SANG FOR THE QUEEN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 2, 4 January 1939, Page 2

SANG FOR THE QUEEN

HONOUR FOR NEW ZEALANDER. EMPIRE TEA PARTY HELD. LONDON, Dec. 5. Two Scottish songs were sung for the Queen by Mr. Denis Dowling (Ranfurly) at an afternoon party given by Lady Frances Ryder and Miss Macdonald of the Isles, states a London correspondent. Mr. Dowling sang “The Pibroch,” by Charles Stanford and “Kishmul’s Galley,” by Margaret Kennedy-Fraser. He was afterwards presented to Her Majesty, who thanked him for singing and told him how much she had liked the songs. “The Queen knows much more about the songs than I do,” Mr. Dowling admitted. “ ‘Kishmul’s Galley’ ” is an old Hebridean poem which has been ‘saved’ by Margaret KennedyFraser. The Queen said how much she liked the music written to the words. She knew all about its history. She was charming to talk with, and it was an experience I shall never forget. I was quite surprised to find how much she knew about the sons.” The party was given for officers from the Dominions in His Majesty’s Forces in Great Britain, Rhodes Scholars, and Dominion and colonial men and girl undergraduates. It was held at Seaford House, lent by Lady Howard de Walden, who also gave the tea. The High Commissioners were present, and Mrs. W. J. Jordan was with her husband. Nearly 400 students and officers were there. To many of them the Queen talked, asking where they came from and where they were staying in England; what were their particular studies and interests, and similar informal inquiries. Passing from room to room, where groups of students were assembled, Her Majesty spent about an hour and a quarter moving among them and displaying a close interest in them. Particularly she discussed with Canadian I and American students Their Majesties’ forthcoming visit to Canada and the United States. Presentations to the Queen included the High Commissioner for New Zealand (Mr. W. J. Jordan) and • Mrs. Jordan; Lady Harlech, president of the Victoria League; Sir Frederick Sykes, chairman of the Royal Empire Society; Sir Evelyn Wrench, founder, of the Overseas Club, and Lady Wrench; Air Marshal Sir Charles Burnett, Officer Commanding Royal. Air Force Training Schools in Eng-1 land, and Lady Burnett; Major Mears!

ind Mrs. Mears; Major Paul Slesser, 'epresenting Toe H, and Mrs. Slesser; Mrs. Allen, wife of Dr. Allen, and representing him in his capacity of Warden of Rhodes House and secreary of Rhodes Scholars in Oxford; Lady Harrowby, Mrs. Tempest, and members of the staff. Bouquet Presented. The Queen, who wore a coat of Diack velvet, trimmed with astrakhan, ind a black velvet halo hat, and was vearing a large spray of orchids, was received by Lady Frances Ryder and Miss Macdonald of the Isles and Lord ind Lady Howard de Walden. The Jueen expressed delight at the novilty of the bouquet, which was preented by the youngest student, Miss Cara Hall, L.R.S.M. (Wellington), who s well-known in the Dominion for ler broadcasts, and who is now studyng at the Royal Academy of Music. It was composed of plants representing the various Dominions and colonies; maple leaf for Canada, chin■herinchees for South Africa, wattles for Australia, gladioli primulinus for Southern Rhodesia, lichen for Newfoundland, hibiscus for British West Indies, and fern for New Zealand. During the war, it may be recalled, the Earl and Countess of Harrowby inaugurated hospitality for officers on eave. In 1920, when these needs no onger remained, their daughter. Lady Frances Ryder, carried on the organisation in the interests of students. Its aim is to make these students feel that they are fellow-citizens, and to assist them to see something of intinate home life in Great Britain, thereby creating a better understandng and forging a link between the oeoples of the Empire and at home, vhich will not easily be broken. Lord Tweedsmuir has spoken of this work as “a kind of consulate-general for i friendship in the Empire.” Lady Frances Ryder and Miss Macdonald of the Isles are now in touch with more than 2400 men and girls in England and Scotland. They are introduced by the War Office, the Air Ministry, the Australian naval representative, the Rhodes Trustees, directors of education, heads of colleges and schools, Ministers for Defence in the Dominions, and by fellowstudents. A headquarters is maintained in London, which students have called their “second home.” During the year more than 5400 calls have been paid there by students and hostesses. More than 4500 have been welcomed to the daily teas, more than 800 county visits and 9000 invitations in London have been arranged, and a correspondence of more than 25,000 letters has been dealt with. Mr. Dowling, a baritone, has been studying opera for two and a-ha'lf years at the Royal College of Music. He will complete his studies shortly, and hopes to tour New Zealand during the centenary celebrations before I returning to England to continue his • career.