billiard and dining rooms, where the long tables were ■ decorated with bowls of ranunculi, with silver candelabra standing at intervals. Liveried attendants 'saw that the guests wanted for nothing. The guests were announced by Major Purvis and presented to their Excellencies, who stood at one end of the drawing room. Behind them stood Viscount Elibank, president of the Federation of Associated Chambers of Commerce, an I Viscountess JEhUank; Mr. C. J. B. Norwood, president of the ' Wellington chamber, and Mrs. Norwood; the Hon. R. Semple and Mrs. Semple, the Hon. W. Nash and Mrs. Nash, the Hon. W. Lee Martin and Mrs. Lee Martin, and Mrs. Arthur Purvis. Her Excellency wore a trained frock of deep amethyst crinkle .crepe, with circular shoulder ornaments of diamonds, ■ and a girdle with diamond clasp. Her shoulder spray was of cyclamen, and she wore a diamond tiara and. a necklace of large links of diamonds. Lady Elibank's striking trained frock was of vividly patterned floral ripple silk, and she wore a' tiara of diamonds and pearls, a neck chain of diamonds and jade, and star-shaped earrings of diamonds. Mrs. Norwood was in royal blue.. ..silver-threaded matelasse with corsage spray of silver leaves. vsjMrs. | witli «equ ! m wimmin»s. Mm Kagh wasyi£, black mariejtte with diamante ffUij&s, 'and'/Mrs;' Lee , Martin was in "lila'ck Velvet with shoulder spray of pink flowers. .. Also present were Sir Thomas WilM ford, ' chairman of the Council of i.. .Federated Chambers, and Lady Wilford, the latter wearing a trained frock of grey georgette with rhinestone ; 'trimmings; Mr. Francis, chairman of the Associated Chambers of Commerce; of New Zealand, and' Mrs. Francis, the latter in a trained gown of plum ring velvet, with large diamond ornament; Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, Mayor of Wellington. The guests after they had been presented wandered, among the various rooms, and had the opportunity of meeting many of the visiting delegates. 'The beautiful flowers and the painting came in for much admiration, as did also his Excellency's collection of miniatures. A? string quartet in the ballroom played appropriate selections during the evening.. t , Helping the aide-de-camps were Captain Li Vaughart Morgan, Wing-Com-mander T. jM. Wilkes (who was accompanied by >Mrs. Wilkes), Colonel 1.. T. Standish (who was accompanied by Mrs. Standish), Major ■ Edney (who' Was accompanied by Mrs. Edney), Colonel O, H. Mead (who was accompanied by Mrs. Mead), and Captain R. D. Oliver (who was accompanied by Mrs. Oliver). The ballroom and the hall presented a most vivid sight during the evening, for the frocking of. the women present was exceptionally" colourful, the present vogue for bright colours and bold floral designs being taken full advantage of. Further brightness was added by the sparkle of jewels and the many lovely shoulder sprays worn.