IN FULL FORCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 109, 4 November 1939, Page 18

IN FULL FORCE

POLICE AT CHARITY BALL

PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES BENEFIT

Those who have expressed a wish to see a policeman without his helmet would have been in their element last night in the Town Hall when members of the Wellington Police Force gave a Charity Ball in aid of the Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John. It was evident that "the Force!' regards the business of dancing almost as seriously as that of preserving law and order, for the dexterity with which members guided their partners about the floor was eloquent of long practice and concentration.

The only uniforms to be seen, in the ballroom were those of several soldier guests, the policemen and detectives

being immaculate in "tails" or dinner suits, and recognisable .by their; fine stature more than by any other distinguishing feature. The Police Band, resplendent in kilts, opened the ball by piping a spirited waltz, but the'official ceremony was performed by Com[missioner D. J. Cummings, who briefly addressed the large gathering. PATRIOTIC NOTE. The Town Hall has often . been dressed with' bunting, but seldom with as much effect as last night. Guests J entered the foyer through draped curtains of Union Jacks, a double row of sturdy dwarf cypresses standing sentinel the length of the passage-way. In the hall itself flags were arranged between the alcoves and pennants, alternating with coloured lights/ stretched in deep loops from a central group to the balcony. There* the facade was gay with a brave show of bunting which culminated in three triumphant "bursts" ■of Union Jacks, lending an impressive pageantry to the ballroom A ,wide red, white, and blue ribbon I below masses of the.greenery twinkling \ with coloured lights shielded the froni of the stage from which an extra-large | orchestra played. The refreshment j.stalls, staffed by uniformed V.A.Disof | the Red Cross Society and the St. John Ambulance Brigade, were effectively draped with masses of bunting and were backgrounded by the large standards of their own organisations. Representatives of both bodies were guests at the official party and were entertained by the Commissioner and Mrs. Cummings. The latter was wearing a lovely gown of black crepfe romaine and a three-quarter length coat of heavy black velvet. During the evening a debutante, Miss Margarita Sleeth, daughter of Mrs. E. J. Sleeth and the late Mr. Sleeth, Martinborough, was presented to Mr. and Mrs. Cummings. Her princess gown of : ivory water-marked satin was trimmed with white chiffon roses, and she wore a matching spray in her hair Her bouquet was of lily of the valley ' Official guests included Mrs. Peter Fraser (whose husband is Minister in charge of the Police Department), the Hon. P. C. Webb (Acting Minister), Mr. Garland (Greek Consul) and Mrs. Garland, Mr. R. F. Madden (secretary of the Police Department), Mrs. Madden, and Miss Madden, Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Ward, Mrs. Gaby, Mr. and Mrs. W W. Dutton, and Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Meachen (all of the St. John Ambulance Association), Mrs. E. G, Downes.and Captain and Mrs. M S. Galloway (Red Cross Society) With them were Miss Murphy, Miss Stott, Miss A. Marselle, and Miss Lycothea Ambatzi. ' Ballets were presented by the pupils of Miss Diana Power-Palmer and Miod Mildred Harris. CONSTABLES ACTIVE. An efficient organising committee, of which Constable H. H. Lowe was secretary, comprised Constables F. G. Day. S. Williams. R. A. Green. E. D. Jones. Davis, A. P. Jesson, P J Magee, P B McKenzie. P. Smith, R. H. Benton, W G S. Dennison. R. G. Jones. G. A. Morley, R. P. Thomas, E. S Tuck. T. J Miles. E. D. Costello. and J. Ward Constable W. H. Andrews was master of ceremonies, assisted by Constable F. G. Day and Detective A. Reid.

When white flannels become grassstained treat .with salt and tartaric acid mixed in equal quantities, and made into a thin paste with water. Spread it over.-the stain freely and dry the garment in the sun. Then brush off the paste.; A second treatment may be necessary.