A Quest for Beauty

Ladies' Mirror, Volume V, Issue 6, 1 December 1926, Page 7

A Quest for Beauty

'here hasn't been such excitement in Auckland since the Prince was here—or the American fleet. Electioneering for beauties holds more thrills than any political or prohibition campaign, although they are run on much the same lines. Money and enthusiastic supporters were just as powerful factors in the New Zealand Beauty Contest as in any other campaign. Once the twelve candidates for the title of “Miss Auckland” were chosen, interest in the Beauty Contest was thoroughly aroused, in spite of the fact that we all said it was a deplorable commercial concern, and that the exploitation of pretty girls for profits was not quite the thing. The shops displaying photographs of the candidates were always surrounded with a curious crowd, and staid respectablelooking folk were as interested as the flappers and lads of the town. “After all,” we said to ourselves, “the girls who enter know that fluprize is given for beauty of face and form, and if thev choose to prove to the general public that they think theirs arc the best; well, it's their own business.” “Miss Auckland” was fortunate in having enthusiastic supporters. In fact, they were so enthusiastic that thev bought tickets by the dozens, and gave them away, or sold them for less, on condition that the recipients voted for their choice. Other electioneering experts brought trumpets and streamers, so that when the chosen one appeared on the stage at His Majesty’s Theatre thev could single her out with their attentions. On the opening night of the vaudeville show in which the Beauty

Contest finalists were to appear, the theatre was only moderately filled, although the streets round about were packed with people anxious to sec the “beauties” arrive in their cars. However, business improved on the second night, when it was advertised that “The New Zealand Beauties will parade in Bathing Costumes.” The girls, as they appeared on the stage, looked very charming, and attractively unsophisticated. Shy little “Miss Canterbury,” of the golden hair, looked just like sweet “Little Alice Bluegown.” In spite of being only sixteen, she had more poise and natural dignity than any of the others. “Miss Otago,” tall and well built, with fresh colouring and a pretty smile, looked the right type for “Miss New Zealand.” Even taller, was “Miss Wellington,” who went through the trying ordeal of walking slowly across the stage, with quite a stately grace. Directly her Maid of Honour appeared, there were howls of delight from the gallery. Her dainty figure and coquettish manner were most effective on the stage. “Miss Auckland” had perhaps the most beautiful face of all of them, but. like the other Auckland girls, appeared awkward on the stage. On Friday night, when “Miss Auckland” was to he announced at the end of the show, the atmosphere was electric with excitement. In

fact, the gallery was so talkative, that an American vaudeville “turn” on the stage became quite terse, and said: “One fool at a time. If you don't want this turn, it’s easy to ring down the curtain and put on the next.” Wanting full value for their money, the gallery quieted down. The curtain dropped after the final item, and the gallery stamped, hooted and shouted. I discovered afterwards that the delay was caused through the "Miss Auckland” badge being mislaid. The curtain slowly rose, and on the stage were the four Auckland finalists, looking particularly well groomed and pretty. Behind them was a bank of flowers, chocolate boxes, and dolls overflowing on to the floor. People shouted, trumpets squeaked, and streamers whirled through the air on their mad dive for the stage. The Mayor couldn’t sneak for some minutes, so he dodged the onslaught of streamers instead. At last he was able' to declare Miss Sutherland the winner, and Miss Ford as her Maid of Honour. The theatre fairly rocked with cheers. On the final night, when “Miss New. Zealand” was to be announced, there was a full house, but it was much quieter. After the last item, the eight finalists appeared on the stage against a background of flowers and gifts. Mr. Louis Cohen, of

Wanganui, the announcer and one of the judges, waxed poetic over this modern search for pretty girls, and almost made us think that we had been engaged on a noble, altruistic quest for Truth and Beauty. “The Age of Chivalry is not dead; this is another .-esthetic renaissance, we said to ourselves,” when a curt voice from the circle broke in with; “Who is Miss New Zealand?” Mr. Cohen stated that the deciding factors were proportion, physical fitness, charm, grace and poise. (Evidently beauty didn't come in it at all He then declared Miss Thelma MacMillan, of Otago, to be “Miss New Zealand.” and Miss Tsobcl Wilson, Maid of Honour to “Miss Wellington,” as second. The girls all kissed each other and then received their presents. “Miss New Zealand'’ was presented with a cheque for £250; Miss Wilson with a cheque for £IOO, and each of the eight girls with a cheque for £23 each. “Miss New Zealand” seemed quite ready to make a speech, but her “I thank you all” was cut short by cheering and the singing of “Auld Lang Syne” on the stage. And so the search for “Miss New Zealand” is over, and the eight finalists will soon have to return to prosaic vocations. It has been a wonderful dream to them, and an experience that they will never forget. Some had never stayed in a hotel before, and none of them had any of the wild ways accredited to the modern flapper. They were just simple, everyday girls, with parents who became anxious when their girls were proclaimed “winners.” in case their heads might be turned by the sudden whirl into gaiety and popularity.