SPLENDID BALL

Evening Post, Issue 27, 31 July 1935, Page 15

SPLENDID BALL

FAREWELL TO ALL BLACKS

TOWN HALL CROWDED

A truly splendid annual ball, which on this occasion made a grand send-off to the "All Blacks," was given by the Poneke Football Club in the Town Hall last night. The committee, enthusiastically assisted by many others, had completely transformed the hall (which, like all town halls, has normally rather an austere appearance) into a scene gay with festive colours. To the dancers the hall appeared to be no higher than the balcony. All the high ceiling was hidden by a positive canopy of streamers and fairy lights, which radiated from the central chandelier, itself ■ ablaze with multicoloured lights, down and out to the balcony. More streamers hung from the balcony, and over these loops of the fairy light's made a pleasingly symmetrical design. All the streamers were in the club's colours, red and black. They were also twined round all the pillars, together with sprays of golden wattle.

The orchestra was seated on the stage, which was beautifully decorated with ferns, large bowls of white narcissi and japoilica, and a Union Jack and the New Zealand flag. Black draperies formed the background, and a black banner with the name "Poneke" in red block letters hung overhead, from one side of the stage to the other.

A number of alcoves were partitioned off with yellow curtains, and each was comfortably furnished with sofas and armchairs. The Poneke banner hung on the wall in the one reserved for the "All Blacks." The rest of the hall had large fern fronds fastened to the walls.

The "All Blacks," all of whom were present, were introduced by Mr. S. S. Dean (president of the. Poneke Football Club and chairman of the management committee of the New Zealand R.F.U.), and were given a rousing welcome. After the speeches a presentation was made by the club to Mr. Dean. ■ ■

Mr. David Devitt's ballet of fifteen girls, wearing black satin shorts and black jerseys, did a clever "Football": tap dance. This was a great success. •,

The supper tables in the Concert Chamber were a lovely sight. A delicious sit-down supper was'served on several-long tables arranged right; across the room. The tables were! decorated with masses of Iceland poppies mixed with birch, and a red basket, with a tall handle tied with a large bow of red and black satin ribbon, stood in the centre of each table. The official table had these colourful basketsT arid vases of Iceland poppies alternating right down its length. Yellow paper napkins stood in the glasses,' and "the whole was most effective. - ■"■ , , •

The committee comprised Mrs. ;F. .J. Tilyard (who wore powder blue matalasse trimmed with gold.lame, and a shoulder spray of red cyclamen, carnations, and maidenhair fern), Miss A; Murray (pink faille, and a shoulder spray of pink carnations and cyclamen), Miss B. Booh (black lace), and Messrs. F, J. Tilyard ■ (hon; secretary), J. Payne, T. Crichton, and N. Windsor.

Among those present were Mr. and Mrs. S. S. Dean, Mr. and Mrs. ,C. .Tilyard, Mr. and Mrs: N. McCartney, Mr. and Mrs. Reich, Mr.'and Mrs. C. Williams, Mr. and Mrs. A. Hose, Mr. and Mrs; A. Mr.- and- Mrs. Smith; Mr. A. Wireiv.Mrs. Slater,; -Mr. p. : Alexj. ander/'Mrl arid Mrs. A. 'Griffiths; 'Mr!' and Mrs. H. Wilson, Miss,J. Merricki Miss Simmonds, Mr.' and Mrs. R. Clarke, Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Ellis, Mr. L. Pickering, Mr. B. Hamblin, Mrs. Ford (Invercargill), Mr. and Mrs. A. Pope,' Mr. and Mrs. J. Watkins, Mr. and Mrs. B. Algar, Mr. and Mrs. Turfus, Mr. and Mrs. P. Stone, Mr. and Mrs. F. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. W. R. King, Mr. C. Hogg, Mr. Clarke, Dr. T. Higgins (Napier), Mr/N. Porritt, Mr; and Mrs. S. R. Murray, Mr. and Mrs. N. Ball, Mr. and Mrs. H. Russell, Mr. and Mrs.'-T. R. Booker, Mr. and Mrs. H. Tilyard, Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson, Mr. and Mrs. Avery, Mr. and Mrs. Rowntree, Mr. and Mrs. P. Stone, Mr. and Mrs. E. McCready,'Mrs.. E. Dell, Mrs. D. Dell, Mr. and Mrs. B. Jeffries, Mr. and Mrs. Stairmand, Mr. and Mrs. Hunter, Mr. and Mrs. L. Murtagh, Mr. and Mrs. Donnelly, Mr. and Mrs. Mitchinson, Mr. and Mrs. F. Bryant, Mr. and Mrs. W. Wilson, Mrs.. Bruford; the Misses E. Griffiths, J. Wilson, J. Merrick, Simmonds, Burnett, Fabian, Taylor, Lowry, Harris, U. Hutton (Napier), R. Green; M. Harrop, Tilzey, Dickens, C. Griffiths, Hall, D. McKenzie, L. Robertson, White, M.> McKenzie, G. Wadley, Brindle, L. Robertson, N. McKenzie, C. Bannister, Hayes, Bringerns, N. Murphy, G. Millar, J. Murphy, G. Stowe, M. Hale; and Messrs. W. Wheeler, A. E. Watkins, R. McNight, I Connors, C. Wheeler, F. Mitchinson, S. Smith, K. Smith,, J. Merrick, B. Hunter, A. Jaggers, 'K. Butler, and many others.