FITTINGLY FESTIVE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 74, 25 September 1944, Page 8

FITTINGLY FESTIVE

FIFTH BIRTHDAY OF THE A.INJ.A. CLUB

The A.N.A. Club, which was inaugurated a fortnight after war was declared in 1939, celebrated its fifth anniversary on Saturday night, and in | a way that was expressive of the rising j spirit of the times. A Mardi Gras, or fancy dress dance, was held. All the arrangements had been made by Mrs. A. McKinnon and Miss Kay Farquhar. They had the enthusiastic co-operation of other club members and. in the matter of decorations, of a number of servicemen. Posters, streamers, and masses of lovely flowers transformed the club rooms; a home-made party supper, including a large birthday cake, was provided and served by canteen workers; members made sweets, posies of flowers, and paper hats, which were distributed among the dancers, and the girls who took part in an Argentine ballet (trained ' by j Elaine Montgomery, the soloist) made their own elaborate "Carmen Mirandaish" costumes. Every girl who attended the dance was dressed in a fancy dress costume, and the paper hats, moustaches, or masks worn by the men put the final touch to the carnival scene.

There were 600 dancers, and Mr. and Mrs. Martin Luckie, who were the guests of honour, had a difficult task

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in deciding upon the prize-winners in the fancy dress competition. The Argentine dance item presented by the girls was burlesqued by six men from Trentham Military Camp and caused intense amusement. Other items included a tap dance by Miss Pat Cooper, and a humorous "bull" and toreador number.

A short address was given by. Mr. Luckie, who spoke of the fine work the club had done for the men, of the Services and the part it had played in helping to maintain'the morale of the Forces. The Hon. Vincent Ward, M.L.C., who. accompanied by Mrs. Ward, visited the club during the course of the evening, also, on behalf of the Wellington Metropolitan Patriotic Committee, expressed great appreciation of the club and its steadfast voluntary helpers. Sergeant W. Blair, on behalf of the men, added a tribute and thanks.