Evening star., 1953-01-27
Society News
Australian EMBASSY
Scene Of Reception
Ambassador and Lady Spender
Hosts to Several Hundred
BY Katherine M. Brooks

The 165th anniversary Of the
landing Of the first British set
tiers on the Australian continent
was celebrated yesterday by the
Australian Ambassador and Lady
Spender. It has been only a COM
paratively few years that Aus
stralia. as one of the British
Commonwealth Of Nations, has
had its own diplomatic mission
in this Capital. From the days
when the Richard Caseys first
opened a legation in Washing
ton, the diplomats from Down
Under" have been outstanding
in their hospitality. And Sir
Percy and Lady Spender are
adding laurels to those already
won.
A CHEEKY wood fire burned in
the fireplace in the library and
could be seen and felt from the
entrance hall where the chill
wind blew In when the door was
opened. The Ambassador and
Lady Spender stood at the foot
Of the three steps down into the
drawing room to greet their sew
eral hundred guests. The hostess
wore an especially becoming
mauve taffeta frock with a tulle
scarf to match. The dress was
waltz length, and full, with
wide V-neckline in the sleeve
less bodice. To complete the
costume she wore dainty bronze
slippers.
An improvised bar was set
up in the drawing room. The
well-laden buffet table was in
the dining room where guests
stopped and fingered. after being
greeted by the Spenders. Chiefs
Of missions, officials Of the State
Department and members Of the
Foreign Relations and Foreign
Affairs Committees were included
IN the invitations. And, of
course. the Australians In WASH
ington.
Deems Wife Alone
Mrs. Munthe de Morgenstierne,
wife Of Norws US Ambassador,
arrived alone and hoped her hus-
band would join her from a con-
ference. She wore a wide scarf
Of platinum fox fur over her
black tailored wool frock and a
becoming black hat. Nine. Bon
net also arrived alone and the
Ambassador did not arrive until
almost the closing hour Of the
reception, long after his wife
had left.
Associate Justice and Mrs.
Harold H. Burton were dressed
for dinner when they arrived
and as she rushed toward
the drawing room she exclaimed,
"Oh! Only 10 minutes before
closing time!" She was very
handsome in gray lace over pale
blue with both diamond studded
earrings on one ear. 10
EnVoy CoTreo Alone
Ceylonese Ambassador Sir
Claud Correa, told inquirers, and
there were many, that Lady
Correa remained in London to
be near their two sons now in
school there. The boys have just
returned to their studies after
their mid-term vacation and she
will not return to Washington
until spring. Ambassador Correa
went to London to be knighted
by Queen Elizabeth and got back
here in time for the inaugural
ceremonies.
Ambassador Correa stood some
time chatting with Korean Am
bassador You Chan Yang, who
also was without his wife. Indo-
neSian Ambassador and Nine.
Sastroadmijojo were there, the
latter wearing her native dress
Of deep red with gold embroidery.
She stood and talked for con-
siderable time with Mrs. P. C.
Banerji, wife Of the Military,
Naval and Air Attache Of the
Indian Embassy. whose sari also
was red but lighter than the
costume Of Nine. Sastromidjojo.
State Department Official
Chief Of Protocol and Mrs.
John F. Simmons were greeting
old friends and new, and Mrs.
Simmons had considerable con-