A SUCCESFUL FINALE

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 147, 23 June 1924, Page 9

A SUCCESFUL FINALE

THE BENEFIT BALL.

One of the most crowded balls held in the Town Hall took place on Saturday night, when the final act of tho great Historical Pageant recently held in aid of the Community Club for Territorials and Senior Cadets, and tho Garrison Funds, was the holding of a- benefit ball for Gunner Patrick, who lost his right hand in an accident at tho Park during the pageant. An added attraction was the drawing of the great art union, .which formed part of tho pageant. Outside the hall, the Artillery Band was stationed, and'the inspiring music drew a crowd of listeners, and was enjoyed inside as well as outside. Decorations, which consisted of many flags and multi-coloured draperies, ropes of lycopodium and paper flowers, and coloured lights, were carried out by a number of members of artillery units, who worked well and enthusiastically for the benefit of their comrade, and the cause generally, with a most satisfactory result. Mr. J. Smythe was the organiser of the ball, and was assisted by a number of the pageant workers, and by a ladies' committee, which took charge of all the supper arrangements. In these "capable hands everything went merrily, with no "hitches," and the big hall and Concert Chamber— each provided with a first-class orchestra —were crowded with dancers, there being many onlookers in the gallery, who came for the purpose of witnessing the drawing of the .art union. Two handsome prizes were given for the prettiest costume, and the best-designed hat worn by ladies. Miss Eila Liardet gained the first, a gold wristlet watch, with a charming representation of "Americe,"' in futurist pierrot style, carried out in white satin, gold and blue, with a particularly artistic headdress. Miss Crumpton's hat was in crown style, with figures of pageant characters ingeniously drawn and cut out, her prize being a dainfy manicure set of a new fashion. The judges included the Mayoress (Mrs. R. A. Wright) and Mrs. Pow. The supper was. set under the gallery, and was staffed by a number of ladies who were workers at the pageant as well as several others. The response of Wellington ladies to the request for supper dishes was so generous that the'whole big party was catered for on a voluntary basis, and the women's committee desires to thank all donors very heartily for their generosity. The feature of the evening, and the event in which most interest was taken, was the drawing of the Citizen Soldiers' Pageant Art Union. Shortly after 10 o'clock a huge parcel containing over 40,000 art union tickets was hoisted, and after the barrel had been rotated sufficiently,- the drawing was proceeded with under the supervision of the police. Gunner Patrick performed the drawing. The first prize, alluvial gold, valued at £350, was won by ticket number 2087. As there was no name on the ticket butt the executive was unable to announce the name of the winner, but subsequent investigation of the books showed that the ticket was sold by one oi the workers in aid of the candidature of _ Mary Queen of Scots. The second prize, alluvial gold, valued at £30 went to No. 70705, held by W. A. Maddren. Randolph street, Christchurch. The third prize, a gold nugget, valued at £20, was won by R, G. Cahill, of Bullingen and Co., Princess street, Dunedin, with ticket No. 72391. Twenty-five £1 prizes were also drawn. At the conclusion Gunner Patrick was personally honoured by all singing .'•For He's " a Jolly Good Fellow," and by giving ln'm three hearty cheers.