GATE-CRASHING' AGAIN

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 74, 1 April 1929, Page 13

GATE-CRASHING' AGAIN

L'AT UP ALL THE SUPPEK

The "gate-crashing" season seems to have begun again. Oiving to the King's illness there has been a lull in entertaining for the last six weeks or so, but at one of the first functions of the little season, which has just commenced, the "gate-crasher" made his appearance once more, undaunted by the snubs which wore handed out to his tribe last summer, says a London writer iv "The- Australasian." Mrs. Reginald Coke lias been the first sufferer. She gave a large fancy dress party this week at Glebe place,'in the studio belonging to Mrs. Derwent AVood, the Australian widow of the famous sculptor. She happened to bo near the door when a party of seven young people arrived in fancy dress, so she was able to tell them quietly that as they, were not on the list of invited guests she could not receive them." The- really curious, fact is that the fcader of the party had actually telephoned Mrs. Coko earlier in .the day to ask if hc-,could come to the party and bring some friends, and she had told him that it was-quite' impossible, since there was not room'for more guests. It is difficult to understand the 'mentality of "gate-crashers," but since it is apparently useless to appeal to their better natures London hostesses ,an; preparing to take, a . firm stand and end the nuisance for themselves. The "gnto-ertfshcr" has, .in.deed, become, quite a'problem. It is apt to" bo disconcerting if you prepare .for a hundred guests and two hundred come. The properly invited guests, being of a more retiring nature, often go suppei'lcss while the uninvited ones cheerfully eat up all the food. Nor do their delinquencies end there." They -a.ro notoriously careless-in .regard to 'other people's furniture; they drop'cigarette ends just .wherever they feel like it; they disregard other people, and calmly take possession of a house.

They have now developed into a "gang," whose ringleaders arc known by name, and since polite refusals have no effect on them it is likely that strong measures will be taken in• the future^ -and tho London season-'., should,'; supply:' ..sbnie unusual situations. '."•'• ". • .",' " .