SUBDUED CROWDS

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 20, 24 January 1936, Page 15

SUBDUED CROWDS

A DIFFERENT TRENTHAM

RACEGOERS' SOMBRE

CLOTHES

Although there was a fairly large attendance at Trentham races yesterday, the first day of the Wellington Racing Club's Summer Meeting, there was an air of solemnity about the gathering, and the usual zest was definitely missing. The impression one gained was that it was simply an outing and not a day of pleasure, and the black arm bands worn by the jockeys and the purple and black ribbons hung in the unoccupied^ Viceregal box were constant reminders of the Empire's loss, whilst the leaden sky and the occasional drizzle of rain intensified the effect of mourning.

The frocks and suits worn showed a commendable amount of good tasle, being very fitting to the occasion, subdued in colour and simple in style, and

there was hardly one person 'present who was not wearing some black.

Mrs. Riddiford, the wife of the president of the Wellington Racing Club, wore a black wool marocain ensemble, narrow striped black and white crepe de chine lining the three-quarter length coat and forming a blouse, and a small black tagel straw hat trimmed with white.

A large number of the women present were in black tailored coats and skirts, and the majority of the men wore black ties.

The lawns, the trees, and the flowers, however, were all in the height of their summer glory. On entering the course through the main gates a blaze of colour greeted the racegoers. Two large triangular beds, set in the lawns on either side of the path, were filled with purple blooms mixed with flame-coloured phlox and bordered with vieux-rose antirrhinums and miniature red begonias. Similar beds; a joy to behold, studded the lawns behind the grandstands with brilliant patches of colour, and the trees were dressed in the strong vivid green of their leafy prime. Virginia creeper covered the pillars supporting the ramps, spread itself over the actual stands, and additional growth spilt itself over all the ledges, forming lovely pendulous draperies. Even the birdcage had a narrow border of brilliant blue lobelia and miniature begonia, and the band stand set in the lawn in front of the members' stand was surrounded by a border of flowers so beautifully and vividly blended that they added a cheerful symphony of their own to the music supplied by the Port Nicholson Silver Band.

The beautiful hills on the far side of the course, which are. the pride of Trentham racegoers, were unusually green for this time of year, irrefutable testimony to our unsummer-like summer.

In the stewards' luncheon room bowls of deep and pale pink gladioli stood on every available ledge and window sill, and on the tables there were vases of pink and red carnations mixed with gypsophjla. The customary official luncheon given by the president was not held on this occasion.

At the end of the day "God Save the King" was played by the band, the crowd standing in motionless silence, whilst the flags fluttering at the top of the masts proclaimed the new King's accession to the throne of England.