WOMAN'S WORLD

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 26, 25 October 1917, Page 2

WOMAN'S WORLD

KATTBBS OF INTSBBBT FEOII FAR Am NEAB.

(Bt Imooeu,)

THE "BAL MASQUE" SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION AT THE TOWiN HALL. Uncommon and altogether successful was the plain and fancy dress masquerade ball.which had been organises by the drapery assistants of Wellington for the purpose of beneiiting the Citizens' Christmas Gift Fund, and which was held in the Town Hall last evening. A faiioy dress ball at any time is always a fascinating sight, with plenty of scopo for imagination and ingenuity, and theso were certainly in evidence last evening, with most successful results. The decorativo scheme of the big chamber in which the ball was held was simple but eifeotiye, and carried out in such a way as to intensify the brilliant colouring of the dresses which were worn. Red, white and blue draperies had been used witli wonderful results, festooning the walls, the galleries, and the stage, while-native foliage entwined the pillar supports beneath the galleries. Innumerable flags were suspended from the roof, and pot palms and foliage also decorated the stage, upon which the judgea of the poster and fancy dresses and various officials connected w.ith the ball occupied seats. The space underneath the gallery at one end of the hall was turned into a supper room, and was also decorated lor the occasion.

The supper was entirely provided and managed by the ladies of the committee, and reflected great credit upon their efforts. The stage and gallery were filled with a throng of eager sightseers, and upon the stage were the chaperons. Lady Stont and" Mrs. Wallace Mackenzie, mid the three lady journalists who had been asked to act in the capacity of judges. Lady Stout, who presented the prizos, ivore an elegant Empire gown of amethyst velvet. The cross-over tiands and shoul-der-strapa were of jewelled embroidery, and the under-bodice and eleeves were of beautiful lace. .

The prize for the best poster was awarded to Messrs. T. B. James and I' , . A. Smith, who jointly represented D.C.L. whisky. Dressed representing a famous Scotch comedian and a butler, they advanced with uncertain footsteps to olaim their prize. Lady Stout was more than equal to this somewhat unique occasion, for she smilingly remarked, as she handed them the envelope, that she hoped they w.ould soon take the pledge. The prize for the most comic poster was awarded to "Baby Bliss," Mr. Theq. Quereo, whose elephantine and infantile gambols were the cause of much merriment during the evening. A very realistic skeleton (Mr. A. E. Edwards) claimed the prize for the most original poster. The judges were quite puzzled how to award the prize for the best fancy dress for ladies. Finally it was decided that as the cavalier costumes were both so attractive one prize should bo aitarded to Miss Stoorbnut as Princo Charming, and another to Miss Petherick as a courtier of the time of Louis XIV.

Amongst the many handsome and ingenious posters -were:—Nazol, Glaxo, drapery . posters of Messrs. C. Smith and Veitch and Allan, Osram lamps, Warner's corsets, Petone Woollen Mills, Kaiapoi Woollen Mills, Ajax, Kodaks, Wolsey underclothing, Amber Tips tea, Percy Roberts'e embroideries, and pictorial posters.

The grand march was quite an imposing spectacle, and showed off to the best advantage all the many and varied costumes. A. smart black Pierrette, with hup black ruff and scarlet pom-poms, a red Pierrette, a Cubist Hnvlequinno in white, baggy trousers, with cubes of emerald-green appliques, and a pretty fair-haired girl in.court dress with lace cravat and ruffles were noticeable features of the human kaleidoscope. Two Uncle Sam's and two Charlie Chapline, a modest, beruffled and crinolined Early Victorian girl, a charming Minnie-ha-ha, and a smart huzaiettc in white moved round in the stately measures of a waltz to the strains of the Trentham Band. Then, of course, thera were nurses, cricketers, mousmes. Eastern houris, gypsies, Portias, lawyers, soldiers, and cowboys, who usually figure in such cntcrtainraenta.

Great praise is due to Mr. Keesing, the chairman of the committee, ami to Mr. Bloxhara, the hon. sec. of the committee (which itself was composed of diapery assistants from all the leading establishments), for the excellence of all the arrangements connected with the ball. The committee were very grateful for the handsome donations towards the prize funds wliich were contributed by the local Press, iind to the many helper*, whose assistance contributed in making the ball tho unquestioned sucuoes tlint it ivas. Although tlie masks were discarded fairly early in the evening, dancing was kept up with great vigour and enjoyment, and mirth was unconfined until after one o'clock in the morning.

Notwithstanding the very frying conditions of wind and dust, tho members of the Catholic Knitting Guild had a very successful day on Thursday last at Eoulcott Street in aid of the "Our Dav" Fund, and handed in £W1 7s. 10tl. Of (his sum the flower stall made ,£8 175.; sweets, £19; cakes, etc., J!18 Os. Id.; fancy goods, ,E46 7s. !)d.; eggs and butter, £12 55.; surprise packets, etc., J322 12s. j vegetables, ill 10s.; kiwi badges, M 7s. Gd.; collecting boxes, £20 7s. 5Jd.; ;md the two flags under tho untiring caro of Mrs. Ryland, .£l9 Os. Did. The executive is most grateful to ill who worked so hard to attain this result, and to those who contributed in any way. A special meed of thanks is cine to the Marist boys, who attracted a largo nnn> W of b.qjere and givers by their band.