FANCY DRESS BALL

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 48, 20 August 1917, Page 9

FANCY DRESS BALL

A GREAT SUCCESS

Saturday, 18th August, will long be remembered by the assemblage of youth and beauty _that thronged the main chamber of the Town Hall on Saturday afternoon, when the fancy dress ball promoted by the committee of Terrace ladies working on behalf of R-ed Cross funds was held. The scene was delightfully picturesque, the variety of costuming and the brilliance of the colour ensemble blending to produce a kaleidoscope of gaiety and bizarre effect. The hall was brightly decorated with flags and streamers, and an added diann was the sunlight on the moving picture. The children came in crowds, «.nd the floor space was barely sufficient to accommodate -all. To render voting easier the promoters had hit upon a parade of the characters across the raised platform, and the vast audience was thus able to see »udV select its favourites. Much ingenuity was displayed in the frocking of the girls and boys, and the daintiness aud prettiness of some were set off to greatest acVvantage by tfae contrast afforded by the spectacle of weird and unique figures that wended their way among the throng and threw into relief the more girlish styles. The grand march was a maze of- colour, and the brilliance of th© scene raised many admiring comments from the interested spectators. A bevy of balloon girls, in dainty confections of violet, short-skirted, and flushed with excitement, led 1 off, and were followed by a party of girls- in snow-white winter costumes a la Russe. A piquant little bride on the arm of her returned soldier husband was a radiant little figure, and what both lacked in inches was more than countered by the extreme dignity of their bearing. In turn followed dainty nurses, placid-faced Quakeresses, Uncle Sam and his lady in typical stars and stripes, Irish coileens, Persian ladies in harem attire, dear wee Buttercups, arid the tiniest of fairies. Indian boys and girls. Ophelia in all her sadness of expression, a portly Lord Mayor, courtiers, a mid-Victorian lady in quaint flounces and poke bonnet, jesters, Peter Pan, pierrettes, a stately monk,, a dainty girl artist, roses, violets, futurist demoiselles, costers. Powder and Patches, Maori warrior and wa-hine, and a host of other distinctive characters. There was a good representation of a "tank" that looked quite military with its convoy of ldi-a.ki-c.lad children ; the costevs had an excited "donkey that caused no end of fun ; and John Chinaman, with his counter and display of wares, manipulated his cumbersome accessories with telling effect. A strapping "(rlaxo" baby was accompanied by a. diminutive nurse and equally diminutive "pram,", and contentedly strolled- round sucking tlie_ while at her well-filled bottle; a "Big Ben" clock was borne put well in character, and the defiant strut of the rooster bearing the legend of a wellknown braiajfc^njiitter was the admired of admired; this costume was of outstanding .originality, and was at once grotesque and true to life. A pineapple pranced about gleefully, and there wsts ai pretty girl in blanket costume, with a snow-white lamb on her .woollen headgear. The "Kewpics" were charming, the baby "Kewpie" looking the picture of rosiness and charm in pink costume. The toddlers came in for a share of attention. A duo of girls in Night an-d Day costumes made an ideal couple, and the- little Flax girls looked charming. A strolling musician paid court to a}\ and sundry, including "Charley's Aunt," and the daintiest of girls in autumn frocks moved around flaunting their charms before spring, summer, and winter, while Turks and other national characters wandered round picking up partners. There were the Scotch lassies, sailors, soldiers. Princes in the Tower, and hundreds of other delightful representations of char acters from life, fiction, and history. The selection of prize-winners devolved on the audience, whose voting resulted in the following' being given the reward for originality and charm in dressing:— For the groups, the "Balloons," in whom were, included Dorothy a-nd Margaret. Herbert and AiL«a Nelson ; the best pair, "The Fairies," Betty Meo and Selwyn Too-good; most original costume, .trie "Tank," Eila- Chapman. Other prizewinners were: Beatrice Holmes, who was an early Victorian lady; Audrey Howell, who represented the clock; Esmc Hamer■ton, who appeared as the Rooster (Defiance) ; and Douglas Roach, an early Victorian.

Her Excellency Lady Liverpool was present and handed the prizes to the lucky recipients. Other guests were Lady Ward, Sirs. Massey, and Mrs. Luke. Several pupils of Miss Estelle | Beore gave exhibitions, including the Russian mazurka ballet in their smart white fur . costumes depicting winter. Kathleen O'Brien danced a tambourine movement, and Joan Beere and Irene Taylor in striped flocks danced ragtime. Little Betty Maynard, in on effective floral frock, danced un pas de senl, her toe dancing and dainty arm movements being cleverly executed. Little Hazel Robinson, in a dashing Hussar uniform, did a march-dance with real military deportment. The orchestra, under Mr. A. Williams, discoursed pleasant music, and kept the feet of the little ones on the move with lilting selections. A Punch and Judy Show drew like a- magnet, and soon there was a. silent gathering of the juveniles in all points of- position, gazing } in wonder and. merriment as the show proceeded. Then there was the sumptuous tea party, to which a,ll were invited, and it was as refreshing as a glimpse into fairyland to -view the tables with their complement of strange characters, who, however, were very human •in the hearty way with which they disposed of the wholesome fate provided by Mrs. J. Pindlay and assistants. The afternoon was spent gaily, and when the time for departure came, regret was clearly depicted on the children's faces. Their day had como and gone, but it had been a happy one. They went their way contented, tired, brightly talkative, and extremely satisfied, while the. ladies who had given them such a happy time felt that their labours had indeed been rewarded, and that brilliant success had attended their 1917 Children's Fancy Dress Ball. Assisting with the floor arrangements were Mrs. Sleeman, Mrs. Dykes, Mrs. Johnson, Miss Beere, Colonel Hughes, Major Waite, Mi\ Nelson, and others.The committee responsible for the dance comprised Mesdames Adams, J. Findlay. | A. K. Whyte, Nelson, Herbert, Mitford, Johnson, Geddis, Sleeman, Tringham, Francis, Holmes, Dykes, and W. Young. The committee wishes to thank Misses Adams, Beere, and Kane, Capt. HallThompson, the newspapers, the D.1.C., the Bristol, Mrs. Fisher, Mrs. Hamilton and helpers, Miss Wheeler and helpers, j My. Leslie and stuff, and Mr. Tringham and helpers. The prizes were donated by Mrs. Louis BluudcU, Mrs. James Findlay, Mrs. Herbert,, Mr. D. Tripe, .Messrs'. Kiikcaldic :ind Stains. Ltd., and ■.Whitcombe find Tombs, Ltd. ; Mrs. H. Gilmer, son., donated Hit; music. Special prisas were awarded to the clockj the bridal couple, and the tank.

At a meeting of the executive of the Aotea Convalescent Home it wa« reported that tile following packages had been received since the previous meeting: — (One. case of clothing from Lady Liverpool's Fund, Masterton; 4 case* Christmas -parcels from Lady Liverpool Fund, Ma&tfirton; 3 cases effects from St. Johji Ambulance, Wellington; 1 case clothing from Mayoress's Patriotic Com- I mittee, Palmerston North ; 1 caee clothing from Carterton. Women's Patriotic Society; 2 cases Christmas parcels from Waiiganui Patriotic Society; 6 cases, containing 300 Christmas puddings, Wellington "Meat Export Co. ; 2 cases clothing, Mre. Bailey, Ohakea. Wedding Announcement. — Beautiful roses and choicest flowers are used when designing wedding bouquets. Packed and forwarded through the Dominion. Miss Murray, Vice-regal fioriste, 36; Willis-street.—Advt. Why not send a parcel to your soldier friend at the front? Godber's pack cakes, sweoto,'. etc , in air tight tine to catch the mail exch week. Write or call for particulars. Cuba-street, Lambton-quay, Courtenay-plaoe. and Trent-ham.—-Advt. For Ladies—Our dainty silk scarves are ideal fir comfort and smart appearance. We have the prettiest shades imaginable. Herb. Price, 54-56, Willis-street.—Advt. Cheery wives plentiful since No Rubbing laundry help arrived and abolished washboard slavery. Never attempt to wash woollens, silks, muslins, or mechanics' overalls without the aid of No Rubbing. Is packets every time. Wellington grocers. —Advt. Tweed Overcoats for boys of 8 years upwards from 15s 6d to 455. Smaller boys, from 7s 6d to 255. Geo. Fowlds, Ltd., Manners-street.—Advt. THE SERVANT PROBLEM. The demand for domestic eervants seems incapable- of being met. Housework mu6fc be clone, and the modern housewife wants modern methods. The Daisy Vacuum Cleaner, owing to its simplicity, ease of manipulation, and effectiveness, is ever increasing in popularity. In many models and at prices to suit all. Easy terms. The first cost is all the cost. Free demonstrations arranged in your own home. Oscar Howett and Co., 56, Cuba-street (just below Bank N.Z.). 'Phone 520.—Advt. Women ought to know that superfluous hairs on the face are not a permanent disfigurement if properly treated. They can be removed quickly, and can be removed permanently and without pain and publicity. There is one remedy that has never failed in this work—and that remedy is Mrs. Huilen's Rusma, the Superfluous Hair Eradica-tor. It can be used in the privacy of one's bedroom—it is inexpensive—it is painless— and, above all, it is guaranteed effective. Write for testimonials to Mrs. 'Hulk-n, Toilet Specialist, 3, Courtenayplace, Wellington.—Advt.