GRAND NATIONAL DAY

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23712, 10 August 1942, Page 2

GRAND NATIONAL DAY

CROWD AT RICCARTON Reminiscent of pre-war days was the crowd that attended the Canterbury Jockey Club’s Grand National meeting at the Riccarton racecourse on Saturday, when the weather was fine and pleasant with only a slight southwesterly wind blowing. But reminders of present-day conditions were to be seen in the large number of men and women in uniform—the girls of the Army, in their khaki uniforms, attracting much attention—and the presence of invalided returned soldiers who were in the care of members of the Red Cross transport section, who conveyed them to and from the course and served luncheon and tea for them. After the principal event of the day, the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase Handicap, the chairman of the club, Mr Arthur Elworthy, congratulated Mr L. H. Collinson, owner of the winning horse. Foxiana, and the proud trainer and jockey, and Mrs Elworthy presented a piece of silver plate to Mr Collinson. Mrs Elworthy wore a navy frock, hip-length, fur coat, and small navy hat trimmed with cire ribbon. As was to be expected, there were fewer visitors than usual at the meeting, which is considered one of the most important in the Dominion’s racing calendar. North Island representatives included Mrs Lyon, who accompanied her husband, Colonel G. Lyon, Mrs G, R. Grace, who, with her husband, was a member of Mrs G. Leslie Rutherford’s party, and Miss E. Pharazyn, of Wellington, who accompanied Mrs Cecil Teschemaker. From Oamaru had come Mrs Arthur Nichols, Miss Josephine Nichols and Dr. Elspeth Fitzgerald, and other southern visitors were Mrs J. Mowbray Tripp, Mrs Neill Rattray, Mrs C. L. Orbell and Mrs Carlton Kain. Mrs P, R. Woodhouse, of Bluecliffs, was accompanied by her daughter, Miss Came Woodhouse, and Timaru visitors were Mrs Harold Elworthy and Mrs Desmond Unwin, in whose party‘was Mrs Charles Batchelor. PLUNKET BALL A GREAT SUCCESS The biggest and cheeriest social event within the last few years in- Christchurch was the Plunket Ball, held m Beath’s tea-rooms on Saturday night, in aid of the funds of the Plunket Society. Music for about 500 dancers was played by the Air Force band, games and competitions for the entertainment of non-dancers were arranged in the Tudor room, at an attractive flower stall posies and sprays were for sale, a;.d buffet supper was served in the grey room, where the tables were decorated with spring flowers. Members of the organising committee. who worked most energetically, were Mr A. M. Satterthwaite (chairman), Mesdames Arthur Rose, Ernest Boulton, W. G, Scannell, Algar Williams, B. B. Wood, Ernest Kerr, F. S. Cave, Misses Myrcine Ward and Rachel Cross (honorary secretary), Messrs I. D. Wood, F, S. Taylor, S. Mair, A. B. Edwardes, and N. McCrostie. A pleasing ceremony and one that added greatly to the importance of the ball was the presentation of debutantes to Mrs J. Cracroft Wilson, president of the Christchurch branch of the Plunket Society, who was accompanied by her daughters, Mrs A. N. Grigg and Mrs D. P. Dickinson, and who was presented with a bouquet by Mrs Satterthwaite. The debutantes, who were presented by Mrs Cecil Wood, were Miss Judith Weston, who wore a frock of ivory taffeta, lightly studded with diamente in scattered design; Miss Barbara Graham, white stiffened net, mounted on taffeta, with bodice and circular appliques on the skirt of silver lam£; Miss Jennifer Grigg, soft pervenche blue satin frock, shirred at the waist and finished with a bow of satin on the skirt; Miss Alison Dobie, eau-de-nil taffeta, with fine kilting edging the neckline: Miss Patricia Deans, pale pink tulle with puff sleeves, and inset pointed belt of pale pink lace; Miss Patricia Walker white georgette, with puff sleeves, and row of tiny buttons at the back; Miss Gretchen Atkinson, white georgette trimmed with narrow braiding at the waist. AIL the debutantes carried small posies. BIRTHDAY PARTY “The National Club, founded three years ago, now has a membership of 1200 and so numerous have been the applications for admission to,the Junior branch that we have had to close the list for the present," said Mr William Hayward, speaking at the club’s birthday party held in the club lounge on Saturday. Much of the success of the club. Mr Hayward continued, was undoubtedly due to the late Dr. John Guthrie, who had been the club’s president and had directed its activities skilfully during its infancy. The guests were welcomed to the party by Mrs Keith Johnston, chairwoman of the club’s social committee, and Miss Nora Nutt, the club’s hostess. There was a very large attendance at the party, and after the toasts had been honoured many of the guests enjoyed a short dance in the social room.