CIVIC LUNCHEON

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28154, 18 December 1956, Page 16

CIVIC LUNCHEON

Informality Marks Occasion CITY COUNCIL FUNCTION For the second time in three years, the Duke of Edinburgh yesterday sat down with civic dignitaries and Canterbury local body members and officers to a meal. The occasion was the civic luncheon in his honour at the Winter Garden. The first occasion was on January 19. 1954, when Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke dined at Beath’s. The civic dinner of nearly three years ago was formal. Informality marked yesterday’s function, arranged by the Christchurch City Council. No speeches were scheduled. The Duke made one of about 20 seconds, returning a compliment to the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr R. M. Macfarlane, M.P.) after the Mayor had. unexpectedly. proposed the Duke’s health. Thp 200 guests were enjoying a liqueur when the Mayor rose and proposed the Duke’s health. “I am going to get one back on the Mayor now,” said the Duke. “I discovered, through devious means, that this is his twenty-third or twentyfourth wedding anniversary.” An outburst of applause interrupted the Duke’s remarks. “I would like,” he said, "to propose the toast of Mr and Mrs Macfarlane.” Early Arrivals The toast was drunk with musical honours and, a minute later, the Duke and the Mayor left the top table at the Winter Garden. The Duke was on his way to the second section of his ceremonial drive through the city. Outside, a larger crowd than when he arrived, gave him a hearty sendoff. Nearly two hours before the scheduled time of the Puke’s arrival for the luncheon, one man and six women assembled outside the Winter Garden and about 200 persons were present when the last guests, presenting their invitations, arrived. The Duke’s arrival had been fixed for 12.45 p.m. He arrived at 12.47 p.m., and as he entered the ballroom, subdued in its lighting yet colourful with its flowers and decorations, silence fell until he was seated. It was perhaps spontaneous on the guests* part that instead of standing silently they sang when the orchestra played “God Save the Queen.” The luncheon had not been served when, to the Duke’s right in an alcove, a bowl of flowers capsized. The Duke looked concernedly towards the corner and quickly settled down to the first course, after the Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt. Rev. A. K. Warren) had said grace. The only toast was that of “The Queen,” proposed by the Mayor. It was enthusiastically honoured.

The Menu The menu was: — Chilled. Grapefruit Cocktail Toheroa Soup Chicken Soup Salmon Croquettes Cold Roast Turkey and Cranberry Sauce Cold Roast Lamb and jellied mint Green Peas Boiled Potatoes Spring Salad Fresh Strawberries and Cream Meringues Ananas Ice Cream and Caramel Sauce Chicken Livers With the coffee were liqueurs and cigars for those who sought them. The Duke wore a dark grey suit, The Mayor was without his gold chain and robes 3f office, and the Town Clerk (Mr H. S. Feast) also discarded the wig and gown officially bestowed on him by the City Council. With them at the top table were:— the Mayoress, Bishop Warren and Mrs Warren, the Most Rev. E. M. Joyce (Roman Catholic Bishop of Christchurch), Viscount Cilcennin, the Duke’s equerry (Squadron-Leader Henry Chinnery), the Hon. Mr Justice Adams. Mr A. G. Harper (director of the tour). Mrs Feast, and the DeputyMayor (Mr G. Manning) and Mrs Manning.