FIRST RECEPTIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26748, 17 April 1948, Page 6

FIRST RECEPTIONS

MISS WOOTTON IN LONDON N.Z.F.A, Special Correspondent LONDON, Apl. 15. Three receptions marked her first day in London for Miss Mary Wootton (“Miss New Zealand”). The first was when she met the press and was welcomed officially to Britain by Admiral Sir Sidney Fremantle, representing the Royal Society of St. George, and Mr Jordan. The'second was when she was received by the Lord Mayor of London, Sir Frederick Wells, at the Mansion House, and the third when the British Overseas Airways Corporation gave a cocktail party for her at the Dorchester Hotel, Sir Sidney Fremantle, in extending a warm welcome, described Miss Wootton as “a very worthy representative of New Zealand,” and praised New Zealand for its generosity to the Old Country. Mr Jordan assured her that she would receive a welcome in Britain similar to that extended to New Zealand servicemen during the war, and declared she had the qualities of “ strength, wisdom and beauty.” He mentioned that New Zealand was sending Britain 13,000,000 lambs this year. With the arrival of “ Mary ” he felt that some revision of the old nursery rhyme was indicated.