FORMER WAR PRISONERS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29246, 2 July 1960, Page 2

FORMER WAR PRISONERS

Annual Ball At Wigram Wire netting,, Bed.-Cross parcels, and a German and Japanese guard on duty at the . door helped to create a prison camp atmosphere for the annual ball .of the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Ex-Prisoners of War Association, held at the Institute Hall, R.N.ZA.F. station, Wigram, last evening. The association’s annua} conference concluded in Christchurch yesterday. Inside the hall, the walls were gaily decorated with flags, banners, and crests, interspersed with amusing black and white posters depicting incidents in prison camps. _ Wattle was predominant amongst the foliage which made a massed display in the foyer, and was arranged in hanging baskets around the walls. Guests were received by Mr C. P. Catchpole, president of the Christchurch branch, and Mrs Catchpole. Invited guests Included the Mayor and Mayoress of Christchurch (Mir G. Manning and Mrs Manning), Brigadier- G. H. Clifton and Mrs Clifton, Brigadier J. T. Purrows and Mrs Burrows. Group Captain S. G. Quill, Wing Commander and Mrs L. H. Edwards. Major and Mrs H. S. Sandford. Mr T. * McCormick (vice-president, Christchurch R.S.A.) and Mrs McCormick, and MT J. A. Yule (Dominion president of'the association). Mrs Manning chose a gown of old rose crystalline nylon, which featured a ruched panel around the skirt and at the neckline. Mrs Catchpole’s gown was of salmon pink floral lurex, with an elaborately draped bodice and a pleated skirt. Mrs Sandford had chosen a short gown of midnight blue nylon, patterned with white flock spots. „ Members of the organising committee were:—President, Mr C. P. Catchpole; secretary, Mr D. C. Bailey; committee, Messrs L. H. K. Wootton, A. C. Bott, S. D Wallace, G. L. Price, E. Dann. R. Sanders, J. Lardner. L. C Humdell, G. Bagley, G. Simpson. J. Cusack, R. Frew, L. V. Walters.