LADY WARD AT HOME.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12766, 22 June 1911, Page 2

LADY WARD AT HOME.

IMPRESSIONS OF CANADA AND

AMERICA.

THE" OH ARM OF LONDON

("Otago Daily Times" Correspondent.) LONDONV May 5. " I ■ would not have missed the experience for anything," exclaimed Lady Ward with enthusiasm when I asked her- how she had enjoyed the crossing of the-'ice-bound wastes of Canada in winter.

"It was all ( so wonderful- to see everything under snow. Did I get an Opportunity of seeing much .of, Canadian women? Well, I can hardly say that I "did. You see, we came across so rapidly that one had "very little chance of seeing much of the home or everyday life of the people. All 1 know is that they left undone nothing that could have conduced to our comfort or pleasure while we were in their ctmntry." The Canadian women at that time of the year—the snow was just disappearing in the Eastern States, and the Spring flowers were beginning to main* their appearance—resembled very much the women of the United States, except that they had fresher complexions",' due, probably, to the intense cold. Generally they wore heavy furs, \ musouash, and so on, but there was just a sign of their disappearance .'.""" No," Lady Ward continued, " we did not get much idea of what a real Canadian winter could be in the Eastern cities. I am told that the ladies go in a great deal for toboganning ami l.ockey "and skating, but the winter was just disappearing, so of course the winter pastimes were going, too. They have tJie winter gardens lighted up very prettily with Chinese flanterns, and do a good deal of skating on tho outdoor ice rinks.

" The rinks are really just like bowf ing greens, over 'which water has been run and allowed to freeze, so there is no danger of falling in when the ic<? is thin."

Lady Ward can scarcely find it in herself to regret tho affected throat with which she arrived in London. At any rate she. refuses to lay the blamo ut * the door of Canada, which showed her. so much cordiality." She prefers to ttiink that it is the result of a chill during the transit from the Lusitaniato the train at Fishguard, or the bit"-, terly cold afternoon on which they set t-yos on England. *' No, I found the climate "of Canada perfectly delightful, in spito of the cold. I like the cold, and it is so dry and bracing that one. feels very energetic, and inclined- to walk ever so far."

In the- short;-time, she had in the Dominion, Lady Ward came to tho conclusion that the Canadian women were not to be distinguished from the average New Zealander." Their hospitality was unbounded. In fact, they could not do?" too much for their New Zealand guests. While in Ottawa, Sir Joseph and Lady Ward were the guests .of Earl and Countess Grey, whose~hospitality was almost homely in its genuineness. " What strikes one in Canada is the intensity of the people. They seem to be all bustle and stir." " More than in London, do you think?" "Yes, I think, in some respects even more than in London. And one fcsls like making a comparison in regard to the street traffic in New York. It is terribly congested, and not nearly so well regulated as here. It is rather terrifying." • ' • Lady Ward remarked that American women seemed to dress exceptionally, well. At several theatre parties she' noticed that the ladies wore u.ou;ms of tho most lavishly costly description, 1 ut as with many people in New. York, profuse whs a ■scsnndm-y consideration that was not to be wondered at. 1( Both in Canada and the Unitea States," said Lady Ward, " I fonnl tho women very keen' in their desir/?vtQknovv about - the vote exercised by my sisters in New Zcalaii^i, and there Js a section of tho community'.workingzealously to secure'-'the privilege. -.But Iv. as informed that tbo is making vei-y slow headway, and theloaders do not "entertain -very . -hopes of: success, at any' rate, in +hoimmediate future." -, ~ ;■ "■ Have they tried militant tactfes at all?"

'•' No, not at all," replied Lady Ward promptly. Of the peculiarities, rather, than of the luxuries of Atlantic travel Latt^ Ward had much to say. It was a very strange experience, she says, to know that quite a number of passengers would cross the Atlantic from shore to shore without ever being on dock, ■-almost without knowing, except for an occasional roll and from seeing the water through the portholes, that they were at sea and not merely in a groat hotel on land. If one is so disposed, there is really no need to go on deck, for tho large'vessels now running offer such comforts in the way of space that even if 'one is perfectly well one is not compelled to go on deck to be happy. Series of suites and large apartments run the whole- length of the vessel, an.l the lighting, through tho large windows, is almost as good as on land. Lady Ward still holds to the opinion, however, that the Makura on the Vancouver route, is the most comfortable vessel she has travelled in.

" I find that London is as attractive as ever now that I can get about — che first week Lady Ward spent, under medical advice resting as much as possible- and nursing her throat. "Go where you will, there is always something to interest and charm you. And *.he hospitality of the people is as overpowering as over. But there is a limit to one's strength, and I am afraid that if I accepted all the kindness which is offered us there would not be mush in tho nature of a holiday in the irip at all. I am certain I shall be glad to get on the- steamer again on the way back to dear New Zealand. With all the attractions of the countries wo have visited, thero is none that appeals to me like our own."

Both Lady Ward and her -laughter are much struck by the note of brightness in London at the present time. Although they arrived on tljoir last visit—li>o9—at a time when one might expect more "natural brightness, there was not then such evident prosperity as now. Moreover, jtho shops havo just opened a dazzling display of ■colours in preparation of the closing of the closing of the Royal mourning tomorrow and the opening of what is expected to bo one of the gayest seasons on record.

In spite of tho physical fatiguo which tho journey will entail, Lady Ward is looking forward with keen interest to performing tbo 'ceremony of launching; tbo Now Zealand Dreadnought on the Clyde.