SHIPBOARD DANCE

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 114, 8 February 1937, Page 4

SHIPBOARD DANCE

Gay Scene on Durham

Commander 11. L. Upton and the officers and cadets of the liner Durham gave a delightful dance on board the ship on Saturday night. By clever decoration the decks were so completely transformed as to suggest a cabaret effect, though at the same time none of the peculiar glamour attached to a shipboard dance was lost. Awnings over the decks shut out all possible draughts, and flags of all nations were draped round to give a particularly bright appearance. Rows and rows of coloured lights, each one covered with a little parchment shade, shed a glow over the dancers, and in every available corner there .were tubs of blue hydrangeas and palms, which completed the charming scene. Novelty dances were included in the programme provided by an excellent orchestra, and a spot dance was won by Miss Valinai Cramond and partner. Paper hats of a particularly gay variety were handed to the dancers, some of the “tiaras,” of silver paper and glitter dust, given to the women folk being extraordinarily realistic. Supper was served on the decks, and consisted of a delectable variety of savouries and cakes that had been made on the ship, and later in the evening ice-creams were very welcome after a few hours of strenuous dancing. Mrs. C. M. Turrell, wearing black lace ami a white embossed velvet coat, was guest of honour, Miss Mona Brien, secretary of the junior branch of the Wellington Navy League, who wore flame and velvet, acted as hostess and Commander Upton received the guests with her. The ship’s officers who were present were Messrs. F. Renny, H. N. Lawson, G. D. Baldwin, M. Young, Cox, Brash, Cowell. Downie, Attfield. and Dr. Emery.

The invited guests were: Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Sinel, Mr. Spite, Mr. and Mrs. Harbottle, Mr. Carr, Captain F. C. Pretty, Mr. Mason, Mr. Dell (from the Hurunui), Major O’Neill, Mrs. C. B. Baigent, Misses Nancy Olphert, Irene Spidy, Valerie Robertson, Valerie Caselberg, M. Robertson, Muriel Hunt, Noeline and Valmai Cramond, Betty ami Nancy Jones. Pat GreenfieldBrown, Honor and Shirley Flanagan, Ola Pearce. Lola Thompson, Joan Ewart, Annette Gunn, Joan Stackpoole, Rosalie Bates, and Suzanne Yeats.