COURT OF MAY 12

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23517, 4 June 1938, Page 31

COURT OF MAY 12

NEW ZEALANDERS PRESENTED BRILLIANT SETTING (From Our Own Correspondent) (By Air Mail) LONDON, May 14. It is the impression of one New Zealand debutante that, after the Coronation, there is no function of State that can touch a Court for brilliance and beauty of effect. The arrangements are, of course, perfect, and under the guidance of the Lord Chamberlain, the entire presentation ceremony in the great white and gold ballroom passes off without a hitch. The Earl of Cromer, at this Court, was there officially for the last time. The next Lord Chamberlain to announce the names will be the Earl of Clarendon. The term “throne room ' is generally used, but it has been revealed that this description is not strictly accurate. From the dining room the King and Queen and their royal guests, attended by the uniformed officers of their household, with Lord Cromer at their head, walk to the ballroom at the other end of thd palace. Lord Cromer, with his traditional wand of office, and other officials lead the way. and, walking .backwards. usher their Majesties to the thrones. On duty were the four Indian officers drawn from Gurkha regiments appointed to attend the King throughout the summer as his orderlies on all State occasions. Brilliantly uniformed, too, were the Honourable Corps of Gentle-men-at-Arms, the King's renowned bodyguard The Queen wore a gown of gold lame, richly embroidered with sequins and diamante in floral design. The train was of gold material, embroidered in Indian work. Her necklace, bracelets, and tiara were all of rubies and diamonds. Mrs W. J. Jordan presented the following New Zealanders: —Miss Jean Batten, Miss Noela Cable, Miss April Hargreaves. Miss M’eudail Hutchison, Miss Nita Reid, Miss Nelle M. Scanlan, Miss Norah Tipping, and Miss Moira West. The Hon. Mrr Tahu Rhodes attended to present her daughter, Miss Maureen Rhodes, as well as Mrs Julian Marks and Miss Marks. Mrs Jordan looked very attractive

in a princess gown of “oyster” metal cloqua of the tint that seems to possess a delicate pink glow. Its trimming was a large flower of its own fabric, and the same cloque was used to border the transparent train of delicately pink-tinted georgette. Mrs Jordan wore the regulation veil and plumes, and she carried a cream feather fan. In the absence of the High Commissioner, who is in Geneva, she was escorted by Rear-admiral A. Bromley, of the Dominion office. Miss Batten was a striking figure in a classical gown of white satin, faintly shaded with eau-de-nil, embroidered with iridescent pearl and diamante in a floral design, the cowl corsage held by plaited straps. Her train of the same satin was embroidered with diamante in a wing design, and lined with eau-de-nil chiffon. She carried a bouquet of lilies-of-the-valley, and wore a becoming tiara in addition to plumes and veil. Miss Cable, who has been studying dress-designing in London, designed and made her own presentation dress of white and silver brocade, the bodice of which was draped to a point at the waistband and fastened down the back. The silver-embroidered brocade train, following the design of the brocade, was attached to the shoulder, and formed part of a draping at the back.

Miss Hargreaves wore a dainty dress of white silk net, made with a full skirt, sashed with taffetas, and finished with shoulder flowers of white and silver. The train of white chiffon and taffetas was trimmed with white and silver flowers. A feather fan was carried. Miss Hutchison was In a gown of powder-blue chiffon, embroidered with crystal and diamante stars. Her train of the same material was trimmed at the hem with bands of ruched chiffon. She carried a sheaf of white carnations and blush pink roses. Miss Reid looked dainty in a waspwaisted Winterhalter period frock of white chiffon, taffeta and tulle. The faille bodice was laced, and its deep basque covered the knife-pleated tulle skirt. The train was of tulle. A Hyde Park green fan was carried. Miss Scanlon wore a very becoming dress of silver lame, interwoven with saxe blue, the same rich hue being repeated m velvet in the leaf design of the silver lame train. A fan of white ostrich was carried. Miss West chose an Empire gown of stiff moire satin, parchment-tinted, with train of the same material, the scalloped hemline being defined by ruching. The train was attached to the shoulders with bows. She carried a bouquet of pink carnations and maiden-hair fern. The Hon. Mrs Tahu Rhodes wore a gown of orchid crepe, simple in design, with train to tone. Her daughter’ was in a picture gown of ivory moire, with train of the same material.