A TRIP ABROAD

Evening Star, Issue 20056, 22 December 1928, Page 21

A TRIP ABROAD

A recent arrival from an nnusally interesting visit to London is Miss Lorna Smith, well-known in Dunedin as the possessor of a fine and' rich contralto voice. It was on, the special advice of Mme Ada _ Crossley, Avho numbers among her friends this young singer,

that Miss Smith stayed to study after Mr and Mrs Stanley Smith returned. She was fortunate in having for her teacher Miss Anno Williams, famous in London for taking pupils on Melba’s recommendation. “I suppose you found that all this meant real hard work? ” I asked. “ Yes, indeed,” replied Miss Smith. “ I certainly had no idea when I left New Zealand how much work it would moan. What with the daily lesson and hours of hard work, I had not much time for social life.” “ All tho same,” I added, “ you managed a garden party at Buckingham Palace! ” “Yes, and the .English students rather envied me—in fact it is a great thing to go over there as a Now Zealander. Wo had all sorts of privileges, apparently dosed to the average Englishman.” “What is Her Majesty really like?” I asked.

“She is in every way regal—in fact just what one imagines a queen should be. We were presented to her at tho party, and she shook hands and chatted in such a friendly way, advising us to take umbrellas, as she thought it was going to rain, “ What did you like best in London? ” With a laugh, liss Smith said it was impossible to tell, but two things really remained. One was tho jolly parties she and her fellow-students made to Covent Garden operas, whore, of course, they heard tho -'orkl’s greatest singers. On Italian opera nights it was great fun to bo surrounded with Italian enthusiasts. The other point she wanted to stress was tho tremendous usefulness of the High Commissioner’s office. There one could meet friends, write letters, and nearly always lind new arrivals from the dominion. In fact, it served as an excellent and friendly club, and by applying to the office, a Now Zealander could get tickets and invitations to many most interesting functions.

On my remarking that it would be a great pity to drop the music now, and that many no doubt would be glad to avail themselves _of the results of her work. Miss Smith said that several friends had suggested a recital, so much so that she was giving the matter serious consideration. Let us hope that this will take place in the near future.