NEW ZEALAND TALENT IN LONDON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16494, 3 August 1921, Page 11

NEW ZEALAND TALENT IN LONDON.

RECEPTION AT NEW ZEAEANO HOUSE. TO WELCOME THE PRIME MINISTER. [Fhom Oxnt Correspondent.] LONDON, June 11. As a change from the ordinary sort of social functions —which to tell the truth are usually attended by the same set of people every time —tho High Commissioner and Lady Allen had th© excellent idea, that a gathering of all the talents would bo of special interest to tho Prime Minister, Mrs and Miss Massey. Hence it was that the reception at New' Zealand House on Friday provided a fine proof of the many spheres of art in w'hich New Zealand is making good. There were present not only New Zealand artists and literary stars hero on visit but those—and there are now quite a number of such—who are permanently settled and making good in the great hub of th© universe, London. The star probably most known to the public at large is Miss Rosina Buckman, the prima donna. She and her husband, M. Maurice Doi&ly, were there, and talking of the pleasure W’hich they are looking forward to their forthcoming tour in the Dominion. Miss Buckman was surprised to find that the Prime Minister remembered her quite ; well, although it is a number of years since he saw' her in New' Zealand. Mis 9 May Beatty, from Daly’s, looked in for a few moments. Mr Shayle Gardner, actor and film producer, t*> whom credit must he given for suggesting a gathering of this kind, Mr and Mrs Wielant, Miss Maisie Evans, from the Haymarket. Of singers here was a good muster too: —Miss Stella Murray, back after a .delightful time at the Riviera, where Dame Melba entertained her ; Miss Dlllcie Mitchell, now working with Sir Henry Woods, who has expressed the highest opinion of her powers; Miss Nora Delmarr, whose very successful concert at the Wigmore Hall, the other day, launched her fully on the great stream of London's musical world. Mrs Bartley-Baxter, who has, too, been giving recitals in London, was there with her husband. Mr Baxter, the violinist, who modestly confesses that there’s lots to learn in London. Of the pictorial arts there wore if goodly number of representatives. Mr and Mrs Cecil Kelly, pleased in the possession (temporary) of a studio in Kensington; Mr and Mrs C. Worsley, and Mr Worsley exhibited some mouths ago at th© Canterbury Exhibition—were there. Air Raymond M’lntyre looked the artist of the day in appearance. He confesses to no admiration of the R.A. in art, but is a fervent admirer of the new school. He waxed eloquent on the colour of Edinburgh and the Scottish atmospheric tones, and spent some tirno advising visiting New Zealand artists op no account to miss going north. Mr Will Farrow was there and Mr Harry Rountree, .artists* who have made their own niche in tho hard fought field of London art; Miss Grace JO2I. back from Paris, where her picture of Miss Violet Levy was hung, and Miss Levy hcreclf was there in the flesh. Mr and Mrs Hellaby, who have achieved tho distinction of both being “ hung” this year at th© Academy, Mr Hellaby* having no fewer than three, and Mrs Hellaby, under her own namo of Ruth Hollingsworth, exhibited two. Other artists present wereMr Will H-ope, of the ‘ 1 Sunday Chronicle,” Mr W. A. Bowring, one of the Chelsea Arts Club group, Mr Cecil Jameson, and Mrs Herbert Bailey. Of the sister art there was* too, a goodly gathering. Dr Harold Williams, the distinguished journalist, who has made tho Near East and Russia his field; Mr Reginald Berkele}', associated w ith the “ Round Table ” and League of Nations; Miss Manrler, author of “ The Story of a New' Zealand River,” 1 were all present. Fleet Street con- ' tributed its quota of guests too. Mr A. 1 L. Lees cam© front t * l -The Times,” Mr J. P. White]aw from iha u Daily Mail,” and Mr F. W; Dqidrre from the “ Express.” Miss Jeusi© Weston, who writes under tho nom do plum© of E. do Thierry. Miss Alice Evans of tho N.Z.A.P., and Mr T. J. Pemberton, of Dunedin, and Miss CYighton Imrie, Miss Bright, the writer on stock in the “ New Zealand Farmer.” The Prim© Minister and Mrs Massey wore extraordinarily pleaded with this gathering of all th© talents. Miss Ma>sev, too, is being persuaded to join tho artistic world, and to take again to the pen, for which she had quite a pretty knack “ before tho war.” Laxly Allen and her daughters were active co-operators with her in making this interesting 1 ‘ At Home ” a most enjoyable function. Mr Thomson, private secretary, and Mr Drew, of the Prime Minister’s staff, were also present.