Dominion’s Sweetheart

Evening Star, Issue 19412, 22 November 1926, Page 5

Dominion’s Sweetheart

A Rapturous Reception } Auckland’s Generous Acknowledgment Maid of Honor Also Dunedin Born i Miss Osten Snatches First Kiss [Fkom Pub Own Reporter.] AUCKLAND, November 22. • Not even in Dunedin, her own home town, which 1 she loves so well, corfid the announcement that Thelma M’Millan, charming “ Miss Otago,” who won the good-will of all during ■ the contest, had been chosen by the judges to be ” Miss New Zealand” have been more enthusiastically received. The theatre was on the tip-toe of expectation on Saturday night, and when Mr Louis Cohen, chairman of the Judging - Committee, uttered Miss M’Millan’s name the deafening applause lasted for minutes. It was a thrilling moment for her and for all past and present Dunedinites in the audience, and the latter’s pride and satisfaction were increased by the many kindly references to the wiiiner by local people, Indeed, a striking feature of the Auckland pageant was the large number of Aucklanders who openly expressed admiration for the representative from the far south; and after the event the general feeling was exemplified in such remarks as Good luck to herl” “ She deserves the win,” “ I told you she was the pick,” and so on. This generous attitude on the part of a people whom southerners are prone to look upon as self-centred, and perhaps a little egotistical, was highly gratifying, and will go far towards creating a better understanding between the provinces. A large part of the credit for this interprovincial hand- ‘ shake, so to speak, must be set down to Thelma M'Millan’s own captivating personality. She has developed not only from “Miss Otago ” to ‘‘ Miss New Zealand,” but from Dunedin’s sweetheart into the whole dominion s sweetheart. Having invested Mjss M’Millan with the sash, decorated with a tricolor rosette and bearing the words Miss New Zealand, 1926,” Mr Cohen next announced that Miss Wilson had been chosen Maid of Honor. This was also very warmly received, she being another wdio has the good opinions of the theatre public. She is a dainty little lady, with wonderful eyes and a shapely figure, and, though second choice in the Wellington provincial contest, was a popular favorite here, As already mentioned in the * Star,’ she is a Dunedin native who has resided at Wellington for a few years. Thus the far southern centre scored heavily in this test of beauty. The two girls form an ideal contrast, the maid being a good deal shorter, of trim build, and sprightly. ‘‘Miss New Zealand” received the news of her success with her wonted outward calm, though the increased sparkle in her eyes and the slow flush on her cheeks betokened that the pleasurable shock had some effect. Immediately Mr Cohen said the words Miss Otago, her local Maid of Honor, Miss Osten, who was standing next' her, flung her arms around her fellow-townswoman and imprinted a kiss upon her lips. Some of the other girls followed suit, and, not to be outdone, Arthur Pond, comedian of the vaudeville company, hurried from the wings and, amid renewed applause, also took toll of the now fairly blushing girl. Miss Wilson received similar tokens from her fellow-finalists, the first to so salute her being Miss M’Cubbih, who thus sportingly acknowledged defeat at the hands of her, own maid. Then began the handing of the splendid gifts, including fine fox furs to each of the two winning girls, piles of parcels, chocolates, and floral tributes, the latter being particularly beautiful. Cheers were given for each and all, and finally the whole vaudeville company swarmed on the stage, joined hands with the beauties, and sang ‘ Auld Lang Syne.’ The curtain fell on a memorable scene, and the people streamed out to make their way as best they could through the dense masses waiting outside for a sight of the girls. “Miss New Zealand” and her Maid appeared on the balcony facing the Arcade, and were again rapturously cheered. When the line of cars moved, headed by one bearing the white pennant “Miss New Zealand,” and followed by the others, it was with difficulty that a strong cordon of police, who linked arms and formed a strong barrier, kept the crowd from sweeping the cars, girls, and their gifts from the street in their anxiety to pay homage. , “Miss Otago’s” win was undoubtedly a most popular one. and she is the idol of the hour. The judges found their task anything but easy. Practically two full days were occupied in coming to a decision. All the girls were again before them on Saturday morning, and were present at luncheon later with the judges. It was absolutely a thorough test, and the girls all stood up to it splendidly. An endeavor is being made to induce the eight finalists to accept engagement to appear nightly in a pageant at the Majestic Picture Theatre in Auckland for a short season. Miss M’Millan sends the following message to the Dunedin people; —“ Say how grateful lam to them,” she said to our reporter, “for placing me in the position that made the higher honor possible, and how delighted I am to have brought that honor to Otago. Everybody has been so wonderfully kind to me, and the way in which the result was received by the Auckland public was, I think, splendid. My association with the other finalists has been most happy, and, though I am a little weary, now that the strain is over, I shall be sorry the party is breaking up. Send my love to Dunedin, and say how proud and pleased I am.”