WINTER NIGHTS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 220, 13 June 1936, Page 6

WINTER NIGHTS

Attractive Decorations at P. and T. Ball

MANY DANCERS

One of the most unusual and successful decorative schemes ever used in the Wellington Town Hall was to be seen last night when the annual ball of the Post and Telegraph Department— always a most popular event—was held. The entire ball looked as A winter had laid her hand on it, the result being that one wanted to dance and dance to keep warn and enter thoroughly into the real spirit of the occasiou. The decorations committee, who must have worked at top speed all day to achieve so praiseworthy a result, are to be congratulated on theli efforts for seldom before has- the Town Hall presented so attractive a sight. A great feature of the decorations was that nothing was hung too high, and that the coiling, always a problem in this hall, was completely _ obscured from view. From side to side of the gallery were strung wide streamers ot off-white crepe paper and hanging from them were hundreds upon hundreds of ••snowflakes” interspersed with g isteuing “icicles,” cleverly made ot silver tinsel. Also strung above the heads of the dancers, aud entwined in the snowflakes and streamers, were festoons ot dim coloured lights which cast a sort "low over everyone and everything. D The body of the lia.ll was no less attractive. All the pillars were covered with greenery, which was also to be seen along the walls under the gallery and at the rear of the hall, where a trellis of foliage was brightened by countless yellow and orange chrysanthemums. The front of the stage, housing the neatly-uniformed orchestra, which played popular numbers, both old-time aud modern, was decorated with green foliage and with tall hydrangeas, large brass jardinieres containing similar blooms hanking the sides of the comfortably-furnished logo in which the official party was seated. Particularly cheery to see were the glowing braziers that were placed at each side of the stage and in front of all the pillars. Settees and easy chairs were arranged in groups under the gallery at the sides of the hall and iu the rear portion, all these sitting-out places being illuminated by quaint hanging lamps with coloured shades in oriental design. Similar lights, on a smaller scale, were strung around the walls. A further touch of colour was provided by the orange and yellow streamers looped around the front of the gallery and radiating iu fan shape from the bases of the pillars to the gallery’s edge. A pleasing and novel effect was introduced into the scheme of lighting, wheLcby the “snowflakes" and “icicles” changed colour every now and then, a cold ice-blue shade gradually melting into a stormy green mid then slowly changing from white into a pink that suggested the rising of the sun—and warmth. Supper was served iu the concert chamber which was profusely decorated with many flags and standards. Officials Present. • The ball was attended by the Post-master-General, the Hon. F. Jones, and Mrs. Jones, the latter wearing a frock of black mariette with trimmings of dull gold lame. Also present in the ollicial party were .Mr. G. McNamara, Director-General of the Post and Telegraph Department, and Mrs. McNamara, the latter wearing champagne chantilly lace ami net with ostrich feather trimming in two shades of rose; Mr. J. .McDermott, chief engineer, aud Mrs. McDermott ’(black georgette with godets of black lace and shoulder spray of roses aud long black velvet wrap); Mr. F. J. Shanks, Deputy-Director-, General, and Mrs. Shanks (deep green silver-threaded cloque with brown fur cape) ; Mr. A. Marshall, director of accounts, and Mrs. Marshall (beige lace with touches of georgette and shoulder spray). Guests of Mr. and Mrs. McNamara were Miss H. Hurley (pink moire taffeta) and Mr. T. Burks. Other officials present were Mr. J. Madden, chief postmaster, and Mrs. Madden, Mr. P. Cutforth, deputy-director of accounts.

The committee responsible for the success of the occasion comprised Aliss D. AlcKinley (blue stiffened net over taffeta with touches of pink), Miss J. Dunphy (white taffeta), Miss E. Rutldell, Aliss J. Burton (black georgette), (Miss N. Green (pastel green suede crepe with apricot feather shoulder trimmings), Miss Thelma Adamson (lilac taffeta, petunia peony roses ou shoulder), Aliss L. Hill, Messrs. A. J. Cameron (secretary), A. Marshall, F. W. Elwin, J. G. Young, H. M. Patrick, W. G. Morgan, O. J. Mullens, E. E. Wallace, A. M. Pinkerton, J. Crimmin, IL Hill. W. I. Gibson, H. E. McKinley, A. AV. Griffiths, M. O’Hagan, D. A. Murray, C. Bremner, A. Barker, H. Simmons.

The several hundred dancers included members of the staffs of the various branches of the Post and Telegraph Department and tlieir friends.