SUCCESSFUL BALL

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26515, 1 September 1951, Page 2

SUCCESSFUL BALL

STAFF OF TELEPHONE EXCHANGE

A warm and friendly atmosphere prevailed last evening in the Wentworth when the Christchurch telephone exchange staff entertained more than 700 guests from Wellington, Hamilton and many parts of Canterbury at their annual ball. The lavish decorations, which included greenery, coloured streamers, and balloons overhead, made an attractive scene. An unusual feature were the verandas of coloured paper over the alcoves. A '’busy” telephone switchboard, an automatic private telephone exchange, together with a large lighted telephone dial impulsing to the telephone network created much interest. Cartoons illustrating the working of the telephone system were prominently displayed. Each guest was presented with a gift. The guests of honour were Mr L. F. Smith (Divisional Director of the Post and Telegraph Department) and Mrs Smith, Mr D. R. Thomson (Chief Postmaster) and Mrs Thomson, Mr L. O. Tyrrell (regional engineer) and Mrs Tyrrell, Mr W. J. Service (District Engineer) and Mrs Service, Mr E. P. Sanders (equipment engineer) and Mrs Sanders, Mr C. J. Ansley (chief technician) and Mrs Ansley, and Mr F. W. Furniss (deputy chief technician) and Mrs Furniss. Members of the organising committee responsible for the success of the ball were Miss M. McMullen (toll department) and Messrs H. C. Calwell (chairman), C. L. Harwood (secretary). W. E. Cayiiss (treasurer), H. Gough and J. R. Keys. An exhibition of dancing was given by Miss Kathleen Sweeney.