COCKTAIL PARTY

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26262, 6 November 1950, Page 2

COCKTAIL PARTY

OVERSEAS VISITORS ENTERTAINED

Mr Denys Rhodes and the Hon. Mrs Rhodes, who arrived in Christchurch Irom London a few weeks ago, were the guests of honour at a cocktail party given on Saturday by Miss Mary Wigley, president of th« New Zealand Pioneers’ and Descendants’ Club (Canterbury branch). Members of the club assembled in full force to welcome the visitors, many because they had happy memories of Mr Rhodes's parents, Major and the Hon. Mrs Tahu Rhodes who for some years were popular and highly regarded residents of Ellesmere, and most because they had taken a kindly interest ’in Mr Rhodes’s marriage in July to the Hon. Margaret Elphinstone, a niece of Her Majesty the Queen. The party was held at the studio of Mrs Elsie M. White, honorary secretary of the club and the guests of honour, who were accompanied by Mr Rhodes’s cousin. Mr George Hutton junior, and Mrs Hutton, were piped to the house by members of St. Andrew’s College pipe band. Among those present were the Mayor (Sir Ernest Andrews) and the Mayoress (Mrs F. Hardy Cookson) and later the Prime Minister (Mr Hol’and) and Mrs Holland joined the guests. Miss Wigley, in a speech of welcome, paid tribute to the great public services given to New Zealand by Mr Rhodes's forbears, the Rhodes and Moorhouse families and by his maternal grand-parents, Lord and Lady Plunket. She recalled that his greatgrandfather had been in the Dominion 'in pre-pioneer days and that his grandfather, Mr Arthur Rhodes, had been Mayor of Christchurch for some years. To Lord Plunket, who was Governor of New Zealand and to Lady Plunket, who sponsored the Plunket Society. Miss Wigley said the Dominion owed a debt ot gratitude. The club was honoured by the presence of Mrs Rhodes and members were looking forward to meeting so distinguished a visitor to Canterbury. On behalf of the club she presented Mrs Rhodes with a basket of red roses.

In gratefully acknowledging the Welcome accorded his wife and himself, Mr. Rhodes said they had been overwhelmed by kindly hospitality since they arrived in Canterbury. He thanked the pipers whose music he said made his wife, whose home was in Midlothian, feel quite at home. Mr and Mrs Rhodes, who are staying with Major and Mrs Geofge Hutton. Bangor, Darfleld, will be the guests of Mr J. H. Rhodes. Oakf. 'i. Riccarton, for the Agricultural and Pastoral show tjiis week.