GAY PAGEANTRY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18583, 18 December 1934, Page 5

GAY PAGEANTRY

WELLINGTON EN FETE VISIT OF THE'PRINCE VICEREGAL GARDEN PARTY (Special to the Herald.) WELLINGTON, this day. Wellingtonians are congratulating themselves over the brilliant summer whidt has arrived so early, making matters easier for everyone concerned in the celebrations associated with Prince Henry’s visit. The arrival of the Grenadier Guards Band yesterday added another touch to the gay pageantry of the streets. The garden party at Government House tendered by His Excellency the Governor-General and Lady Bledisloe will long be remembered as the brightest and most brilliant social function in the capital. There was sunshine without wind, and thus the spacious lawns were fully available for the several thousand guests who made the most of these splendid opportunities for social intercourse. Perfect summer conditions encouraged bright dresses, and there was a wonderfully pretty display of frocks —lace, georgette, and chiffons predominating under these pleasant circumstances. Then there were the contrasts of male attire, with its severely limited color scheme, though a representative attendance of naval and military heads helped out the great color picture, finally rounded off when the Grenadier Guards Band, under Major, Millar, appeared irx their 'scarlet uniforms and took up a position on the tennis lawn. PLEASANT EASY MANNER The guests were thrilled by the band’s performance of bright selections, Gilbert and Sullivan gems predominating, and pi’esented with a richness of tone and color that evoked enthusiastic applause. The ■ final item, the , National Anthem, played in the presence of Prince Henry, who stood near the band, was a revelation in musical expression. The guests, on arrival, filed past the official party on the lawn under the welcome shade of the trees. They were first greeted by" the Governor-General and Lady Bledisloe, and then announced to jPrince Henry, who acknowledged the bows and curtseys with a bow, which never tired l in its accompaniment of a genial smile. Afternoon tea was served buffet style in the spacious ballroom and other airy portions of Government House, the guests being permitted to wander freely • through the drawing-room and beautiful conservatory, and the principal rooms of the viceregal residence. A great majority of the guests soon returned to the lawns to hear the choice musical programme from the Guards Band, and also to have the pleasure of seeing Prince Henry escorted around the assemblage by the Governor-General and the Hon. J. A. Young, Minister in charge of the Royal tour. They frequently presented distinguished people to tire Royal visitor, who, brief as he appears to be in. his public speeches, has a pleasant, easy, manner when meeting New Zealanders face to face. Another interesting feature of this great gathering was the remarkably efficient organisation, ’ which enabled every guest to enjoy refreshments witnout the slightest crowding, while the problem presented by many hundreds who preferred to drive their own cars to Government House was again solved by perfect control and the heroic method of throwing open all the back lawns as parking places for ownerdriven cars. *•