WOMEN’S WORLD

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 224, 21 August 1935, Page 13

WOMEN’S WORLD

31 r and Mrs S. H. Dailey, of Timaru, are visiting "Wanganui and Palmerston North. With tlie intention of paying a six months’ visit to Suva. Miss Sylvia Cousins (Feilding) and Mrs D. Hayden Mac Lean (Taihape) will leave Auckland to-morrow by the Niagara. Mrs Ashcroft Edwards, of Wellington, has been visiting Mr and Mrs Edwards, of Palmerston North. Hr. and Mrs Frank Scott, of Palmerston North, were in London at the beginning of July (says an overseas journal). Tho engagement, is announced of Evelyn Mavis, eldest daughter of Mrs and the late Mr W. H. Smith, Wenslee, Taikorea, to Theophilus John second son of the late Mr and Mrs A. S. Walsh, Foxton.

Dr Elizabeth Gunn, medical inspector of schools for the Wanganui disI trict. is leaving for Sydney this week. 'Dr Gunn is to represent the Health Department at two conferences, the first one of school medical officers and the second, the annual meeting of the : British. Medical Association. Owing to ; the shipping strike Dr Gunn had to leave by an earlier date to be in | Melbourne by September 4, the date of the first conference.

MEMBER HONOURED

BY PLAYREADING CIRCLE

Airs E. J. Edwards, who will be taking up her residence in Christchurch in the near future, was the guest of honour at a function held by the members of the playreading circle of the Manawatu Women’s Club at Messrs CoJlinson and Cunninghame’s rooms, which were bright with spring flowers. Airs Edwards carried a Victorian posy in delicate shades, which had been presented to her bv Airs Cranston. Aliss Cranston, convener of the circle, expressed the great regret of all the members at the departure of so valued a reader and performer as Airs Edwards. who had always charmingly portrayed the characters assigned to her in performances. On behalf of the circle she asked Airs Edwards to accept a tinted witch bowl, with good wishes for her future success and happiness. Airs Edwards feelingly replied. Apologies for absence were received from Atesda.mes Alansford, Fuller, Gatley and Parkes.

PREAIIER’S WIFE

AIRS FORBES ENJOYS TOUR

Recounting ber experiences while visiting England with Iter husband, the Prime Minister, Airs G. W. Forbes gave an outline of the vivid impressions she had received, in an interviewd on her return to New Zealand on Alonday. “When we reached Southampton we had a number of people to greet us, and later, when the train reached London, there on the platform, in addition to many New Zealanders, were Earl Jellicoe and Viscount and Viscountess Rledisloc. By the way, we spent a week-end with the Bledisloes. 'llieir country home, Lydney Park, is beautiful, and lias the most lovely surroundings. “After we arrived in London,” Airs Forties continued, “we were simply rushed off our feet. There was so much to be done and so much to be seen. I know you must have read all about the Jubilee celebrations, but 1 really must tell you something about them. Everyone who was in London then felt so proud to he British. The loyalty to the Crown was so genuine. I could never have believed such devotion and loyalty possible had I not been there to see things lor myself. And His Alajesty was so happy about it all. Do von know that when the Trooping of the Colour took place, there seemed a possibility of rain, and the people were all at tension point for fear the King would not be able to return to the palace before the weather broke? fortunately, he did get back before the rain started. “May 6 was an unforgettable day. I shall never forget our ride in the procession. Eirst of all we drove to St. James’s Palace and in the courtyard transferred to carriages drawn by horses. It was glorious being driven in a carriage. I might as well tell you I was feeling quite nervous as. we emerged from the courtyard, hut just as we were moving off we heard a loud ‘Kia Ora’ from someone in the dense crowds that lined the route ; and tint* seemed to give me confidence. From Mien on I sat up and took notice of all that happened. The crowds in the streets were the jolliest I have ever seen. It seemed to me as it every shop window, or window of any type, had been let for the occasion. Rows and rows of seats were placed in them. Every now and then bew Zealanders in the crowd would call out •Kia Ora.’ and at once place, when we stopped for a minute, there was Aliss Stella Alurrav standing just by our carriage. The fact that she knowanyone in the procession immediately made her an object of intense interest to all who were near her.” THE STATE DINNER.

After giving more details about the Jubilee procession, Mrs Forbes spoke of the State dinner at Buckingham Palace. “That,” she said, “was one of the things I shall never forget. the King looked so wonderfully happy, and reallv was so happy that he did not have' time to be tired, despite the strenuous day he had had; and the Queen looked beautiful. And she is so (rracious. 'When we were all being presented at the dinner, Her Majesty said to me, ‘How nice to see you a-rain.’ It was such a gracious action and made one feel so completely at case. The Queen lias a wondoilill memory, especially where htths details are concerned. Jhe State dinner was a magnificent affair, and the decorations were glorious Jhe famous gold plate was used tor that ocMrs Forbes spoke of the various members of the Royal Pamdy. to whom she was presented by the Duchess of Devonshire. She also dined with tiie Duke and Duchess of York, being seated next to His Royal Highness. That wns> the occasion when the two little princesses, determined to see something of what was happening, took up their stand on the stairway and peeped through the bannisters. A vivid description was also given ot the reception given by the Prince ot Wales. , x . “New Zealanders seemed to be everywhere in London,” Mrs Forbes said. “When the High Commissioner gave a reception for us to meet them, it was almost like being back in our own country.” Mrs Forbes gave a colourful description of the Royal Court and of her presentation. “The dresses at the Court were gorgeous,” she said. , , „. “Oh, I must tell you about the King taking the various Prime Ministers out on to the balcony at Buckingham Palace. Thousands and thousands ot people were waiting hoping to catch even a glimpse of His Majesty’, and when lie showed himself their joy was unbounded. He raised his arm and there was a deafening cheer; and when he lowered it there was a sudden and complete silence. “I felt very proud on one particular occasion,” Mrs Forbes said. “We were at a military display at Olympia, and Mr Forbes was asked to take the salute. All the New Zealanders were greatly thrilled at the honour, and wo received many letters and telegrams of congratulation. “When we left England, the King was indisposed, and we were unable to see him. However, lie sent his personal private secretary to us with kind messages and a beautiful little album containing photographs of himself and the Queen. “The whole trip was wonderful from start to finish.” Mrs Forbes added, “but 1 am really glad to be home. I hope that the people whom I met and who were so good to me will not mind my saying that; but, you see, T have m’v family here and it seems so long since I saw tho^n—and there is so much, they want to hear.”