GREAT INTEREST IN “MISS N.Z.” SHOWN BY AUCKLAND CROWDS

Wanganui Chronicle, 27 November 1947, Page 5

GREAT INTEREST IN “MISS N.Z.” SHOWN BY AUCKLAND CROWDS

(P.A.) Auckland, Nov. 26. Although a large crowd of people assembled in Queen Street on eitner side from the Town Hall to Milne and Choyce’s today to catch a glimpse of Miss Mary Wootton, “Miss New Zealand,” Aucklanders proved on this occasion, as is usual, that, on the whole, they are undemonstrative. Miss Wootton drove in an open cream coupe through Queen Street to a reception at which she was the guest, given by the combined Auckland Chambers of Commerce in Milne and Choyce’s reception hall. Wearing a black suit with blue and white checked blouse, with jabot at the neck and a corsage of red roses, Miss Wootton presented a cnarming figure as she smiled and waved to the people. Apart from a few cheer* and good wishes from those who were uninhibited enough to express a public welcome, the crowd merely stood and looked on the arrival calmly. Outside Milne ana Cnoyct s there was a large gathering, even the safety zones being packed to overflowing, and the crowd swarmed across and surrounded the car. In order to clear an entrance, police officers had to move the crowd back. Accompanying Miss Wootton in the car were Mr. Ron Wateru, a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Mr K. W. Kilpatrick, who organised tne “Miss New Zealand” contest for the Royal Society of St. George.

A welcome to Miss Wootton was given at the luncheon by the Mayor (Mr. J. A. C. Alium) Who -iresen ted her with a bouquet of roses, her favourite flower. Although Miss Wootton is only 9 1 years of age, she spoke to a large assembly of businessmen without any trace of self-consciousness. She thanked the Chambers of Commerce throughout New Zealand for the heir they had given in the contest and added that they had done great work to help in its success in raising money to send food parcels to Britain.

After the luncheon, when Miss Wootton was coming out of the building, she was met on the ground floor by a large crowd of women shoppers who were waiting to see her. Again they crowded around and had to be moved back to allow her to walk out into the street. One elderly woman kissed her on a cheek and expressed her good wishes.