SOLDIERS' BALL

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 49, 26 August 1938, Page 14

SOLDIERS' BALL

SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN

Through the generosity of wellknown Wellington business firms and several private individuals, almost all the expenses incurred by the Disabled Soldiers' Committee in holding their ball in St. Francis Hall last night were covered, and receipts thus were mostly clear profit. The orchestra was in particularly good form, and with excellent decorations the dancers thoroughly enjoyed the evening. A multitude of flags strung diagonally across the ceiling gave a sufficiently military atmosphere, and with some of the guests in uniform and others wearing their decorations, the soldierly effect was considerably heightened. Great "Flanders" poppies vaunted their colours against a background of equally large bluebells massed in groups on the stage, and imitation branches of japonica in a pale shade of pink spread over the walls and reflected in the long horizontal mirrors. Mock lilies in almost nightmarish proportions were set in a large green Grecian vase on the stair landing, and were tied with a huge green bow. The messroom was gay with Iceland poppies in shades of pink and gold, and a notice on the door urged guests to "fall to." Mrs. G. A. King (president of the committee) received the guests with Mrs. Dennistoun-Wood (secretary), and other auxiliary members. Mrs. King wore a graceful frock of black silk velvet with a corsage spray of pink camellias and carnations. She carried an Egyptian shawl of beaten silver. Mrs. Dennistoun-Wood was in navy watermarked silk moire with a selfspot. Her shoulder spray of dark red cyclamen and anemones matched the colouring of her floral coatee. Mrs. Lamberg wore black lace over satin with a white fur cape. Mrs. Haslett was in midnight blue velvet with a white coatee, and Mrs. Marshall Macdonald, 0.8. E., was in a frock of turquoise figured satin with a gold sequin coatee. The committee was convened by Major L. B. Porteous.

Among those present were LieutColonel and Mrs. Mitchell, Major and Mrs. Harrison, Mr. and Mrs. R. Chatterton, Mr. and Mrs. Biss, Mr. and Mrs. Fairhall, Miss Mourant, Lieut.Colonel Lyons, Mr. Brodie, Miss Barbara Dennistoun-Wood, Mr. Sidney Smith, Miss Agnes McLean, Miss Madge McGreggor, Mr. C. DennistounWood, Miss Doris Hussey, Colonel Harris, Dr. and Mrs. Marshall Macdonald, Mrs. G. Webb, and Mr. Andrews.