VICTORIA LEAGUE BALL

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11739, 29 January 1924, Page 5

VICTORIA LEAGUE BALL

Major the Hon. John Aster and Lady Violet Astor lent their beautiful house in Carlton terrace tor the Victoria League’s annual ball, which took place last night <saya an Australian, in Ixindon, on December 13th). The Prince of Wales came, as usual, and appeared to enjoy himself very much. He danced first with Lady Violet Astor’s sister. Lady Cromer, a slim figure, in a gold net dress, and some fine emeralds in a bandeaux in her hair. His next partner was a girl in a gold flock, with dark hair shingled in the new 1 style, and with her he danced several times. She was a new arrival in London, having come only the day before with her mother from Canada, and they were staying at the fiitz. Mdlle. Herbert is a French-Canadian, whom His Royal Highness met in Quebec, a nicelooking girl of a sparkling personality and. brignt intellect.

Many distinguished hostesses brought parties. Lady Novar’s party included Lady Carmichael and Miss Carmichael? and Lady Ursula Blackwood, of - Australian interest; and Lady Gould Adams was with Lady Dawkins. Lady Allen (N.Z.), Mrs Ashboll (Tasmania), Lady Connolly (W.A.), and Mrs P. H. Oeborne (Sydney) all brought large parties. The Duohess of Portland danced continuously, wearing blue and white brocade. Miss Diana Lascelles, who came with Lady Milner and Lady Dorothy MacMillan, were among the pretty women present. Lady Chelmsford, Lady Garvagh, and Lady Shaftesbury were all wearing magnificent jewels. Lady McCormick (Sydney) had the honour of being presented to the Prince of Wales. She brought her daughters, Alison, in pale pink velvet, and Mona, in mauve crepe, shading to pink embroideries. Mrs Drayton, 0.8. E., the secretary of the league, was busy making presentations and looking after everyone. Lady Dynevor, Lady Haroourt. Lord and Lady Leigh, the Dowager Countess of Jersey, of course, Sir Archibald and Lady Weigall, and Mr and Mrs Rudyard Kioling were also among those of overseas interest, and so was Lady Galway. The attendance was rather intense at the beginning. The wonderful ballroom, .panelled in cerise brocade, made a pretty setting for the dancers, while those who did not dance had a treat in being able to see the famous pictures in the different reception rooms. The Victoria League, as you know, does much in the cause of Empire, especially in propaganda lectures to the working and village centres. It also does a great deal from the social side in putting visiore and Imperialists here in touch with each other. . Mrs Stanley Baldwin, wife of the Prime Minister, received the guests, and was wearing -black and gold.

MIBS STELLA MURRAY

It is about two years since Miss Stella Murray gave her first London recital, says the London "Daily Telegraph” of December Bth. Her third —given on Thursday at the Aeoliari Hall—showed pretty conclusively that .she has made the best possible use of the interval. The fine qualities* of her voice were, of course, evident from the first. It is of true contralto quality and colour, rich and Teoonant, but also pliable and mellow in a rare degree. It has gained something in T’ichnoss and expressive power, but it is in her interpretation that Miss Murray shows most clearly the result of her studies and experience. Such a thing as Dvorak’s "God is my Shepherd,” which 6ho Ming, also at her first concert, revealed far riper style and power of expression. in spito of the fact that Miss Murray was suffering from a cold. Fortunately her later performances showed no sign of discomfort, and the group of Hugo Wolf’s songs was admirably sung. One in particular—the finest of the group, 'Gome Mary .take Comfort”—was an exquisite pieeo of vocalisation; a great song, and a reading worthy of its greatness. Miss Murray gave us other charming and finished performances—notably, of a delightful song of Mr Craxton’s and of Mr Hughes's finely pointed and whimsical “The Terrible Robber Men.” Altogether, n recital of very exceptional attraction, to which interest was added by Mr Harold Craxton, whoso playing of music of early Britiish composers was just what the heart of the true lover of music desires.

SYDNEY SURF-BATH EES. At the Manly and Coogee Beaches Q-tol is now in ranch demand as a protection against Sunburn and Mosquitoes. Frequent shipments are made from New Zealand, and ‘the Sydney publio is rapid* ly realising the many varied nses of Qhtol for all founs of skin irritation.—Advt.