AFTERNOON RECEPTION

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 273, 17 November 1936, Page 13

AFTERNOON RECEPTION

AUSTRIAN ANNIVERSARY.

NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATED

A delightful reception took place in the Milne and Choyce reception hall yesterday afternoon, when, to celebrate the Austrian National Day, Mr. O. J. Ihcdens, Austrian Trade Commissioner, and Mrs. Thedens entertained a number of guests.

The Hon. H. G. R. Mason, AttorneyGeneral, was present as the representative of the Prime Minister. The Con-

sular Corps was well represented, and others present were the Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis, representatives'of Archbishop Averill and Bishop Lfeton and ■the divisional commander of the Salvation Army, Government departments, local bodies, the community and presidents of foreign clubs. Formality was given informality in the welcome extended by Mr. Thedens to his guests. It was an honour to his country and to himself, he said, that so many should have accepted his invitation to be present in the celebration of his country's national day. To him it gave great pleasure to return in that way something, of the hospitality that was continually being extended to him, originally a. foreigner, in New Zealand. The New Zealander, in his beautiful country, was hospitable for 364 days of the year—on this, the one day left, it was his privilege to return it as best he could. Mr. Thedens paid tribute to Mr. and Mrs. Priestman, who were leaving to reside in Sydney. Their absence from Auckland, he said, would be felt sadly by all of them. Mr. Priestman, he said, was "such a jolly chap," and. a gentleman, who would make friends wherever he went, and Mrs. Priestman's charming personality had endeared her to a wide circle of friends. At Mr. Thedens' invitation the guests stood during the playing of the British and Austrian National Anthems. The large room was arranged as a lounge, with comfortable chairs and couches and small tables. The floral decorations, besides being very lovely, were original. On either side of the stage were tall sheaves of Canadian corn as a compliment to Mr. and Mrs. Priestman, while on the tables were baskets of corn, among which were arranged poppies in red and white, Austria's national colours. During afternoon selections were played by a trio stationed on the stage. Among those present were: The Mayoress, Mrs. Ernest Davis, Lady Richardson, Lady Wilson, Mrs. Walter F. Boyle, Mrs. A. M. Ferguson, Mrs. George Hutchison, Mrs. C. M. Croft, Mrs. D. W. McLean, Mrs. Eliot Davis, Mrs. R. M. Algie, Mrs. Norman Heath, Mrs. H. K. Vickery, Mrs. W. A. Boucher, Mrs. McKenzie Wilson, Mrs. D. L. Nathan, Mrs. J. T. F. Mitchell, Mrs. Drummond Holderness, Mrs. J. A. Milne, Mrs H. O. Wiles, Mrs. S. A. Stride, Mrs. J. Seabrook, Mrs. M. Simich, Mrs. Allardyce, Mrs. F. J. Gwynne, Mrs. H. W. Shackelford, Mrs. V. J. Dick, Mrs. G.G. Bussell, Mrs. Kenneth Mackenzie, Mrs. Victor Mackv, Mrs. M. Copeland, Mrs. E. Ashby, MVs. T. W. M. Asliby, Mrs. Henry, Mrs Goldstein, Mrs. Noel Wallace Mrs. A. Bishop, Mrs. Athol Mills, Mrs.' E. W. Bowden, Mrs. Howard Hilliard, Mrs. "Kirk Jones, Mrs. H. G. R. Mason, Mrs E. Merz, Mrs. G. Nigio, Mrs. Till, Mrs. A. A. Storm, Mrs. F. Nag'el, Mrs Noel Templer, Mrs. R. S. Thorburn, Miss Brigha.m, Mrs. C. B. V. Wheeler, Mrs. Ruby Watson, Mrs. R. Ravlich, Miss Davis, Miss D. Hansen and Mrs. Grapengiesser.