QUEEN MARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22839, 21 September 1937, Page 10

QUEEN MARY

LOVE OF RURAL LIFE COUNTRY HOME PLANNED EASTBOURNE THOUGHT LIKELY LONDON, Sept. 12 It is understood that Queen Mriry is considering establishing a country cottage at an early date. Both the King and the Duke of Kent make full use of their country homes for relaxation and would like their mother to possess a week-end homo. "When Queen Mary returns from a series of country house visits, which furnish pi oof of her Iov«? of country life, she will attend to the plans of the new cottage.

The place which Queen Mary is likely to select as her country house is Compton Place at Eastbourne. At present her only home is Marlborough House in London.

Compton Place i 3 one of the homes of the Duke of Devonshire and has memories for Queen Mary as it was there she spent her last seaside holiday with King George V., before his death.

On that occasion, the house was modernised (it is 200 years old), under Queen Mary's supervision, and a lift was installed. It is still connected with Buckingham Palace by direct telephone.

It stands 011 the South Downs half a mile from tho sea, and is dignified, spacious, and typically English with its elms, red walls, and 30-acre garden. It is known as.the "House of the Seven Airs" and gets the full benefit of Channel breezes but is sheltered from cold and fog.

Queen Mary's health is excellent but her family is anxious that she shall take no chances in view of her ago. 70.

Compton Place is within two hours' drive of London. LITTLE PRINCESSES TUITION IN PACKING BOTH LEARNING TO COOK LONDON. Sept. 12 Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose are learning the art of packing. Queen Victoria always insisted that the children should pack their personal belongings. The veteran Princesses, Louise and Beatrice, still do so. Mrs. Knight, head nurse to Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose, is now teaching them, while the Court is in Scotland.

The Princesses also are learning to cook. Queen Elizabeth is a skilled cook and insists that their cooking shall not be merely a nursery game A small scale stove is being installed in the kitchens at Buckingham Palace so that the" Princesses may have expert instruction. Princess Elizabeth is anxious to pass the girl guide cookery test.