SOCIAL NOTES.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18614, 9 July 1930, Page 4

SOCIAL NOTES.

Mr A. G. W. Ross, Gore, is staying at the Grand. It was decided not to hold a Hunt Club ball this year. Mrs S. I. Fitch has returned to Waimate from Christchurch. Mrs Reid, Dunedin, is the guest of Mrs E. Howden, Park Lane. Mr and Mrs A. B. McDonald motored to the Grand from Dunedin. Mrs G. D. Virtue, Elizabeth Street, has returned from a trip to Australia. Mr and Mrs A. S. Preston (N.S.W.), arrived at the Grand from the Hermitage. Mrs R. A. Holdgate, Park Lane, who is on a visit to Christchurch, is expected home to-day. Miss J. Crust (Dunedin), Miss I. L. Hiron. Miss M. R. Menzies (Christchurch) are at the Grand The Misses McLean, Waimate, are spending a few days with Mrs C. F. W. Hamilton, Irishman’s Creek. Mr and Mrs G. E. T. Shand, accompanied by Misses Shand (2), Kaikoura, arrived at the Grand for a brief visit to Timaru. Mrs N. A. Rattray, Waimate, is spending a few days in Christchurch, as the guest of Mrs G. Helmore, Milbrook, Christchurch. Miss Beth Hope, who has been staying with Mrs Herbert Elworthy, Craigmore, left for the Bluff on Monday, en route for Melbourne. Mrs James Grant, Grey’s Hills, who spent the week-end with Mrs A. Grant, “Aigantighe," Wai-iti Road, returned home on Monday. Mrs George Moody, “Cintra,” Loburn Ferry, Central Otago, who has been spending a few days with Mrs G. E. Gabites, Wai-iti Road, returned south on Monday. Mrs Mathieson and Miss Mona Mathieson, “TighnafeileWai-iti Road, who have been staying with Mrs Charles Cresswell, Lismore, have returned to Kurow. Miss K. Shires, formerly of Geraldine, who has been on a visit to Timaru, has left for Christchurch, where will be the guest of Mrs H. G. Livingstone, Riccarton Road. The Hon. Charlotte Knollys, for many years the confidential friend of Queen Alexandra, died in her flat in South Audley Street, West, recently. Despite her great age, she has been in comparatively good health until a few days before she died. She was a Woman of the Bedchamber to Queen Alexandra from 1870 to 1925, and on her Majesty’s death she retired to her flat, where she lived very quietly. “My Beloved Charlotte” or “Chatty,” as Queen Alexandra frequently called her, served her mistress to the day of her death, and there existed between them a unique friendship. On one occasion, Queen Alexandra created a precedent by refusing to leave London for Sandringham at Christmas in consequence of the illness of her confidante. “Having frequently had occasion in years gone by to consult the Hon. Charlotte Knollys,” says a well-known writer on royalty.

“I can testify not only to her discretion and to her absolute devotion to Queen Alexandra, but to her frank and easy manner.” There was no “side” about Miss Knollys in personal interviews, and she answered letters in her own beautiful handwriting. One of the secrets of the deep affection in which Miss Knollys was held by her royal mistress was her happy and sympathetic way in regarding royalty as human beings. Miss Knollys will be deeply mourned in Denmark, for she accompanied Queen Alexandra on visits “home” some forty times.