CENTENNIAL BALL

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 12778, 27 June 1939, Page 5

CENTENNIAL BALL

THREE ATTRACTIVE SETS PRESENTED

“Old Group Judged the Winner

n-uorp was considerable gaiety at , n i.lll Ha" h ' ,|d ™ the To "' 11 lhe .. i«« night. In addition to some 'll 3 dancers, there must S h®. i n tjic gallery. 10< Jhi decorations followed the usual A nf Streamers and greenery, rTthere were more coloured lights but .fan'll consequently a brighter th n 1 A small dais was erected at bal * .Mtfh end Of the stage, and here JJ! Orchestra was accommodated. MacDougall’s Hot Scots Band from nnot ki added to their previous auc?JSes at Tanranga, and supplied exC fw music. A panatrope was used ; ele supper extras, its last item tho Lambeth Walk. This stirb! an already happy throng to turrSer efforts, and when the orchestra pained, another ten minutes ot this 1 ondon success was demanded There J. no “Palais Glide” on the programme. but no doubt Tanranga will Se to this in the near future. Streamers and balloons made their appearance after midnight giving added colour and fun. Supper was as usual under Mrs Robinson’s capable care, and there were a number of sittings from halt rmt ten onwards. Mr George Willcock was the Master of Ceremonies, assisted by Mr W. Lints and members of the Centennial Committee. Arrangements for the evening had been supervised by Mrs Arthur Skinner. A loud speaker and microphone had been installed by Radio Specialties and was in charge of Mr Colin Cross. This made the task of announcing very much easier, and was appreciated by everyone. The Sets The principal attraction of the evening was the presentation of three sets. Thier preparation had been conducted in the greatest secrecy, as prizes were to be awarded in the form of votes for the Carnival Queens. The stage, whereon each set appeared in' turn, had been arranged with a floral cut-out backcloth and a carpet, and was well lit by a spotlight from the gallery. The three sets could hardly have been more diverse in character, and except for the winning group did not follow orthodox lines for a ballroom set. However they were very cleverly arranged and the judges, Mrs Butler and Mr McMasters of Auckland, were faced with a formidable task. Snow White andi the Seven Dwarfs The R.S.A. Queen Committee set appeared first. The curtain drew aside to show Snow Wffite and her wicked stepmother. The latter rubbed her mirror, and "the huntsman appeared, who immediately grasped Snow White and brought her down into the Hall to kill her. Relenting' because of her beauty, he left her to Jjer fate, when out from the supper room door came seven of the best little dwarfs we have seen since their ’career began. Round the hall-with Snow White they marched to rounds of applause, Dopey trailing on behind with his lantern and a perfect manipulation of “nigger-nines” in shoes. Having reached the stage, the Prince was.waiting to claim his bride and all was happy ever after. The costumes were true to every detail, and a question on everyone's lips was “who made the masks for the Dwarfs?” It was Mr Cooper, who must be complimented on his work. Those taking part were:Mias Evelyn Steel as “Snow White,” Mr Cooper as “The Huntsman,” Mr, iP. Southern as “The •Prince,” Miss Joan Steele as “The Witch,”, Miss Thelma Peace-as “The Queen.” The Dwarfs.—Dallas Peace as "Doc,” Moia Rodgers as “Happy,” Audrey Kerridge as “Grumpy,” Jessy Hodge as “Sleepy,” Roslyn Clarke as “Bashful,” Joy Fitch as “Sneezy,” Rana Cooper as “Dopy.” Miss 1945 The second set, by the South Queen Committee, was entitled Miss 1945, and certainly lived up to its i, name. This time the curtain drew to show Miss Grace Davidson, South Queen, in a glittering white cellophane costume with picture hat of cellophane and a glistening silver notice-— “Miss 1945.” Then in came ten ultra smart chorus girls, whose costumes—and legs—would have done credit to any ballet. The costumes were a work of art. With small bodices were worn white satin shorts, and skirts shaped like the tail of a man’s evening coat. On each skirt was a myriad of white net frills, all triple edged with silver, and each girl wore a salmon pink sash with a butterfly bow at the hack. Picture hats with matching frills, tiny frilled handbags and silver shoes completed these effective costumes. The girls came down the steps in pairs to the accompaniment of bright jazz music, and were met at the opposite end by their partners, who danced with them back to the stage. The men folk were in evening dress. , This set popular, those taking part l|ng Misses Grace Davidson, HeatHa; Murphy, Eleanor Hicks, Joyce Mpßitt, Olive Norris, Eileen Bennett; Doreen Waldron, Inah Williams, Mona Thomas,, Mem Za Nielson, Evelyn Nash, and Messrs ; Alec Willis, Roly Martin, Jack Scandle, Ted Rea, Harold Carter, Jack Harrison, Frank Donaldson, Jo Wecke, Fred Wilson and 'Gordon Ross Smith. “Old English” The final set on behalf of the Domain Sports Queen, Miss Betty Middleton, was on orthodox lines for a ballroom set, a fact which may possibly have helped the judges to reach a decision. The four girls—Misses Betty Middleon, Marie Washer, Rene

FOUR HUNDRED DANCERS AT TOWN HALL

Fetch and Shirley Stewart —were dressed in elaborate gold satin crinoline frocks, rucked in panels, with sleeveless tight bodices. At the neck each girl wore a knot of violets, and a posy of violets in a gold holder was carried. An unusual touch were the black curled wigs. Acting as partners for the girls were Noel Tanner, Bob Burns, Albert Wood and Jim Thompson, who wore.gold ruffles at neck and wrist with evening dress. After a stage tableau the four couples circled the hall with Minuet steps. The Judging A few minutes after the final set had appeared, Mr W. Lints announced the Judges’ decision placing the “Old English” set first, Miss 1945 second, and Snow White third; Mrs Butler, however, being quite captivated by the dwarfs, had generously given the R.S.A. set a special prize of £ 1 Is. The members of the three sets then took part in a special dance. Presentation to R.S.A. Queen Just before supper, the Mayor, Mr L. R. Wilkinson, presented the R.S.A. Queen, Miss Evelyn Steele, with a pretty green suit case. This was a gift from Mr Gilmore Rogers for the Queen who topped the poll on the first day the flags were flown. R.S.A. had been successful and Mr Wilkinson extended his compliments. He also mentioned the success of the Ball which had been organised by Mr Lints. Enjoyment was evident and he hoped it was a sign that plenty of support would be forthcoming for the worthy object—a Centennial Memorial. The Mayor apologised for the absence of Sir Ernest and Lady Davis, the Mayoress, Mrs Wilkinson, Mr and Mrs P. W. Doidge, and Miss Maxwell. Mr J. R. Bongard replied on behalf of Miss Steele. Their flag had been topped in the last few days by the South, whom he congratulated on their success which he humorously remarked, he regretted would only be temporary. Mr Bongard thanked the R.S.A. workers and hoped they would be spurred on to further efforts. , Among the Dancers Among those enjoying the dancing were the three Queens, Miss Evelyn Steele in gold taffeta, Miss Grace Davidson in white sheer, and Miss Betty Middleton in gold satin. Other dancers on the floor were;

Mrs G. S. Jarvis in deep cyclamen taffetas Mrs Keith Page in cyclamen georgette, Mrs Middleton in black lace, Mrs J. Steele in black, Mrs Peace, Mrs Davidson, Mrs McShane in lavender taffeta, Mrs Moorhead in cyclamen model, Mrs Rex Morpeth in rose pink sheer, Mrs Morpeth senr., in black lace, Mrs N. Campbell in white -crepe suede, Mrs Wyn Kirkby in candy striped marocain, Mrs Jack Guinness in black marocain, Mrs A. Brewer in deep red lace, Mrs V. Mansel in red chiffon velvet, Mrs R. H. Hay in shaded pink and maroon georgette, Mrs L. Green in blue moire taffeta, Mrs W. A. Strang in multi-coloured striped georgette, Mrs E. J. Lawson in pink net, Mrs J. J. Dodd in black and mauve taffeta, Mrs Charles Tilby in black marquisette, Mrs Keith Gifford in black appliqued taffeta, Mrs Eric lies in scarlet silk, Mrs Terry Connor in rainbow taffeta, Mrs L. F/Walker in pink taffetas, Mrs F. G. Davies in turquoise blue taffetas, Mrs F. C M. Baker (Te Puke) in cream satin, Mrs J. H. McKenzie ,in black lace over cyclamen taffeta, Mrs H. Hodge in blue and gold shot taffeta, Mrs Richard J. Rogers in black satin striped taffeta, Mrs J. R. Dodd in black taffeta, Mrs M. Humphreys in royal Ijlue velvet, Mrs H. G. Cunningham in lemon ripple lame, Mrs H. C. Johanson in green net over satin, Mrs Arthur Wood in scarlet satin, Mrs Roy Scally in black and gold, Mrs Thornton in pink lace and taf-fetas,-Mrs D. Walden in black satin beaute, Mrs Edward Chambers, Jnr., in blue pin spot satin, Mrs Johnston in windswept satin, Mrs Ross-Kydd (Te Puke) in green georgette, Mrs K. Dunlop in midnight blue cloque, Mrs D. Gamble in gold satin, Mrs R. Ellison in pink silk velvet, Mrs L. Hogan in biscuit lace with silver, Mrs I. Tankard in coral faille and silver stripe, Mrs R. Shearman in pink net and f lavender applique, Mrs Davidson in cyclamen taffeta, Mrs J. R. Chambers, Mrs Alan Bradmore in white patterned georgette, Mrs H A. Mollgaar'd in black chiffon velvet, Mrs Wray, Mrs L. McNamara in black ring velvet, Mrs C. J. Steedman in black. ' Misses Margaret ’Dixon in black ring velvet with sequins, Marjorie Every in pink net over taffeta, Meryl McLauchlan in black velvet, M. Jackson (Te Puke) in black velvet, Ruve Cross'in crinoline frock in turquoise taffeta, J. M. Wratten in diagonal striped cyclamen sheer, J. Scan die in red satin, H. Murphy in fuchsia georgette, A. Hutchinson in green figured marocain, T. Carleton in blue taffeta and lace, Joyce Morris in green and gold flecked taffeta, Pat Morris in lemon taffeta and bolero, Mary Mujgrew in blue crepe de chene, P. Mcdonald (Te Puke) in marina blue velvet, H. Macdonald (Te Puke) .in apricot velvet, Lois Byooker in white sheer with black ring velvet. Dawn Hartley in lavender appliqued net, Olga Lurajud in rose plisse voile, Gwen Lowe in black lace taffeta over pink satin, Helen Hai’tley in striped organdie, Peggy Elder in blue georgette, M. Persey (Te Puke) in floral georgette, P. Chadwick (Te Puke) in black panne 1 velvet, Connie Welton in white floral taffeta, Helen Wood in salmon windswept satin. Rose Sharon in fawn lace, M. G. Harpha.ni in pink silk poplin and lace, Johnson in pink

cloque, Kay Phelps in Hawaiian cocktail suit, Dulcie Starnes in primrose taffeta, L’. Jones (Ngapeke) in pink taffeta and net, A. Field in cyclamen taffeta, D. Ross in black velvet, E. Hicks in fuchsia georgette, I. Williams in white taffeta, O. Norris in blue satin, A. Stratford in lemon georgette, Gladys Ross in pink water pattern taffeta, Pat Humphrys in emerald ripple satin, Betty Brant in violet chiffon. Iris Leaning in pink shot taffetas, E. Nash in gold taffeta, Clarice Ray in lavender taffeta, Lena Finch in gold ripple ninon, Gwen Murgatroyd in cyclamen taffetas, S. Keven in clematis taffeta, F. Pemberton in -white lace, Rata Pickworth in delphinium blue taffeta, N. Riddell in black silk velvet, Joyce Keenan in teal blue satin, Tui Keenan in blue, sheer, N. Benseman (Te Puke) in black sheer, Jacqueline Harrison in striped wincette, M. Ackinson, E. Staples in rose pink frock, Joan G. Cameron in nattier blue chiffon, Norma Hogan in rose marie lace, Mary Bartlett in white shot taffeta, R. Gamble in blue cloque, Molly Hardy in floral ninon, Edna Ormsby in white figured georgette, Lucy Francis in pink figured organdie, Frances Oimsby in black georgette, Valerie Lennard (Te Puke) 'in organdie with coloured satin stripes, Ailsa Oden in eggsheU blue taffeta, Alison Wilcock in navy taffeta, Mary Hawkins in white taffeta Audrey Willcock in floral suede, Ethel Prole in black velvet, Bernice Sheriff Phyl Sanderson in white organdie,* B. Morton (Katikati) m black velvet.