“MISS CANTERBURY” COMES HOME AGAIN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18013, 25 November 1926, Page 1

“MISS CANTERBURY” COMES HOME AGAIN.

QUIET RECEPTION THIS MORNING. WILL APPEAR AT DOMAIN FETE ON SATURDAY. Disappointed, no doubt, but radiant, “Miss Canterbury” (Miss Mavis Pycroft) returned to her home in Linwood to-day after an experience which has fallen to the lot of few’ girls. It is just two days short of six weeks since she and Miss Phyllis Mann, who returned with her to-day, set out on the quest for the title of “Miss New Zealand.” That they have not won it was attributed by the judges solely to little Miss Pycroft’s tender years, but “Miss Canterbury” she remains, and in her possession is the cheque for £SO that goes with the title. “Miss Canterbury” has had a six weeks’ tour

of New’ Zealand, staying at the best hotels in each centre, she has had all her expenses paid, she has received an allowance for pocket money of £3 a week; she has been the recipient of innumerable gifts, including an outfit and evening dress from an Auckland firm. She and Miss Mann have still to take their week’s holiday at Mt. Cook, Akaroa, Ilanmcr or Kaikoura, and they have unbroken cheques for £SO and £25 to do what they like with. Nursing Cleopatra, the little tortoiseshell kitten presented to her by the officers and men of H.M.S. Dunedin, during her stay in Wellington, "Miss Canterbury,” interviewed at her home this morning, declared that she was glad to be back in Christchurch amongst the people who sent her to represent them i in the great Dominion-wide Beauty Pageant at Auckland. “It has been a wonderful time,” she said, “but for me there is no place like Christchurch and no people like Christchurch people. Miss Mann and I have had a very exciting and interesting tour; wc have visited many delightful places and it has been a wonderful holiday. Her Thanks. “Now it is over and we are home again, and I want to thank the people of Canterbury for all they have done for us. They have been very good. We went away from here hoping to capture the ‘Miss New Zealand’ title for Canterbury, but though the honour does not come to our province, we should be proud that ‘Miss New Zealand 1 belongs to the South. “Miss Thelma M’Millan is a beautiful girl. New Zealand should be proud of her. She was very kind to me and I loved her from the start. She is quiet and unassuming. Everyone loves her. I am naturally sorry that the title did hot come to Canterbury, not so much for myself as for my province. The people of Canterbury sent me to represent them in the Beauty Pageant and I felt it a great responsibility. I wish I had won—for Canterbury’s sake. But though I did not win I am satisfied. I only hope that the people of Canterbury are not disappointed with me. I did my best. " Can Never Fcrget.” “I am very grateful to the people throughout New Zealand who have put themselves out to be kind to me. I will always remember them. I can never forget the great send-off we had from Christchurch when leaving for the North. I will alwaj’s remember the

huge crowds and tho cheering. It was wonderful.”

“Why did you decide not to go on a further Dominion tour with the other finalists” she was asked.

‘ Well, Miss Mann and I just simply wanted to be back in Christchurch,” replied little “Miss Canterbur}’.” “We wanted to be home. We had been away longer than any of the other girls and Canterbury called to us.” “In Fairyland.”

“I've had six weeks in Fairyland,” declared Miss Phyllis Mann, Maid of Honour to “Miss Canterbury.” "Everywhere we have been we’ve been treated with the greatest hospitality and wc have been about so much and met so many interesting people that it will be some time before we can settle down again. I would not have missed it for the world. I expected great things when I left Christchurch, but nothing like the wonderful time I have had.”

Miss Mann, too, paid a tribute to “Miss New Zealand,” and declared that she w f as a delightful girl with a delightful personality. “I am glad she is from the South,” she said. “Miss Isobel Wilson, ‘Miss New Zealand’s’ .Maid of Honour, is also a beautiful girl well

f worthy of the proud position she holds.”

44 MISS NEW ZEALAND ” -* STILL ATTRACTING GREAT ATTENTION.

(Special to the “Star.”) AUCKLAND. November 25. “Miss New Zealand” and her maid of honour, and the four remaining finalists in the beauty contest are still parading nightly to packed houses at the Majestic Theatre. Miss Pycroft and Miss Mann having*returned to Canterbury. The six girls here will continue to appear at the Majestic throughout the week, but their movements thereafter are uncertain.