NOTABLE GATHERING

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 127, 24 February 1944, Page 3

NOTABLE GATHERING

At Home Follows Ceremony In Legislative Council The scene in the Legislative Council chamber al Parliament was au sive aud colourful one, when J eellcuey the Governor-General ““‘•“ded yesterday afternoon to read the bix-eui from the Throne. The gallery wu *4“'' cd and among the smartly dressed throng were representatives of the wol “ el ? j vices in New Zealand. A parly of United States navy nurses were interested spectators. . ~ His Excellency Sir Cyril Newell was accompanied by Lady N'ewall, who wore a lovely bouffant- ground-) eng LU irock of white embroidered organdie made widi a fitted bodice aud puff sleeves and worn with elbow gloves of white kid. Her small brimmed hat of soft blue lace and net had its crown encircled with pale pink roses and net and her jewels were a double necklet of pearls, a sapphire aud diamond dress pin and matching carrings. , Mrs. P. Eraser, wife of the Prune Minister, wore a frock of black chiffon velvet and a wide brimmed black hat. The only woman M.P., Miss Mabel Howard, Christchurch, took her place wearing a long frock of deep powder blue with a shoulder spray of cyclamen velvet orchids ; their Excellencies' elder daughter Miss Georgiana N'ewall, was among a party from Government House, which included Miss Nora Walton, Captain H. Helmore, A.D.C. and Mr. D. E. Fouhy. The mayoress of Wellington, Mrs. Hislop, was in a black patterned silk ensemble with touches of white and a small white hat. Later in the afternoon, the newly elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Schramm and Mrs. Schramm, held a small “at home” in the Speaker’s rooms at Parliament Buildings. Mrs. Schramm wore a floral patterned afternoon frock that repeated the colours’ of the lovely spikes of gladioli, used to decorate the sitting-room, with its rose velvet hangings and pretty chintz covered chairs. The uniformed attendants helped to dispense afternoon tea, during which their Excellencies moved informally among the guests. Lady Newall carried a bouquet of richly coloured begonias which bad been presented to her on her'arrival for the formal ceremony. The Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser and Mrs. Fraser, and the leader of the Opposition, Mr. Holland, and Mrs. Holland, attended the "at home.” Others invited were Cabinet Ministers, judges of the Supreme Court, the heads of the three Services, members of the consular corps aud high commissioners, wives accompanying their husbands in most cases. The, Government House party also attended.