GRAND HOTEL FESTIVITIES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1240, 14 January 1915, Page 40

GRAND HOTEL FESTIVITIES.

TRIBUTE TO MR. ROLLESTON. One of the most pleasurable annual functions held in New Zealand is the gathering at the Grand Hotel, Auckland, to mark the closing of the old vear and the advent of the new. Popularised by the manager, Mr. Rolleston, it has become quite an institution, and nowhere is the New Year ushered in with brighter auguries. With its full complement of visitors and other guests, the hotel was again the scene of gay festivity on New Year’s Eve. The luxurious lounge was charmingly decorated with fragrant flowers, while a delightful programme of music was interspersed by the Lyric Quartette (Messrs. W. Aspinall, H. Richards, Alan McElwain, and J. W. Ryan), Miss Laura Walker, and Bandmaster J. T. Lighten, 3rd Regiment. The spirit of charity was not forgotten in the midst of hilarity, and dolls presented by Mrs. Gerald Stead (Chris church) and Mrs. T. H. Lowry (Hawke’s Bay) were put up for auction in aid of the Belgian fund and realised over £lOO. Several flags given by Mr. Ernest Davis also brought in an acceptable sum for the same worthy object. Notable guests were the Hon. Andrew Fisher, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, and the Hon. W. F. Massey, Prime Minister of New Zealand, who both made speeches warmly eulogistic of Mr. Rolleston. Mr. Massey spoke in glowing terms of Mr. Rolleston’s abilities, of his tact, and ready understanding, and referred not only to the good feeling that existed between the host and his guests, but to the cordial relations maintained by the host and his staff. “Tn fact,” emphasised Mr. Massey, “the whole concern seems more like one huge family with Mr. Rolleston at the head,” a remark that was greeted with deafening applause and cheers. Mr. Fisher felicitously added his quota of praise, speaking in superlative terms of the hotel, which he said enjoyed a fame that was world-wide, due to the managerial capacity of the host, and was the best conducted hotel in Australasia. A demonstrative confirmation from the numerous guests greeted Mr. Fisher’s contention. In response, Mr. Rolleston feelingly thanked the hon. gentlemen for the cord'ali'y of their sentiments and their kind expressions of appreciation. “The hearty reciprocity of those present,” he said, “was a pleasing tribute to his efforts to serve his guests faithfully and to provide happy memories of their stay.” And to the clinking of glasses and the following up of “The National Anthem” and “Auld Lang Syne,” the old year passed out and 1915 came in, with the hope sincerely expressed by Mr. Rolleston that “All good befortune you, And every day some ray of Golden light fall on your way.” The guests included the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey, Rt. Hon. Andrew Fisher, Miss Bradley. Miss Mitchell, Miss Ream. Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Stead, Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Lowry, Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Stead, Mr. and Mrs. Mitford, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Davis, Miss Mollie Davis. Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Davis, Mr. and Mrs. M. Louisson, Mr. J. Milward, Mrs. Coleman, Miss Simcox, Mr. and Mrs. S ernfle’d, Mr. and Mrs. G. R. Bloomfield. Mrs. and Miss Thompson, Mr. J. H. Abbott, Mr. and Mrs. Giblin, Mrs. Gorton, Mr. and Mrs. Murphy, Mr. and Mrs. P. Herman, Miss D. Herman. Mrs. I. Alexander, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Hussey, Miss Betts, Sir. Geo. Clifford, Colonel Paterson, Mr. A. White, Mr T. Cogan, Mr. Cyril Stringer, Mr. A. Edmonds. Mr. M. A. Carr, Mr. F. D. Thomson. Mr. Bethune, Mr. Irvine, Mr. W. McLean, Mr. N. Thompson, Mr. E. Gaster, Mr. G. Horton, Mr. E. A. Box, Mr. K. A. Murdoch, Mr. Harold Lyon, Hon. J. Boyd, Mr. and Mrs. Campion, Mr. and Mrs. Miller,

Mr. and Mrs. Meridith, Mr. and Mrs. Norton, Mr. G. B. Norton, Mr. Robertshawe, Mr. R. Blakiston, Mr. H. N. Coleman. Mr. L. E. Johnson, Mr. F. Diddams, Miss Eetts, Mr. D. Manson, Mrs. H. E. G'orton, Mr. and Mrs Norman Gorton, Mrs. F. Baume, Miss McKay, Mr and Mrs. Pugh, Mr. and Mrs. Edmunds, Miss N. ThorneGeorge, Mr. and Mrs. Friend, Miss Martin, Miss McAlpine, Mr. A. L. Denniston, Mr. and Mrs. Mahoney, Misses Mahoney, Mr. Mahoney, jun., Mr. A. Cleave, Mr. W. Buckley, Mr. P. Watts, Hon. W. H. Herries, Mr. D. T. McIntosh, Mr. Cyril Leys, Mr. S. Milroy, and many others