FLORAL WEEK “QUEEN”

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28512, 15 February 1958, Page 2

FLORAL WEEK “QUEEN”

Crowning At Ball A colourful ceremony took place in the Winter Garden last evening when Mrs Gloria Evans was crowned “Queen” of the Plunket Society’s Floral ’Festival queen carnival. With guests .of the Grand Floral Ball as her audience, Mrs* Evans, the Cashmere-Beckenham candidate in the contest, had her rivals as “princesses” in her retinue. The ceremony began with the entry of “Britannia.” who was followed by a Maori woman in native costume and two Plunket nurses. The “princesses” took seats at right angles to the throne, and then the “Queen” entered, preceded by the “Grand Sword Bearer” and page boys carrying crown, orb and sceptre. f Wearing a purple robe trimmed with white fur, the “Queen” was crowned by the “Lord High Chancellor” with a floral crown. Other queen candidates in the retinue were Mesdames Dawn Crozier (St. Albans sub-branch), S. Hinchcliffe (Richmond-Lin-wood-Burwood), R. A. Simmonds (Woolston); R. Hunt (BelfastKaiapoD, J. Laing (New Brighton), R. Hancock (Spreydon), Misses G. Jennings (Ceptral), Lorraine Armstrong (Shirley), and Diane Dunster (Fendalton-Riccar-ton church corner). The children who were the “Queen’s” attendants were dressed in 17th Century costumes. The six boys wore various coloured jackets and white stockings, while the two little girls wore .blue and white nylon short frocks with square appliqued necklines. Attached to the very narrow shoulder straps, were small, puffy sleeves, gathered in with a narrow tjlack ribbon. Mr T. C. Eaton, chairman of the Floral Festival Committee, was “Lord High Chancellor.’’ Mrs A. Rose, president of the Christchurch branch of the Plunket Society, and Miss L. Scott, secretary, were “Mistresses of the Robes.’’ The herald was Mr H. Sweney. About 300 attended the ball.

Guests of honour were the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr R. M. Macfarlane, M.P.) and Mrs Macfarlane, the Town Clerk (Mr H. S. Feast) and Mrs Feast, Mr and Mrs M. B.’Hayes, Mr and Mrs C. W. Hamann, Mr and Mrs J. F. Skedden, and Mr and Mrs Lloyd Hunter.

“Queen’s’’ Dress

Mrs Evans wore a pink net fulllength frock with a pink satin overskirt. Her bodice had a large bow across the top left-hand side. A large diamante brooch, held the front of the skirt which was draped up at the side. A. blue satin strapless frock was worn by Miss Jennings. Across the front was a series of folds. The skirt had a straight panel in the front and the back was gathered up into an Empire line. Mrs Rose’s gown of black and siver lame was cut with a draped bodice and hipline yoke finished with a taffeta bow and full skirt. Miss Scott’s hand-woven black and silver satin gown was cut on classical lines. Mrs Eaton wore a ballerinalength frock of deep champagne chrystalette nylon. In the foyer, the long wall was covered to a height of about sft with shrubs, of various colours. In the ballroom, every type of flower from fuchsias to hydrangeas had a place in one of the varioussized bowls.