RETURNED SOLDIERS BALL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 16, 13 October 1917, Page 5

RETURNED SOLDIERS BALL

A BRILLIANT FUNCTION The first annual ball of the Wellington Keturned Soldiers' Association was held in the Town Hall last eveuing, and has set a high standard of succp ":,ior (ill the other returned soldiers' ba..d which will follow in the years to come. It is not very often that the soldiers who have played their part in this war have come beforo the civilian element of Wellington in the war of social intercourse, and naturally the opportunity was one to be taken advantage of by people who are interested in all that concerns the soldiers' affairs. Needless to say, there was a very large attendance both of soldiers (returned and otherwise) and their friends, including large contingents from the Trenthnm and Featherston x Camps, anct a cold night added to the'general keenness for dancing. The Town Hall has seen many dances which have been conspicuous for their brilliant decorations, and that of last night is one thaiholds an important place among them. The whole effect man entering Jhe large chamber, after paying through an avenue of palms and bainbooj was of warmth of colouring, brightness, and vivid effects secured by lighting arrangements which had.been specially installed for the occasion. Drapings of flags hail been used with wonderfully effective results, all the space beneath the galleries 'having been turned into more'or less deducted retreats by moans of them, carpeted, and cosily furnished for the comfort of dancers and non-dancers. Great bowls of arums still further added to the decorative effect, and of particular interest was the fact that every alcove bore nanus that have been m;tde unforgettable for all time—Anzac, Suvla Bay, Cape Helles, Falkland Isles, Jutland, Somine. Mossines, Yprcs, Armentieres. "To meet at Anzac," "at Ypres." "at the Homme," and other places that have become so memorable, was heard on all sides, and must have brought back memories to some of those present last evening. The piece de resistance was, however, the stage, which had been turned into an extremely rural looking redoubt, fronted with illusionary sandbags, over the top of which appeared the noses of machineguns, bayonets, etc. Scenery representing woodland glades had been arranged at the back and sides of the stage, and with masses of Mingo banked below the illusion of distance receding into forest was very cleverly contrived. Above tho staio was a large representation of the Returned Soldiers' Association badge, carried out in red, white, and blue, surmounted with a crown, the lettering being done with small flowers made .by some of Iho ladies of tho committee. Festoons of green drapery carried into a point high above tho railing, decoraled tho gallery, interspersed with I'ugs and quantities of flags, largo and small, had been suspended from the roof. Supper was served in the Concert Chamber, which had also been decorated very effectively, tho small tables hnviiis, been arranged with kliaki-colourcd cowslips, and the large central table witli cherry blossom. The Trentham Orchestra played delightfully.

Among those who were present worn: Mrs. TV. F. Massey, who Iras wearing black satin with jet trimming; Sir li'obert and Lady Stout, the latter wearing lilac-coloured velvet.with lace fichu; Fir James Allan; Mrs.' Montgomery, in flowered silk voile with frilled skirt edged with narrow velvet; General Sir Arthur Robin; Surgeon-General Henderson; Miss Frascr, in black with socio inned trimming; Mrs. Coloridge, pnlo pink crepe de chine; Major and Mrs. Sleeman, tho latter in floral silk over fiam'c-col-oured ninon; Mrs. M'Ewan, grey embroidered ninon with faintest touches of pink; Mrs. Harper, fiame-coloured crepe do chine; Mrs. Moorhousc. black satin; Mrs. TV. furnbull, black satin with act overdress; Miss Turnbull, blue saliu with white chiffon bodice; Miss Duncan, palest pink crepe de chine; Mrs. Studhohn, black satin; Mrs. Adams, black satin with amethyst cloak; Mrs. Tripp, grey ninon over pink; Miss Massey, whito ninon with touches of blue; Mrs. F. M. B. Fisher, black lace over whito satin; Miss Speed, black silk with bodice of ninon over white; Miss Skerrett, dark heliotrope silk; Miss Hope (Canterbury), vieux rose silk; Mrs. E. Hadfield, black ninon over white; Mrs. Bodcn, black satin; Nurse Everitl, black satin; Miss TVilford, heliotrope satin; Miss Turton, red ninon frock; Miss CoTrigan, white ninon frilled frock; Miss Beere, black lace; Miss Miles, black ninon; Miss Coleridge, buttercup crepe do chine; Miss Grace, white ninon; Miss Miller, flamecoloured ninon; Commander Cnyly; Colonel Hughes; Mr. and Mrs. C. Turrell; Major and Mrs. Corrigan; Mrs. and Miss Meadowcroft; Misses Martin (Martinborough); Sergeant-Major Coleridge; Colonel and Mrs. Esson and Miss Esson; Mrs. TV. FT. Field; and very many others, including several officers from Headquarters. The committee responsible for the arrangements in connection with the dance comprised Mesdamcs M'Ewan, TV. H. Montgomery. TV. F. Boden. Miss Speed, and Miss Pegg (ioint secretaries); CcJonel .T. G. Hughes, C.M.G., D.5.0., Colonel J. J. Esson, 0.M.G.; Messrs. Douglas Seymour. M. J. Kilgour. .T. 1). Harper, Messrs. T. Bohl.w.ii. and 0. A. Hig<?ie (treasurer). • A little party of returned soldiers from tho Hospital were present at the dance. The arrangements had been excellently carried out, and late trams took the dancers to their homes in the suburbs.

The street sale of surprise envelopes which had been organised in connection with the Terrace Day at the Wellington Red. Cross, which was to "have been held on October 2U, has been 1 postponed to I November 9.