SIR PATRICK DUFF AND LADY DUFF

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24961, 23 August 1946, Page 2

SIR PATRICK DUFF AND LADY DUFF

RECEPTION OF WELCOME Members of the Canterbury branches of the four Empire societies—the Royal Empire Society, the Navy League, the Victoria League, and the Overseas League—together with the English Speaking Union, combined to arrange a reception, which was held in the Wentworth last night, in honour of Sir Patrick Duff (High Commissioner in New Zealand for the United Kingdom) and Lady Duff, who are paying a short visit to Christchurch. Over the stage the word “Welcome” was indicated in flags arranged by the sea cadets.

The hall was effectively decorated, and the supper tables, gay with bowls of flowers, were lit with candles in tall silver candelebra, all arranged byMrs Oakleigh Greenwood. Mrs J. Mowbray Tripp, president of the Victoria League, was hostess, and welcomed the distinguished visitors. The Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews) and the Mayoress (Mrs Hardy Cookson) were amongst the guests. Lady Duff wore a frock of yellow moire, with square-cut neckline and short rucked sleeves. She carried a bouquet of red flowers, presented to her by Mrs Tripp, who wore a black vqlvet dress, lightened with a long diamente clasp. , After an address had been delivered by Sir Patrick Duff, a short programme was provided by Mrs J. C. Cullman, who played the accompaniments, Miss Margaret Ward and Mr Winston Sharp (vocal duets), Mrs Bernard Banks (elocutionary items), Mr Thomas E. West, and Mr Sharp (songs). Sir Robert Clark-Hall thanked the speaker for his thought-pro-voking speech, and Commander C. H. Kersley thanked the artists. After supper, the guests were individually presented to Sir Patrick Duff and Lady Duff, who will leave Christchurch to-day on their return to W ellington.