TO CHURCH FOR HOAX.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 24 November 1924, Page 5

TO CHURCH FOR HOAX.

AMBASSADORS FOOLED. AN ELDERLY LADY’S ACTION. LONDON, Nov, 3. A mysterious hoax perpetrated at St. Paul’s Cathedral was the means of victimising the American Esthonian, Columbian, and other members of the diplomatic corps Hundreds of people received invitations to a service purporting to have been arranged on a national scale, in remembrance of the brave of all nations. The invitations added: Now that Wembley is closed, an oak wreath, which the Allies have presented, will be installed in St. Paul’s The only service held was the customary evensong. It transpires that a body named the Circle of Hope, which aims at the promotion of peace, had sent out the invitations and placed a wreath on the choir rails. The Cathedral authorities say that they have not accepted the wreath, which must be removed. LONDON, Nov. 4. Miss Alys Sandys, an elderly spinster, who is secretary of the “Circle of Hope,” takes the personal responsibility for inviting the thousand notables and diplomats to St. Paul’s. She wept all day on learning that the charming people had been disappointed, through their expecting a special national service. Miss Sandys says she has been offered the use of Wembley, and with £2,000,000 she -would use the buildings to teach trades to disabled and blinded ex-service men.

“My only difficulty,” said Miss Saudvs, “is finding someone sufficient Iv public-spirited to lend the £2,000,000.”