COURT BAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23048, 27 May 1938, Page 16

COURT BAN

NEW ZEALAND LADIES LORD CHAMBERLAIN'S ACTION INTERVIEWS TO PRESS [from our own correspondent] ■ JjONDON, May 11 It is hardly likely that any Lord Chamberlain has had a more uncongenial duty to perform than that which compelled the Earl of Cromer, 011 the eve of his retirement, to order the cancellation of Commands for Court presentations that had been issued to two ladies from New Zealand. Their names had been submitted, as is the custom, through the High Commissioner, and they had been duly approved. Last week-end, the London and provincial newspapers came out with startling headlines and with prominent streetcorner posters, announcing that Court presentation bans had been made in the caso of two New Zealand ladies, and they mentioned the names of Mrs. William Webster and Miss Kathleen O'Brien.

The published reason was that both ladies had granted interviews to the press. And, further, there was the implied advertising which was involved, for Mrs. Webster had been described as "fashion hostess at a Liverpool store" and Miss O'Brien as "a hostess at a Manchester hotel." Mrs. Webster's Career Under the heading, "Honour for 'Henriette,' Liverpool and New Zealand," the Liverpool Echo of April 29 had referred to Mrs. Webster as the "daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. Jones, Pentrefelin, Llangollen, and wife of Professor Webster, of Massey University College, New Zealand. . . She is a keen repertory player, very musical, and a writer of short stories. She is at present fashion advisor, as 'Henriette,' to John Rubin, Limited, the London Road store proprietors, Liverpool." To the representative of the Empire News, a Sunday paper published in Manchester, tho New Zealand High Commissioner, Mr. Jordan, is quoted as having said: —"It is a complete mystery*, to me why these ladies have had their invitations cancelled. I would never put the name of anyone forward whom I did not believe to be a fit and proper person to receive such an honour. Both Miss O'Brien and Mrs. Webster are highly respected." Denial of Seeking Publicity

To a representative of the Daily Dispatch, Manchester, -\lrs. Webster remarked: —"I have certainly not sought any publicity sinco I was informed of the honour. I have given no interviews to the press." To Miss O'Brien, the statement is attributed by the Daily Dispatch, Manchester, "I originally came to England to be married, but I changed my mind." She refused to comment on the withdrawal of her invitation. "I am sorry," she said, "but I have nothing to say." The-: Manchester 'Evening News said:—"Miss O'Brien, daughter of a New Zealand business man, figured in interviews with two London newspapers. In one she was quoted as having said she would have no trouble about the curtsey, as she taught it to debutantes in New Zealand. During the summer Miss O'Brien is in charge of social arrangements at a big Scottish hotel."

COMPOSITE AIRCRAFT SUCCESS OF TEST FLIGHT NEW ZEALANDER AT CONTROLS [from our own correspondent] LONDON, May 11 With a New Zealander, Mr. H. L. Piper, formerly of Christchurch, at the controls, the Mercury stepped off the Maia on two occasions early this week during the first full-load separation trials of the Mayo Composite aircraft, over Felixstowe, where the Air Ministry has a Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment. The Mercury was carrying 1180 gallons of petrol and its loaded weight was 20.8001b. The fuel was sufficient for a flight to New York in windless conditions. In order to use up the petrol, the Mercury would have had to continue flying for 20 hours to reduce the wing loading to the point at which an alighting at a reasonable speed might bo made. Instead, the test was made to include a trial' of tlio jettisoning apparatus, which is intended to lighten the seaplane quickly in case of emergency soon after taking off. In less than a quarter of an hour 900 gallons of petrol had boon dumped at heights of between 4000 ft. and 2000 ft. The trim of the Mercury \vns not affected.

It is understood that experimental flights will be made over tho Atlantic early this summer without any intermediary flights, along the Empire routes. 4

I NEW WORLD FLIGHT MRS. KIRBY GREEN'S PLAN C. W. A. SCOTT CO-PILOT [from a special correspondent] ' .. LONDON, May 11 Mrs. " Kirby Green, who "took part in the record-breaking flight from England to the Cape and back, is planning another flight, this time with Mr. C. W. A. Scott as co-pilot. "Our route," she said this week, "will follow the prevailing westerly winds. We shall flv from London to Russia, across Siberia and the Bering Straits to America; then across the United States to New York, and over the Atlantic back to London." A new QG twin-engined air liner, designed by Captain C. W. Porcival, has been chosen. Two Gipsy six 220 horsepower air-cooled engines will be used. A cruising speed of 175 miles an hour is assured. With this range the route, never before attempted, can he flown in about four days with day-and-night flying.

ABORIGINAL TWINS BIRTH IN AUSTRALIA [rilOSl OUR OWN' COIIII KSI'OXDKNTj SYDNEY, May 23 Hosy Turnoff, a full-blooded aborigine, of the Presbyterian Mission Station on Mornington Island, in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Northern Australia, who has 10 grandchildren, has given birth to twins. Bosv is credited with having the largest family among Australian aborigines. Her progeny rtow number 15. Tho chief protector of aborigines, Mr. J. W. Bleakly, said that aboriginal twins are rare. Ho has sent Rosy a message of congratulations on behalf of the "Big Fella Guvment," and has told., her that the Government has put £5 to her credit.