FLORAL HORSE-SHOE HANDED TO “MISS CANTERBURY.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18007, 18 November 1926, Page 1

FLORAL HORSE-SHOE HANDED TO “MISS CANTERBURY.”

CROWDS SO BIG SHE HAS TO TRAVEL INCOGNITO. SWIMMING, TENNIS, PARTIES AND SEWING HELP TO FILL DAY. (Special to the “ Sar.”) AUCKLAND, November 18. "With the provincial beauties the centre of one ceaseless round of gaiety, the great Dominion-wide quest for New Zealand’s most beautiful girl is now coming to a close, and great enthusiasm is being manifested at the pageant each evening. When “Miss Canterbury” (Miss Mavis Pycroft) led the parade last night, she was greeted with a wonderful ovation, and folk in the gallery blew upon all kinds of noise-producing contrivances, while streamers appeared in hundreds from every quarter of the theatre. • A Floral Tribute. She is a very popular little lady, and has received many beautiful bouquets since her arrival in the Queen City. Last evening, when a beautiful horseshoe, made of red roses and maiden hair fern, was handed to Miss Pycroft over the footlights, there could be no doubting the love Aucklanders have for the little southern girl. That *bouquet was from a few Canterbury admirers. Does Nothing by Halves. Daily exercise, calculated to maintain her present degree of physical fitness, is practised by Miss Pycroft, and tennis, swimming or a quiet walk claims a little of her time each morning. She went swimming at the Parnell baths yesterday, and was once again photographed by the cinema man, who has been on her het.s since her arrival here. She holds a certificate for her achievements in the water, and those who saw her j-esterday were quick to appreciate that she is a clever little swimmer. Tennis, too, she loves, and she hopes one day to be a first-class tennis player. She does not believe in half measures in anything. Entertained at the home of a Ponsonby gentleman, “Miss Canterbury” attended another gorgeous party last evening, and she declares that it was one of the most enjoyable evenings she has spent since she commenced her Dominion topr. No expense had been spared to make the function a success, and the little girl enjoyed herself immensely and laughed and chattered all the evening.

Streamers Disappear. So great has been the enthusiasm here and so great the crowds that follow the car of “Miss Canterbury” wherever it appears that Mr A. R. Shepard, managing director of New Zealand Entertainers, Ltd., has found it necessary to issue instructions that the pennants bearing the title “Miss Canterbury” should be removed from the Pontiac. So nowadays little Mavis Pycroft travels incognito, so to speak, but the people of Auckland know her car, and although the black and red pennant no -longer flutters in the breeze Auckland's crowds still gather.

Makes Her Own Frocks. “Miss Canterbury’s” frocks have been the subject of comment amongst the womenfolk ever since she commenced her Dominion tour last month, and their graceful simplicity, it has been said, is peculiarly suited to the little beauty from.the South, Flappers and married women have admired the frocks, but how few know that many of them arc made by the little beauty herself. She is clever with the needle, and even in Auckland, where her engagements are many, she finds time to sew, for sewing is her favourite indoor occupation.

Picking the Winner. Letters are flowing into the Hotel Cargen at an unprecedented rate—complimentary letters wishing “Miss Canterbury” the best of luck, letters from “flappers” inquiring after beaut}* hints, and letters from youthful male admirers, seeking her favour.

“I know you are going to win,” writes one • young woman, “the planchette board told us. You just wait and see. Ouija never lies nor errs.” It is rather interesting, too, that the other night a party of hotel guests were engaged in a table-rapping seance when they asked who was to be “Miss New Zealand,” and after an involved process of questioning they learned that the lucky lady was to be “Miss Ci nterbury.”

When she was told of what the spirits had revealed little Mavis Pycroft smiled and declared, “I don’t believe in spooks.”