“ALIEN’S” LETTER FROM ENGLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3513, 12 July 1921, Page 49

“ALIEN’S” LETTER FROM ENGLAND.

(Special!}’ Written for the Ladies’ Page.) THE “OFF” SEASON. May 9. j One blow alter another fails upon the j unfortunate public through the coal strike, i Train after train has been cut off, and | all excursions for Whitsuntide are “off,” and not only will there be no additional trains, but from to-day the curtailed—very much curtailed—service is to be further “cut” and most of the Sunday service suspended. After the railways, the river !_ It is stated that, owing to the coal trouble, the Royal Sovereign will be unable to begin at Whitsuntide its daily service to Southend and Margate. 'J he hotels favoured by business men are full to overflowing in London. It was thought that the general slump in business and curtailment of trains would have the effect of emptying the hotels, but it has had the opposite effect, for business men, instead of returning to outlying districts by other means than their usual train, are remaining in town altogether til! the ordinary service is restored. The Bloomsbury hotels are crowded by w.ell-te-do business men from the near Midlands, who, instead of going home every night, now return only at the week-ends. It is the fashionable hotels that are sufier- | ing through the check to the London season. ' One train only is running for Calais, Boulogne, Ostend, and Flushing service, and seats in Continental trains are only I booked to “permit” holders. Many people j who wintered on the Continent- are delay ! ing their return to England till either the coal strike is over or warm weather — overdue—sets in. The one bright spot in the labour conflict is the decision of the railwaymen not to come out on strike m August, when | the Government control of the railways will cease, and the railway companies will | be forced to reduce working expenses. The ; men decide that the Government have i been generous to them, and that they | must accept a reduction of their high I wages. They _ wisely recognise the fact j that once “out would mean dismissal for I good. Thousands of men and overpaid youths could easily be dispensed with, and for every efficient vacancy there is an efficient man waiting for the opportunity. Yesterday, May 8, was “Chestnut Sunday,” and thousands went down to see the mile-long avenue of chestnuts in bloom at Bushy Park (adjoining Hampton Court). Although the day was not ideal, this is one of London’s flower festivals, and to miss it is to miss one of the sights of the spring. By tramways from Hammersmith and by motor bus the pilgrimage was made by the Nature-lovers. ' The seaside resorts are hit hard by the curtailed railway service and the consequent absence of “week-enders.” Torquay estimates its loss already at £2OOO, | and it will be increased to £IO,COO during j Whitsuntide Week. All the West Coun- | try long-distance resorts are suffering equally. Folkstone, Dover, Deal, Westgate, Margate, Broadstairs, Ramsgate, and the other numerous seaside health resorts of the east and south-east coasts have a like tale to tell. A: an important goif competition of St. George’s, Sandwich, on Saturday, when, on like occasions, the quaint old towns of Deal and Sandwich axe crowded with visitors, there were none except wealthy folk who went and returned by their car. Saturday saw the introduction of the English sporting season, and crowd -, including the Prince of Wales, watched the cricket match at the Oval between the Australians and Surrey, the Prince afterwards motoring to the grounds of the Worcester Park Club, which has been taken over by the Hurlingharn Club, where he played in members’ games. Hurlingham, which was used during the war as a camp, and the stables for army horses, has been restored to its old-time beauty. Its trees and gardens and lake were, of course, untouched, and the neglected lawns have been restored to their velvet smoothness and emerald greenness. Also new stands have been added, which afford extra accommodation for some, thosuands. Ranelagli Club was also at its perfection for tho opening of the season. On Saturday the Duke of York and his brother, Prince Henry, visited Eanelagli to see the Americans in their trial

match. Prince Henry is a keen polo player. The lawns of Hurlingharn and Ranelagh have always been famous meeting places for society, and a display of the loveliest toilettes of the season. After Ascot, Hurlingham was the destination of “dream” frocks and picture hats. And while this is still so, the “sports girl” has introduced the newest fashion, and given a new note to the lawns. Not to present a picture, but to participate in the interest of matches the sports girl is present, and there can be no doubt that lawn tennis, golf, hockey, swimming, cricket, and, last, football has linked her interests more closely and more com-panionably with men’s, as well as developing a stronger and healthier and consequently saner girl. But there are many who think that this development can be carried too far, to the loss of the feminine graces. However, go where you may, the sports girl is there. And now that we have young sporting princes at the clubs, she will be there the more. Socially the season so far has been nothing but a “put off.” Every day court functions and smart social affairs are postponed, and hope deferred is making the heart of the debutante sick. And the dressmakers are on the verge of bankruptcy, for nobody is ordering any new frocks, those for the first courts and receptions not yet having been used. The arrival on Saturday of the Japanese Crown Prince was hailed socially with pleasure, for the entertainments on his behalf will set things moving a little. In a message to the British nation Prince Hiroliito expressed himself profoundly touched by the welcome be had i-eceived at the British ports en route form East to West, and his admiration for the achievements of the British nation in the past, and “the moral grandeur to which they rose in the last great war.’’ Knowing the strictness of the Japanese etiquette and the mystery which surrounds the Throne, unofficial people hardly expected to get a. glimpse of the “Heaven Horn, but were surprised to find the young man in naval uniform on deck, and the illusion of mystery was dispelled. Not many years ago it was forbidden to look at the Emperor. But Oriental mystery is going'the way of all other mystery. The I’iince of Wales went down to Portsmouth on Sunday to greet the Japanese Crown Prince, and travelled up to London with him this morning. There he was met by the King and the Duke of York at Victoria Station, with whom he drove to Buckingham Palace through troop-lined streets, the crowds giving him a cordial welcome. It was a bright sun-lit morning, and London looked cheerful, its troubles unapparent to tlie stranger. At Buckingham Palace the Queen and Princess Mary welcomed the Roval visitor, and after luncheon he paid a- visit to Queen Alexandra and members of die Royal Family, after which 4 he visited Westminster Abbey and the cenotaph to pay tribute to our honoured dead. The King and Queen were present at the Albert Hall on Saturday afternoon for Dame Nellie (Melba’s farewell concert before she leaves for her home in Australia. With their Majesties were Princess Mary, Princess Christian, Lady Patricia Ramsay, Pi-nee Gustav of Denmark, and a large party in attendance. The hall was packed, 10,000 at least being present. Madame Melba had a- wonderful reception and send off. She wore a beautiful gown of jade green channelise, made with a short pointed train, and a tulle scarf to match. In her hair she had diamond ornaments, and wore a rope of pearls and a black chain with pearl tassel. On her first appearance she carried a small fan, which she later discarded for a- bunch of lilies of the valley, and on the third appearance a small Victorian bouquet. Despite the passing of years Melba’s voice is still the voice of “opals gan.with Marguerite in ’Faust,” and she held her audience spell-bound. She began with Marguerite in ‘Foust,” and she was Mimi in “Tioheme.” Then followed Remsky-Korsakoff’s “Indian Chant” and Rachmaninoff’s “Spring Waters,” two Russian songs she has made favourites. Them came Tosti’s “Good-bye.” But she said in a speech, amid great enthusiasm, “good-bye for ever” was not to be taken literally. She expects to be back in a year. “Home Sweet Home” and “Coinin’ Through the Rye” to ner own accompaniment brought thunders of applause.