MR. DOWNIE STEWART

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21344, 19 November 1932, Page 8

MR. DOWNIE STEWART

VISIT TO BUCKLING HALL MANSION WITH A HISTORY [from our own correspondent] i LONDON. Oct. 11 The Hon. W. Downie Stewart and Miss. Stewart were members of a house party last week-end at Blickling Hall, Aylsham, Norfolk. This was one out of the many invitations received that Mr. Downie Stewart has been able to accept Hen he was able to meet a number of distinguished Englishmen who are interested in the Round Table Magazine, with which he was closely associated before he went into politics. Naturally, this wonderful old country home greatly, interested the New Zealand visitors. The site has an historical interest as far back as Norman times, and the Elizabethan mansion now there is one of the largest of its type in the country. The mansion is full of the most valuable contemporary paintings of Elizabethan celebrities, and the vast library is one of the most important private collections in the country. When the present Lord Lothian came into possession after" his cousin's death he was forced to s§ll valuable manuscripts to pay the death duties. For 120 pieces he received £IOO,OOO. The pictures so far have remained intact. Lord Lothian also inherited Newbattlfr Abbey, near Dalkeith, which he is handing over to the care of a public organisation in Edinburgh. Although there is a great estate attached to Blickling Hall the incomfe from this is small, and Lord Lothian, like so many other owners of stately mansions, has great difficulty in keeping up this magnificent home. Many of the rooms in the mansion are associated with the visits of kings and queens of England.