SYDNEY'S LADY MAYORESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18946, 18 February 1925, Page 13

SYDNEY'S LADY MAYORESS.

A FORTUNATE CHOICE. [FROM OUR OWN COKJtESiPONDENT. "J | SYDNEY. Feb. 13. ' When Mr, Stokes was appointed Lord Mayor of Sydney at the last elections, the fact that he is unmarried compelled him to look round for a Lady Mayoress during his term. Ho asked his "first cousin, Miss Walsh, to act in that capacity, and from all accounts it. has j been a very good choice. Miss Walsh, who lives in a quaint, old-fashioned home at Ashfield, within the metropolis, is not without personal charm; but she has attributes equally essential for the discharge of the responsibility < which has been thrust upon her, and which, in a big place like Sydney, is no small one. She has tact and a pretty wit, and is enthusiastic. Miss Walsh says she would have preferred to remain quietly at her home at Ashfield, where she takes a big interest in local movements, but when the call came she willingly came to Mr. Stokes' aid. Miss Walsh has already 'made her debut as Lady at big social events; but her busiest time will be as hostess at the brilliant civic gatherings which will mark the arrival this winter of the American fleet. • Her people are well known to thousands of Catholics in the State. A sister belongs to the Sisters of Charity, and is in charge of St. Mary's Cathedral School; two aunts/ are associated with St. Joseph's Hospital, Auburn, and she was a niece of the late Mother Mary Berchmans, formerly Mother-General of the Sisters of Charity in Australia. The Lord Mayors of Sydney who have been _ unmarried are very rare; but Miss Cecilia Walsh has demonstrated that bachelorhood need, not be a bar to those who aspiro to the post Magistrate,