GIFT FOR QUEEN FROM TIMARU

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27075, 25 June 1953, Page 2

GIFT FOR QUEEN FROM TIMARU

Tapestry Picture Of Mouftt Cook PRESENTATION DURING ROYAL VISIT (From Our Own Aeporter) TIMARU, June 24. When Queen Elizabeth visits Timaru in January next year, she will receive from the city the gift of a handworked tapestry reproduction of a painting of Mount Cook by Mr Duncan Darroch. All the work on the tapestry is being done by Mrs R. J. Comrie, wife of the City Engineer. Members of the Royal Family do not normally accept gifts from "the cities and towns they visit or from individuals, but the nature of the proposed gift is such that it will be acceptable. Timaru will be one of the few cities to make such a presentation. The suggestion for the gift was made by Cr. P. B. Foote, who said he thought the Royal visit should be marked with a gift which would have appropriate district appeal. The approximate size of the tapestry is 18 inches by 15 inches. It will be wholly worked in petit point, and when completed will contain more than 130,000 stitches.

Mrs Comrie has already achieved distinction through her tapestry work. She worked part of the Timaru coat of arms on a chair to be used in the dining-room of Government House when the Queen visits Wellington. Mrs Comrie hopes to have the tapestry completed and ready for framing in October.