HUNT BALL

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27733, 10 August 1955, Page 2

HUNT BALL

Dignified, Brilliant Gathering VICEREGAL PARTY ATTENDS [ The Christchurch Hunt ball, held . last evening in the Winter Garden, enhanced the reputation for dignity ! and brilliance that this important . annual social gathering has won in recent yfcars. For weeks, tickets for ’ the ball have been eagerly sought, but as the number is strictly limited : to 500. many persons, including visitors to Christchurch, were disappointed. The fact that the Governor-General (Sir Willoughby Norrie) and Lady Norrie attended the ball added to ite importance, and gave great pleasure to the guests. The decorations of the lounge and ballroom were simple and effective. Pot plants, arum lillies and japonica were used skilfully, and in the ViceRegal alcove were hunting prints, cinerarias, and a low bowl of white and pink camellias on the small table. A distinctive air was given to the gathering by’ the coloured lapdls—red, green, and beige—on the coats of hunting men. The dresses of the women were beautiful. There was a preponderance of attractive white frocks, wearers of which ha<J been debutantes earlier this season. Another striking note was the popularity of earrings in a bewildering variety of shapes and sizes. Lady Norrie wore a beautiful frock of pale blue nylon, embroidered in silver, and with the very full lower part of the skirt in plain blue nylon. Her Excellency’s lady-in-waiting, Miss Diana Estcourt, wore magnolia satin striped with rose pink and patterned with pink flowers. Mrs John , Montgomery, master of the hunt, wore a frock of black panne velvet with crystal necklace. Mrs Gilbert Grigg’s model frock was of soft light green poult, with fitting bodice, pointed back and front, and flared skirt. Other members of the organising committee were Mr Gilbert Grigg, Mr and Mrs Colin Austin. Mr and Mrs David Gould. Mrs F. S. Wilding. Miss P. Boyle. Mrs J. Monrd. Misses Belinda Williams. Susan Grigg, Virginia Mair, Messrs T. Grigg, D. Grigg and R. W. Nurse ‘'secretary). Mrs Austin wore a dress of rose pink and silver shot taffeta with folded berthe outlined with silver lame. Miss Boyle wore «a frock of elfin green satin embroidered m diamente and silver beads in large scattered design. Miss Williams's frock of flamingo pink nylon was finished with a bow and long streamers of self-coloured velvet ribbon at the back of the neckline. Miss Grigg wore grey satin- u strloed silk sheer, with narrow petunia velvet shoulder straps and belt.' Miss Mair’s frock of deep blue glace chintz was patterned with white swallows in flight. Two debutantes were introduced into adult society at the ball. They were Miss Barbara BI**k»»l£. of North Canterbury, and Miss Sally Waters, of Blenheim. Miss Blakely wore a frock of white Swiss organza embroidered in silver In rosebud’design, and made with very full skirt and draped neckline. She carried a posy of white flowers. Miss Waters wore a dress of all-over white lace with wide swatched berthe and a bunch of lily of the valley at the waist. Speciallv invited guests Mr JCric White, master of the Hawke’s Bay Hunt, and Mrs White, and masters of neighbouring hunts. DINNER PARTIES Many dinner parties were held before the Christchurch Hunt ball last evening. Mr and Mrs J. F. G. Blakely (Waikari) entertained many country and city friends at dinner at Elizabeth House in honour of their debutante daughter. Miss Barbara Blakely. Mrs Blakqly wore a slightly trained frock of gold brocade. Among relatives present were Mrs A. J. Blakely, Mrs Goodman (Timaru), Mr and Mrs John Carswell (Dunedin), Mr and Mrs L. W. Fleetwood, and Mr and Mrs R. E. Hiatt. Miss Virginia Mair, a member of the ball committee, entertained friends at the home of her parents, Mr and Mrs Stewart Mair, Holmwood (toad. Miss Mair wore a strapless frock of deep blue glace chintz, patterned with swallows in flight. Her sister. Miss Jocelyn Mair, wore a strapless frock of grey and green check organza. WOMEN’S INSTITUTES Bryndwr.—Mrs Menzies presided at the monthly meeting of the Bryndwr Country Women’s Institute. Articles for the forthcoming jumble sale were handed In. Mrs Netting, a new member, was welcomed. A talk entitled, “Life in India,” was given by Mrs B. A. Abbott. Competitions resulted:—slice of light fruit cake: Mrs Elllnor 1, Mrs Howell 2, Mrs Norton 3. Small trough of dried flowers: Mrs He well 1, Mrs Anderson and Mrs Whittam (equal) 2 Article made from sugar bag; (novice class): Mrs Renous 1, Mrs Woodham 2. Christchurch Centre.—Dr. Gunz. of the Christchurch Public Hospital Blood Transfusion Service, spoke at the monthly meeting of the Christchurch Centre of the Country Women’s Institute. Bookt were handed in for the mental hospital. A competition for a patchwork waist apron was won by Mrs Davidson with Mrs Heslop second, Mrs Merry and Mrs McLean (equal) * third. Other competitions were won by Mesdames Munro, Millat, Merry, Mowatt. Leeming, Davidson, Heslop, McLean, and Davidson. Mrs P. Champion presided. Books were brought in oy members for the mental hospital. North Beach.—The North Beach Country Women’s Institute held its July meeting with a good attendance. Mrs Lack presided. The speaker was Mrs Cook, who described her travels in Australia in the early days.