MAYORAL RECEPTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15764, 15 May 1913, Page 4

MAYORAL RECEPTION.

■' A POPULAR SOCIAL GATHERING. His Worship the Mayor (Mr W'. Downio Stewart) and Mis Stewart gave a public reception to the citizens of Dunedin in the Art Gallery Hall yesterday afternoon. The building, which specially lends itself to adornment for occasions of this kind, had been'most tastefully and thoroughly decorated with art musiin, Japanese devices, and a profusion ot palms, pot plants, and (lowers. Carpet squares, with drawing room chairs and tables added to the comfort of the scene, and formed convenient centres for social groups of friends. The idea of the reception proved a remarkably popular one, and from shortly after 3 olclock onwards hundreds of citizens streamed in lo accept the Mayor's hospitality. 'Bio gathering included not only city councillors and leading citizens ■of every rank and profession, but also hundreds of people in humbler stations of life who evidently entertain kind.y feelings for the host of the afternoon. There was no formality or speech-making about the proceedings. The visitors came and went between the Art Gallery Hall and the adjoining picture gallery, in which afternoon tea was served. An excellent musical programme, including several vocal items, was submitted by Mrs Reggiardo, who had charge of a strong and most efficient orchestra. The sealing accomodation wus soon overtaxed, and by half-past 4 o'clock the gathering was largo enough to crowd not oniy the hall, but the three adjoining picture galleries as well. The wideness of the response to ihe Mayor's invitation proved in itself that the idea was a very happily conceived one. and the gathering certainly served the desirable purpose of bringing the citizens as a whole more closeiy into touch with their highest municipal representative.