N.Z. ASSOCIATION

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 65, 17 March 1934, Page 14

N.Z. ASSOCIATION

GIFT TO CITY CHURCH

LONDON COMPANION FLAG

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON^ February 8. Following the seivite at St. Bawrenco Jewry, the ofijcial chureii of New Zealandcrs in London, on .February 0, one hundred members of the New Zealand \Vomen's Association were entertained at tea by the New Zealand Society. The guests wcro leccived by the piesident of the society (the High Commissioner foi New Zealand), and two hours wore very happily spent, the. hosts' being very attentive in looking after the guests. This was Sir James Parr's first opportunity to "renew acquaintance with numerous friends. It may bo recalled that „■ at the church a beautiful blue silk New Zealand flag had been presented to the rector by the ■'■■Now ''Zealand Women's Association. The suggestion had been brought up before the association some months ago by Lady Wilford, when it met with unanimous approval. Tho offer %as made to the rector (the Bey. W. V. Bcsley, M.V.0., foimeily on the staff of Wanganui Collegiate School), who was enthusiastic in his acceptance of the pioposcd gift to this city church of which he has had charge for tho past fourteen years. The first Church of St.. Lawrence Jewry, mentioned in a will of 1250, was destroyed in the Great Five, and the present church, designed by Sir Ohristophei AVien, ttas opened foi seitice in 1G77. I It is untouched by any oth<>r building, and contains some of the finest woodwork in the city. The organ case is superbly carved, as is the vestry, which is also adorned with handsome plasterwork, and paintings on the ceiling and over the mantelpiece. Among the monuments is one, with effigy, to Archbishop Tillotson,whb was lecturer there, and married a niece of Oliver Cromwell. Among famous people buried in the old church tt'eie the gieatgrandfather of Anno Bolcyn and the father of Sir Thomas 'Gresham! The church is also the parish church of the "Worshipful Company of Girdlcrs, whose patron saint is St. Lawrence. A year ago the New Zealand women had the honour of being the guests of the Worshipful Company of Girdlcrs in theii interesting hall. St. Lawrence Jewry, next Guildhall, is the official church of tho Lord Mayoi, the Aldermen, and the Common Council of the Waid of Cheap, and it is not unlikely that the flag given by New Zealand women will have a companion flag fiom tho City of London; the Lord Mayor having already made the graceful,suggestion. The New Zealand flag was unfurled by Admiral Sir Lionel Halsqy, after it had been formally presented to the_ rector by Mis Hal Williams, acting president of the New Zealand Women ',s- As sociation. It has been placed at the west end of the nate.