A TON OF FRUIT GIFT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20611, 9 January 1929, Page 8

A TON OF FRUIT GIFT.

QUEEN TO GIVE IT TO HOSPITALS CITY MARKET EXTENSION. The Queen recently opened with a golden key the new Spitalfieldg fruit and vegetable market. In performing the ceremony, and in reopening afterwards the restored Old Hall at Lincoln’s Inn (eays the Daily Chronicle) she took the place of the King, whose sudden indisposition confined him to bed. With the Queen was the Duke of York, whose coining was a happy surprise for everybody at Spitalflelds. Thu Queen received a f loyal address from the city, presented by the Lord Mayor (Sir J. E. Kynaston Studd) in his ermine and scarlet, with old-time ceermony of bended knee and a full display of tin; city’s ancient, pomp. HELPING EMPIRE TRADE. The King’s reply, read by Lord Cromer, the Lord Chamberlain, said: The enterprise of the corporation in acquiring and Spitalfiejds Market was undoubtedly, hoth wise and timely.' Recent years have'seen in this country a. very large increase in the consumption of fruit and vegetables, and modern scientific authorities are agreed that this change in the habits of "the people is tobc welcomed and encouraged. If the new Spitalflelds Market securely establishes-, London as the, chief centre for the distribution of imported fruit and vegetables—a position which I fear was threatened—this extension will be of more than national importance, it will be a service, to the cause of interImperial trade and to the whole Ebpire. Among those presented to the Queen were Mr J. Whitehead, aged <S2, the oldest tenant in the market,, who has had his place there for more than half a century. The Queen, was asked by. Mr F. O. Bradley, on behalf of the Market Tenants’ Association, to accept a special display of fruits surmounted by a cane model of a ship filed with fruit. She laughed when she saw what a great amount of fruit, nearly a ton, she was being presented with. “It looks wonderful,” she said,. “ but such a lot to deal with. However, if you will kindly send it to the Palace I shall be abL to decide what to do with it.” NEW TOY FOR THE PRINCESS. It is understod that the Queen intends to distribute most of the fruit, valued at £l2O, among hospitals, it is likely that the ship will be added to Princess Elizabeth’s Collection of toys. One of the least familiar fruits seen by the Queen in her tour of the market was the “ palm fruit.” It had no mystery for her, however. “ I believe that the berries of that strange fruit are crushed for their oil, of which soap and margarine are made,” she observed. “Your Majesty is quite right,” the official who had brought it to her notice rather surprisedly agreed. THE KING’S REGRET. Sir Thomas Hughes, K.C., in welcoming the Queen, pointed out that early lagt century the Hall suffered grievous defacements, and added: “ It is a matter of some pride that the work of restoration which presented some difficulty, has been carried safely to completion by the society’s own workmen under the skilful supervision of Sir John Simpson.”

The Lord Chamberlain, Lord Cromer, read the reply of the King, the Senior Bencher:

On this day—a landmark in the life of the Inn—l should have been specially glad to be with you in this ancient hall, the threshold of which no Sovereign has crossed since Charles II was admitted a member in 1671. We are all proud of our Old Hall and rejoice in the restoration to its former beauty. In performing the ceremony the Queen said: “In confidence that this Old Hall will now resume its integral part of the corporate life of Lincoln's Inn, I have much pleasure in declaring it open."