FROM A CLUBMAN’S CHAIR

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20514, 4 September 1936, Page 4

FROM A CLUBMAN’S CHAIR

YEOMEN BUSY WITH RAZORS MEN WHO HIRE THEIR CLOTHES Specialty written for “ The Ttmaru Herald" by Charles Martin) LONDON, July 23 King Edward has been faithful to his father’s choice in ordering another Daimler as his new State car; and he has, of course, maintained the traditional State colour of maroon, with a thin red line. But inside the new car is very different from the State cars built for King George. He and Queen Mary, on their State drives, used to sit on two rather small and uncomfortable chairs side by side in the front part of the saloon, while equerries occupied the more comfortable back seats. The arrangement enabled people to get a good view of the Sovereign as they drove past. He Prefers Comfort King Edward has had this seating changed in his new car, built to his own specifications. He sits in comfort in the back seat, with an equerry beside him. Two more Court officials can be accommodated in front when occasion requires their presence. The car has been fitted for utility as well as comfort. Beside the King’s seat are concealed receptacles for writing materials, so that he can attend to State business as he travels. The lighting, too, has been specially designed to enable such work to be done at night when necessary. Getting A “Close-Up” Perhaps some of the London crowds may be disappointed at not getting such a good view of King Edward on his State drives as they used to get of King George. But the new King makes up for that by his affable, man-to-man way of chatting to people wherever he goes. He is always human, never “gracious.” In any case, those who like a real “close-up” of the King in regal state will get it during the Coronation ceremonies next year. The various State drives then will be made in the great gilded coach. Tips Aboard the Queen Mary As I write, the Queen Mary is having a few days’ attention from the engineers, in the hope of at last beating the Atlantic record. Nautical patriots who were so confident she would win that coveted Blue Riband straight away are not the only people now feeling a little disappointed in the great liner. Her stewards share their disgruntletnent. The gilt of novelty is off the gingerbread. Quite ordinary people are now travelling in the Queen Mary —and tips have dropped with a bump. I heard of one first-class steward who netted more than £l5O on the maiden voyage. The second trip, out and back, brought him a paltry £5O. Not too bad, I should say, for eight or nine days’ work; but you have to remember that tips are a steward's real living. His actual pay is only £8 a month.

Money Out of Hats The hatter who supplied generations of Eton boys with their characteristic “toppers” has just died leaving £lO,OOO. He was not the only man to make big money out of top-hats. There are two or . three firms in London which make thousands of pounds a year out of the obsolescent “topper,” and the morning dress that goes with it. And it is money made not from selling, but from hiring. Borowed Finery. Ascot and the Royal Garden Party are the two biggest top-hat occasions in London’s social year, but there are a number of other smaller functions which also call for the ceremonial gear which so few Englishmen possess nowadays. Hence the market for hired hats and clothes. I have been told that during Ascot week no fewer than 5,000 men wear hats and clothes that don’t belong to them. It costs £2/13/6 to hire a rig-out for the four days of the race meeting—so there is money in it for the hiring firms. Among the Moth-Balls Of course, there are months on end when all these thousands of morning suits and silk hats remain among the moth-balls earning no money. But Ascot makes up for weeks of unprofitable idleness; and then there are weddings, funerals and private parties to earn a little money during the rest of the year. So when next you see Londoners gathered together in formal dress you may reflect that probably more than half those suits and hats don’t belong to the wearers, but have in the course of their careers earned many guineas for many men. Complete with Footmen And talking of being aristocratic by hire, there are firms nowadays that will lend you all the appurtenances of a party, Including butler, footmen and maids. All you have to provide is the guests—and the money. A butler generally costs about a guinea for the evening, and a qualified chef the same. Footmen are cheaper -15/- each, including livery. Some firms will quote you an all-in-figure for a party at so much per head, including both the “eats” and the servants. The Beard Question It appears that beards are, after all, not popular with the Yeomen of the Guard. When the King first gave permission for the men of his picturesque, bearded bodyguard to shave, we were told that many of them would not part with their beards. But latest advices fom the Yeomen’s headquarters say that 90 out of the 100 men in the Bodyguard have been to the barber’s. The "younger set” (those under 60) went as soon as the King gave permission, and most of the elders followed. Now there are only ten. led by an old die-hard of 85, who still stick to beards. Half-way to Nationalisation Overseas visitors with a liking for Britain's historic places will be the first, to welcome the new plan being worked out by the National Trust for the preservation of famous mansions I Nowadays so many owners of “stately

homes of England” cannot afford to keep them in repair. The National Trust has a plan for providing the necessary money, and owners who accept this help will be asked in return to allow visitors to look over the!, famous homes. ' The idea comes from Belgium, where maty of the old chateaux were rapidly decaying until the Impoverished owners organised a kind of “National Trust” to preserve them.