Auckland At Last; Southern Beauties Nearing The Test.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18000, 10 November 1926, Page 1

Auckland At Last; Southern Beauties Nearing The Test.

PEOPLE HANG OUT OF WINDOWS, WHILE MOUNTED POLICE KEEP CROWDS BACK. (Special to the “ Star.”) AUCKLAND, November 10. While thousands packed the roadway in front of the railway station, and girls hung out from top-storey windows intent on catching a glimpse of the beauties, the Limited steamed into Auckland this morning with “ Miss Canterbury ” and the other representative provincial beauties. Scenes of great enthusiasm marked their arrival here and thousands of folk who had read about Little Mavis and her smiles, thousands of folk who had seen her photographs and admired them, strained their necks and pushed and jostled their neighbours to catch at least a fleeting glimpse of the little Southern beauty as her Pontiac carried her through the waiting crowds to her hotel. It was evident that Auckland had been eagerly awaiting the arrival, in particular of the Little Queen of the South, and shouts of “ Miss Canterbury,” “ Miss Canterbury ’ arose from a thousand-throats as the cars passed through the seething crowds of admirers. It was the same all the way from Wellington. Every wayside station had its quota of admirers, and as the Limited flashed by cheers went up from the little groups. When Palmerston North was reached, shortly after ten o’clock last night, the railway station was packed,, and the appearance of the beauties on the platform of their private car was the signal for a great outburst of enthusiasm. There were cheers for all—wildly enthusiastic cheers that bore eloquent testimony to the enthusiasm that has been aroused throughout New Zealand by the “Star’s” great Dominion-wide quest for New Zealand’s most beautiful girl. “Where's Little 4 Miss Canterbury’”—that was the question that was asked at every station. “ Let us see the Little Canterbury Queen,” and amid tumultuous cheering Little Mavis would appear to bow her acknowledgments to her many admirers.

But though they received forewarnings of the warm welcome awaiting them in Auckland, the beauties did not anticipate the degree of enthusiasm that they really aroused. Owing to the press of the people, the railway authorities roped off the arrival platform, and the usual staff was augmented by a large number of police, including two mounted men. Owing to the public’s exclusion, those who wanted a peep at the goodlooking Southerners made their way to the Breakwater Road entrance, and there thousands spread right across the street. People hung out of neighbouring buildings, and as the train steamed in there was an air of excitement reminiscent of the arrival of some noted personage.

A MASCOT TROM THE SAILOR BOYS OF H.M.S. DUNEDIN

“ MISS CANTERBURY ” IS AGAIN IN FAVOUR. >ecial to the “Sffir.”) \\ ELLINGTON, November 9. “Kissing goes by favour” is an old proverb that young people would do

well to remember. Perhaps that is why little “Miss Canterbury” is gathering mascots wherever she goes. A dear little kitten joined her collection to-day, when she visited H.M.S. Dunedin, and was shown round the vessel with the other finalists. The sailors took an undisguised liking to the little girl, and their good will was expressed in a manner appropriate to the sea. So little Mavis Py croft has another mascot to take care of.

CANTERBURY GIRL WRITES HOME.

Another letter from Miss Mavis Pycroft (“Miss Canterbury”) tells of a good time in Wellington, and the thrills of the “Miss Wellington” final. “We were taken on a most interesting visit on Friday morning to the Pontiac workshop,” Mavis writes. “We were shown right through the various stages of motor-body building, and although practically ignorant of the workings of motor-cars, I must say that we have not been better entertained anywhere, and the time went all too quickly. “On Friday afternoon we were given a delightful afternoon tea at the D.I.C. We were shown all through the apartments and altogether had a most happy afternoon.

“We are still obtaining wonderful receptions at the theatre, and Saturday's matinee was no exception. We noticed a restrained air about the Wellington girls during the two performances on Saturday, which was, no doubt, due to the fact that they were the last voting sessions. To-day I feel as excited as they do, I’m sure, wondering who is to be “Mnss Wellington.” “Yesterday we went for a glorious drive to Day’s Bay to friends at Mr Shepard's. Wc would have loved to

have had a swim, but as we were not prepared, we had to go without. There is some wonderful scenery there and we were taken right into the bush, where a gentleman's private garden is situated. It was really beautiful. “We are anticipating a great night to-night and when ‘Miss Wellington’ has been declared we will all go to the Cabaret. On Saturday morning Phyllis and I went to LyaU Bay and had a swim, and also had our photos taken. It was very windy and sandy and it was under difficulties that they were taken. We had a great time. ‘We are going to visit the H.M.S. Dunedin before we leave to-morrow, and I’m sure its going to be a most interesting trip."