AUSTRALIA DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 23, 27 January 1940, Page 18

AUSTRALIA DAY

YESTERDAY'S LARGE

RECEPTION

TRADE COMMISSIONER

ENTERTAINS

Large groups .of spectators were attracted to the Australian Court at the Exhibition yesterday afternoon by the presence of many official cars and the arrival of the many guests, who, at the invitation of/the Australian Trade Commissioner (Mr. C. E. Critchley) and Mrs. Critchley, had gathered at a reception in honour of Senator P. A. M. Mcßride, the Australian Government's representative in New Zealand for the Centennial celebrations, and Mrs. McBride. Australia Day was also commemorated by the function, which was attended by nearly three hundred guests, who included many Australians, as «yell as local residents. Mem-

bers of the Papal Legate's party ..werg present, and , Parliamentary/officials," the clergy, the Consular Corps, Commissioners, City Council, and Exhibition directorate, as well as the Services were also represented. '•,...

The guests were received by Mr. and v Mrs. Critchley, and Senator .and Mrs. Mcßride; with Mr. J. L. Menzies, the, assistant Conrniissioner/-andyMrs, Menzies, in the lofty entrance tbrthe payilion. Mrs. Critchley wbrea smart grass-green and yellow patterned silk frock Under a matching hip-length coat with ,a- black felt hat trimmed with .a shiny flat bowi. Mrs. Mcßride pinned a lovely spray of ' red roses on the shoulder of her'black frock and coat ensemble with which she wore a smart black toque finished with,a coarse, mesh veilfV'" \- '...."/.•■..

The sun streamed through the big windows of the building , and ■ many guests gathered in the pleasant lounge 1 under the curved stairway. -i Others I met in the centre of the pavilion, which with its high blue ceiling and clear white walls, gives a fine impression of spaciousness and grandeur. Australians themselves, inspected with, nostalgic interest some of the )inany exhibits which; were close at hand, and many guests. wandered off :'into the far recesses of ;the court, •attracted by the unusual displays of the. Comnipnwealth's products. The court's hostesses, in their unbbtrusively'-smart uniforms, comprising,cream;'blouses and finelypleated navy skirts, helped to : entertain, and cocktails and, other refreshments were sei*ved by white-jacketed waiters. Bowls of /glorious hydrangeas in. shades of pink, mauve',, and blue, were set about the court; and spears of flame and apricot gladioli reflected the brilliance of the sun which bathed the building.