“ MISS NEW ZEALAND ” IN YORKSHIRE

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25550, 19 July 1948, Page 2

“ MISS NEW ZEALAND ” IN YORKSHIRE

“ A CHARMING AMBASSADRESS ” In a letter to the New Zealand High Commissioner in London (Mr J. W. Jordan), a copy of which has been received by the Royal Society . of St. George. Wellington. Sir Harold Wil-berforce-Bell. chairman of the council of the Yorkshire branch of the society, described a visit paid by “Miss New Zealand” (Miss Mary Wootton) to Yorkshire. Miss Wootton’s visit had been a tremendous success, and had given Yorkshire people an excellent impression of a charming and virile people in a younger country, he said. “I must congratulate both yourself and New Zealand in sending so charming an ambassadress,” he added. Miss Wootton stayed with Sir Harold and Lady Wilberforce-Bell at Portington Hall during part of her visit to Yorkshire. With her host and Mrs Arnold Reckitt, who was formerly Miss Wilberforce, a great-granddaugh-ter of William Wilberforce, the emancioator of slaves. Miss Wootton visited Wilberforce House, and latfr the Lord Mayor entertained her at? .luncheon. After luncheon-she made a tour of the docks, and visited Messrs Reckitt and Colman’s factory—a flrm With a factory in Dunedin. When attending a children’s service at* Church, Miss Wootton spoke about the Dominion to the children. She opened the church fete at Dalton Hall. In the presence of 15.000 people. Miss Wootton kicked off at a women’s international football match at Hull on June 23. Next day she was given a civic welcome in Hull by the Lord Mayor.

Miss Wootton was to complete her tour of Yorkshire by seeing a Royal Agriculture Show at York on Julv 6. when. Sir Harold Wilberforce-Bell said. he. had arranged for her to be presented to the Princess Royal.