PRESENTED TO THE KING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3364, 4 September 1918, Page 40

PRESENTED TO THE KING.

Miss Elsie Rogen, born and educated in New Zealand, writes to" her father, Mr Fred Rogen (now in Victoria) from the Richmond Hospital, England, as follows: I got a great surprise yesterday morning when Sir Frederick Treves, the eminent surgeon, cam© to mo in my ward, and said: ''-Nurse, I am going to present you to the King and Queen this afternoon—they are visiting the Star and Garter." I said, "Oh, Sir Frederick, I am excited j why this honour"? "Because you aro the oldest (not in years) V.A.D. here, and being a New Zealander, the King and Queen fir© very interested in your country." Well, we all got fairly excited as the hospital had to be put in order for their Majesties' visit to the patients. Lady Haig arrived at_ 2.30 with her baby son, and wo were all introduced and talked to her. Wo made a fuss of the Field Marshal's baby, of course. Then at 3.50 the Royal party arrived. After we had curtsied to them, Sir Frederick Treves presented me to the King and then to the Queen. They talked to mo much longer than ever I expected, and were very interested about New Zealand. They asked me if I was born out there, and when I came over to England. The King is fine, and I felt at my ease immediately they started talking to me. It seemed quite funny to bo saying "Ma'm" and "Sir" to them. I • felt' that it would have been much easier to say "Tour Majesty." My word, I did feel honoured. . I'm sure you never thought I'd be presented to the King and Queen. I'm so glad I've stayed so long in this hospital, I'm so lucky to have been hers when, they came. I've got Sir Frederick Treves to thank for the honour; he is a great champion for the V.A.D.'s.