GIFT TO PRINCESS MARY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17400, 10 March 1922, Page 2

GIFT TO PRINCESS MARY.

THE GREENSTONE CASKET.

(PROli OUB OWN COBBESPONDE^T.)

LONDON. January 26. It is not likely, that there will be two opinions concerning the greenstone and silver casket that New Zealanders •in England are giving to Princess Mary. It was the unanimous and simultaneous choice of the four ladies who were delegated to- select it—Lady Allen, Mrs A. M. Myers, Mrs A. Michie, and Mrs Cunningham-Smith- So quick was the decision and~so soon did the choosers return to give an account of themselves that the other members of the committeo were dumb with surprise. It was expected that the settlement of so weighty a matter .would occupy hour* instead of minutes. ,*, ~ ./Unless New Zealand sends something in'igreenstone,. it is a safe prophecy that Princess Mary will receive nothing else at all like this box, and it was a great piece of good luck that something quite unique offered itself. The greenstone is delicate in tint—indeed, when placed open, with the daylight behind it, it is almost semi-transparent. All the six slabs used in its construction are equally clear and flawless. The casket, highly polished, is quite plain, save for itß silver setting, and no more silver has been used than is absolutely necessary to ensure strength—there are merely narrow bands on it, severely plain, apparently to hold the slabs together and to strengthen the lid. It is a casket for which many uses suggest themselves, but the idea of the selectors was that it would be useful as a tlreßsing-table accessory in the boudoir. They wanted something likely to be always used by the Princess, and there is no reason why this should not be; The present'now stands in a goldclasped white i morocco, case, lined throughout with white velvet, and it looks very chaste and in the best pos« sible taste'.