AUCKLAND VICTORIA LEAGUE

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 127, 31 May 1935, Page 15

AUCKLAND VICTORIA LEAGUE

It was a happy coincidence that the silver jubilee of his Majesty the King should happen approximately at the same time as that of the Auckland branch of the Victoria league, and the Silver Jubilee Empire ball, which was held in the Town. Hall by the league, celebrated in a most cheery and enthusiastic manner the auspicious double event, says the "New Zealand Herald." There was a very large gathering of dancers and onlookers, the largest probably that has yet attended the ball, and the bright yet simple decorations of the hall made a charming setting for so picturesque a gathering.

As is now the established Custom of the league, the dancing of the minuet, in which eight sets took part, was the outstanding feature of the evening. The graceful period frocks of the dancers, the stately measure of the minuets, the haunting melody of the music, made an old-world appeal that was singularly alluring. Also very attractive was the dancing of a number of special sets, these including folk dances and others that were a feature of every fashionable gathering many years ago. . There was a fine decorative scheme of pink and silver. THE VICEREGAL PARTY. Their Excellencies the GovernorGeneral Viscount Galway and Viscountess Galway were received on arrival in the vestibule of the Town Hall by Mrs. J. B. Macfarlane, chairman of the ball committee, Miss C.' and Miss F. Murray, joint honorary secretaries, Mr. W. Crowther and Mr. J. Cochrane, who conducted them to. the stage where they were received by Miss J. Mowbray, president of the League. In the viceregal party we're Major and Mrs. Purvis, Captain A. Heber-Percy, and Sir Standish O'Grady Roche. A beautiful bouquet of crimson and pink shaded roses from the garden of Mrs. H. H. Partridge was presented to Viscountess Galway by Miss Mowbray. Her Excellency was wearing a graceful frock of water-lily green souple satin, slightly trained, with black ostrich feather trimming. A rope of pearls was also worn. Miss Mowbray was in a frock of black Chantilly lace over gold lame; Mrs. Purvis, black souple satin with shoulder scarf lined with rose satin; the Mayoress, Mrs. Ernest Davis, black satin with diamante insets on the corsage;- Miss C. Murray, black lace with diamante' trimming; Miss F. Murray, delphinium blue lace. CHARM AND GRACE. Shortly after the arrival of their Excellencies the dancing of the minuet took place and as set after set gave way, finally ending in a performance in which all took part, the effect was one of much charm and grace. The pretty colouring of the period frocks, the silver wigs, the daintily coquettish use of the fans, added a grace that these bustling, hurrying days of 1935 seldom see. Miss.Daphne Knight was responsible for the training of the minuet dancers and her ensemble set was another striking feature of the programme. .

Not only did their. Excellencies act the part of spectators, but they frequently danced as well.