VICE-REGAL RECEPTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21553, 26 July 1933, Page 16

VICE-REGAL RECEPTION

CITY SOCIAL WORKERS activities praised TRIBUTE TO THE MAYOR Representatives of many of the social organisations at work in Aucklahd were the guests of Their Excellencies the Governor-General and Lady Bledisloo at a reception held at Government House yesterday afternoon. In very pleasant contrast to tho groyness of the day outside wero tho reception rooms, which were.bright and fragrant with a wealth of early spring flowers and cosily warm with fires. It was a very cordial welcomo that awaited the guests, as Their Excellencies have long been interested in tho social welfare work that is carried out in Auckland, and through getting into personal touch with the various societies they have gained a wide knowledge of their work and of the conditions under which it is done. Glorious touches of colour were added to the large reception room, in which Their Excellencies received, by the bowls of crimson and pink cyclamen of unusual size, intermingled with white, by vivid anemones, by wattle and by clusters of pink and dcop red camellias. Tho same lovely flowers wero also to be seen in the adjoining rooms and in the vestibule. Tea was served in tho ballroom, which looked most attractive with sprays of lycopoditim against tho cream walls, and cluster#of bamboo and crimson poinsettias grouped around tho walls and 'against tho musicians' stand. Poinsettias, in massive silver eporgnes and vases, decorated tho long tables which ran down each side of the room and across tho further end, their starshaped flowers a crimson flame of colour. Shaded lights added a softer note to tho scone. in the course of a brief speech, when everyone was gathered in the ballroom for tea, His Excellency expressed the very great pleasure that Lady Bledisloe and he felt at welcoming to Government House the representatives of so many societies that were engaged in the work of relieving tho distress that existed in and around tho city. It was impossible not to realise that New Zealand was passing through a troubled period. The work that was done, continued His Excellency, was an indication that the societies wero doing all in their power to work harmoniously, without sectarian and class differences. His Excellency paid a warm tribute to the work of tlio Mayor of Auckland, say-

ing that ho had set a brilliant example to his fellow citizens. If work such as he was doing was to bo a success, it had to bo a combination of heart and head if tho best were to bo obtained. No gathering that had been hold at Government House, said Lord Bledisloo in conclusion, had given greater pleasure to Lady Bledisloo and to himself than the otic that Was taking place there that afternoon. Her Excellency Lady Bledisloo was wearing a frock of willow green crinkled crepe, the skirt inlet with pleatod panels, a beige fox fur, and small closefitting willow green hat- to match her frock. Assisting in the entertainment of the guests were Miss Diana Harris, who was wearing a frock of tango red nmrocain with a beige and blue striped scarf knotted at tho neck, and small tango red hat to match; Lady Day, in a dark brown ensemble with brown hat to match; Captain J. W. Twcedio and Lieutenant Rodney Thomson, A.D.C.'s, and Sir Cecil Day. There were represented at tho reception fully eighty societies engaged in social welfare work. During the afternoon music was played by tho band from the Blind Institute.