TRAVEL CLUB

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 69, 23 March 1938, Page 16

TRAVEL CLUB

RECEPTION TO TOURISTS

REPRESENTATIVE GATHERING

There were over 70 guests at the Wellington Travel. Club's reception at the Hotel St. George last evening and more than 60 of them were from Victoria. Travelling under the soubriquet of "Keso," the party is making a lour of the Dominion, the first time such a venture has been made overseas by a large body under that name. French marigolds, gladioli, zinnias, and asters were banked in the Palm Lounge where the guests were received

by the chairman of the executive of the Travel Club (Mr. G. G. Stewart) and Mrs. Stewart. They were assisted by the hostesses, Mrs. T. M. Donovan, Miss Amy Kane, Mrs. J. S. Vinsen, Mrs. Hepburn Dick, and Miss N. E. Donovan (secretary).

Mr. Stewart welcomed the "Reso" party on behalf of the club and mentioned that it was the largest ■ single group the Travel Club had yet entertained.

The Mayor (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop) extended a warm welcome to the tourists on behalf of the city. He mentioned the "extraordinary" name under which the party was travelling. "I thought it was extraordinary until I was reminded that 'reso' is the beginning of 'resource,' which again is the beginning of 'resourcefulness,'" he said. He remarked the resourcefulness of the tourists in venturing out of their own country to New Zealand, and their spirit of inquiry which prompted the move and enabled them to realise their aim—to study the development of resources for the benefit of mankind. "Reso" had another meaning, too —that of resolution—and suggested that this also was a great factor in the make-up of the party. A group of people which was able to make a short, crowded tour of »> the Dominion studying its resources and other things en route, and which could arrive back at Victoria only one month after leaving, healthy and full of vigour, embodied the true spirit of resolution, he added amid laughter.

Speaking of ■ the strong ties which bound New Zealand and Australia, Mr. Hislop said that they were the same .people, their personalities cemented together by the great Anzac Corps. "The corps, which lives for all, immortal, has built up for us a united devotion to a great ideal," he said. The unity of the two countries was being further expressed by the expedition of over 1000 members of the old New Zealand forces, which would leave shortly to march beside former comrades-in-arms at the Anzac Day celebrations in Sydney. "We hope that on Anzac Day in 1940 a thousand Australians will march through the streets of Wellington to the citizens', shrine—the War Memorial," he added.

A further welcome to the tourists was given by the Hon. F. Langstone, Minister in charge of the Tourist Department, who greeted them on behalf of the Government. Mr. J. L. Menzies, Assistant Australian Trade Commissioner, who was present with his wife, .also, spoke.

The leader of the "Reso" tourists, the Hon. H. H. Olney, a member of the Legislative Council of Victoria, replied on behalf of the party, and expressed their pleasure at being in New Zealand. He gave a brief account of their travels in the South Island, and said that they were particularly struck with the grandeur of the scenery. Mr. Lester-Smith, another member of the party, added his thanks to those of Mr. Olney, and spoke in appreciation of the warm welcome and the hospitality extended to the party in New Zealand. Mr. L. C. Bromilow, member of the Betterment and Publicity Board of the Victorian Railways and of the central executive of the Australian Development Tours,, and organiser of the tour, spoke also on behalf of the party. . A group of Maoris, under the leadership of Mr. Kingi Tahiwi, gave a welcome in song, and afterwards performed a rousing haka for the benefit of the visitors. A team of girls performed a graceful poi dance to ah accompaniment of piano ' and guitar music. Mrs. Edith Watson, world correspondent of the "Travel" magazine, which is published in London, gave an amusing account of incidents during the course of her world tour. Before supper was served, Mrs. S. Kennedy sang several numbers and was accompanied at the piano by Miss Dorothy Spinks. VICTORIAN VISITORS. Among the "Reso" tourists present were the Hon. H, H. Olney, M.L.C., and Mrs. Olney, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Forsyth, Mr, and Mrs. A. R. Burns, Mr. and Mrs. H. Lester-Smith, Mr. and Mrs. L. Crawley, Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Rankin. Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Mitchell. Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wilkinson, Mr. and Mrs, Isaac. Davis, Mr. , and''Mi's.' Roy Champness! Mr.'and Mrs. N. W. Watson,' Mr. and Mrs.'M. B. Coffey, Mr. and Mrs. T. P. Kelly, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Holdsworth, Mr. and Mrs. W. Edwards, Mrs. A. A. Dcttmann. Mrs. E. J. Horton. Mrs. M. E. Mitchell, Mrs. H. Jackett, Messrs. H. J. Baker, G. S. Baker, D". K. McMillan, *J. M. McMillan, C. R. Walker, J. H. Holden, H. Dangerfield, C. H. Mitchell, M. Mum-J

ford. A. E. Maygar, J. A. Gouzner, W. H. Beveridge, E. J. Dawe, P. A. Wallbridge. C. W. Sammons, H. G Croft, R. T. Fagg, R. J. Whalley, J. B. Hamilton, Jas. Lumby, C. Atkin, C. L. English, J. G. Kurtie. J. H. Jackson, O. Field, L. C Br'omilow. J. A. Malcolm, Misses H. S. Maygar, P. Dettmann, V. Sheehan. *

Other guests present included Mr. and- Mrs. L. J. Schmitt. Mr. Marshall, Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Swift, Mr. A. G. Willis, Mrs. Edith Watson (London), Mr. and Mrs. H Holland, Mrs. R Hudson 'Dunedin), Mrs. Stephenson iChrislchurch), Miss Mules (England), Mrs. R. Smith (West Coast).