EMPIRE GUESTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22540, 3 October 1936, Page 22

EMPIRE GUESTS

VICE-REGAL RECEPTION FUNCTION IN WELLINGTON

[BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON, Friday

Their Excellencies tho GovernorGeneral and Viscountess Gahvay gave a reception last pvening at Government House in honour of the Empire Chambers of Commerce Congress. Several hundred guests were present, including the overseas and New Zealand delegates, members pf the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, the Consular Corps, the Trade Commissioners and members of the visiting air delegation. Government House was looking particularly attractive, the floral decorations being more beautiful than ever. In the drawing room, where the guests wero received, were bowls and vases of white lilies, deep pink azaleas, and tulips of every colour, with here and there a vase of white broom. In the main hall, the centre of attraction, was a stand of pots of vivid azaleas, delicately tinted scliizanthus, and giant asparagus fern, tbo whole being dominated by rod and white striped hippeasthrums. Silver and crystal candelabra placed at each end of tho stand added to its charm. . In the various rooms opening off the hall were masses of white broom, deep purple irises and moro azaleas, while on tables in the closed-in verandahs, which had been fitted up as comfortable lounges, were bowls .of vari-coloured ranunculi. The conservatory _ with its palms, cinerarias, azaleas, strehtzia and beautiful cultivated birch, attracted much attention. A buffet supper was served in the main ballroom and in the billiard and dining rooms, where tho long tables were decorated with bowls of ranunculi and with silver candelabra. . The guests wero announced by Major A. F. Purvis and presented to Their Excellencies, who stood_ at one end of tho drawing room. Behind them stood Viscount Elibank, president of the Federation of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, and Viscountess Elibank, Mr. C. J. B. Norwood, president of the Wellington Chamberr an,d Mrs. Norwood, the Hon. 11. Sempk and Mrs. Semple, the Hon. W. Nash and Mrs. Is ash the Hon W. Lee Martin and Mrs. Lee Martin, "and Mrs. Arthur Purvis. Her Excellency wore a trained frock of deep amethyst crinkle crepe with circular shoulder ornaments of diamonds and a girdle with diamond clasp. Her shoulder spray was of cyclamens and she wore a diamond tiara and a necklace of large links of diamonds. Lady Elibank's striking trained frock was of vividly patterned floral ripp e silk and she wore a tiara of diamonds and pearls, a neck chain of diamonds and jade, and star-shaped earrings ot diamonds. Mrs. Norwood was m rose blue and silver-threaded metalasse with corsage spray of silver leaves. Mrs. Sempie's dress was of black georgette with silver sequin trimmings; Mrs. i\ash was in black mariette with diamante clips and Mrs. Lee Martia was in black I velvet with a shoulder spray of pink flowers. „. Also present were:—Sir Thomas ford, chairman of tho Council of federated Chambers, and Lady Wilford, the latter wearing a trained trock or dove crev georgette with rhinestone trimmings; Mr. Norton Francis, chairman of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand, and Mrs. Francis, tho latter in a trained gown of plum ring velvet with a large diamond ornament; Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, Mayor of Wellington, and Captain R. D. Oliver, the newsecond naval member of the IS aval Board, and Mrs. Oliver. A string quartette in the ball room played appropriate selections during tho evening.