CHARITY BALL

Evening Star, Issue 22688, 30 June 1937, Page 16

CHARITY BALL

CUTSTANDING SOCIAL EVENT STRIKING DECORATIONS IN TOWN HALL Revived after a laps© last year, the 1937 Charity Ball, held in the Town Hall last night, may bo regarded as a conspicuous success from the social point of view, and as a matter of organisation. The members of the Roman Catholic community who were responsible for the hall are to bo congratulated on the result of the event, which was patronised by about 700 dancers, while the gal lety was well filled in the early part of,the evening. This ,generous support of the public means that a fairly substantial amount will be available for distribution among the New Zealand Crippled Children’s Society, the St. Vincent de Paul Orphanage, and the Waverlcy Boys’ Home.

Strikingly beautiful decorations in soft shades and, tones, tastefully ax-

ranged by Mr Les Hill, of tlio D.1.C., were a feature of the ball on this occasion. Green, mauve, and purple paper streamers were artistically used, with a central feature in the form of a chandolier-shaped pendant in _ green suspended from the top of the middle of the hall, while pleasing variety was given by the use of pot plants and baskets of ferns hanging from beneath the gallery. The stage decorations were especially effective, curtained streamers in green, mauve, and purjple forming a striking background to a glittering monogram in silver, “ For Charity,” which directed pointed attention to the object of the ball. Foliage and pot plants were charmingly arranged on the stage, which from all parts of the hall presented a delightful effect. Mr Hill’s decorations were also extended to the supper room, where vases of choice flowers' were prettily arrangd on the tables, and the stage nicely picked out in the green of graceful fern and foliage. Dancing was between 8 p.tn. and 2 a.m., and the floor was comfortably filled by 9 o’clock. As usual the programme embraced both old-time and modern dances, and young and old extracted the maximum amount of pleasure from either class. The music was supplied by the Savonia Dance Band, which was in full force for the occasion. The most important event of the evening was the presentation of debutantes to His Lordship Bishop Whyte, who was accompanied by the Right Rev. Mgr. C. J. Morkane. All the arrangements for the picturesque presentation of these young ladies and for the general conduct of the _ ball worked admirably, and were a tribute to the energy and whole-hearted cooperation of all concerned. The Presentation of Debutantes. The bishop, who was accompanied by Right. Rev. Mgr. Morkane, was met at the door of the hall by Mr J. H. A. M'Keefry, chairman or the Charity Ball Committee, and escorted through the hall by a guard of honour comprising Messrs F. E. Woods, D. .Whelan, H. K. Poppolwell,' V. Pledger, and Dr S. L. Geerin. On the stage were the matrohs-of-honour—Mrs C. T. Stewart, who wore a black penguin model frock, with fine pleated train, full net sleeves, with hand-embroidered white chrysanthemums, white ermine cape, with black tips; Mrs W. J. Goughian, in a handsome model frock of mulberry lace over satin, trimmed with fur, gold roses at neckline, velvet cape, gold lining. Each was presented witli a lovely bouquet of flowers to tone with her gown by the Charity Ball Committee. The debutantes walked slowly through the hall, escorted by their partners. At the stage they were presented to the bishop by Mr M’Keefry, and after curtsying they kissed his ring, and then took their places in a semi-circle behind'the official party. All dressed in white, with no colour except the flowers in their posies and the gold streamers fluttering down, they made a charming picture grouped under the graceful fronds of the tall tree-ferns. When all were presented, the bishop addressed the whole assemblage in a few well-chosen words. The girls then joined their partners for tho grand march, which ended in the special debutantes’ dance. This was a most attractive item, being a study in black and white, the dinner suits of the men acting as a distinctive background for the girls’ white frocks. When all present joined in the dance tho scene from tho gallery, with tho hall a wonderful kaleidoscope of brilliant colours, was a very charming one.

The Debutantes. The debutantes were:— Miss Mary Coll, ivory lace over ivory satin. Miss Margaret Mowat, white suede lace, skirt of pleated tulle frills. Miss Bridget Herlihy, ivory lace, diamante trimmings. Miss Nellie Oliver, white silk satin, Victorian style. Miss Margaret Horan, white Chenille, relieved with silver lame. Miss Patricia Kinney, white lace, silk net frills. Miss Mary Kinney, white lace, silk net frills. Miss Bernice Smith, white spotted satin taffeta and white flowers. Miss Avis Phelan, white lace over satin. Miss Patricia O’Connor, period frock of ivory lace. Miss Joan O’Connor, ivory lame damask. Miss Joyce M'Kellar, mid-Victorian frock of tulle and georgette. Miss Mary Wallace, white phantom crepe, cowl neckline. Miss Margaret Boyle, tunic frock of white figured taffeta. Miss Teresa Robertson, metalised cloque. Miss Alice Hassett, white lace over satin. Miss Bridget Hassett, white lace over satin. Miss Margaret O’Connell, white hailstone net over satin, frilled skirt. Miss K. M'Mullan, Victorian frock x>f ivory satin. Miss Catherine Gibb, white lace over satin. Miss Ngaire Harrison, white Spanish lace over satin. Miss Nelli© Herlihy, hailstone net over taffeta. Miss Leanore Yiiill, white cellophane georgette, with pink spray. Miss Joyce Smith, ivory Chantilly lace. Miss Eileen White, magnolia satin. Miss Zita Kavanagh, ivory taffeta. Miss Mary de Largey, white georgette. Miss Imelda Wood, ripple satin and spray of whit© gardenias. Miss Margarto Fogarty, white lace, silver trimmings. Miss Kathleen Fogarty, whit© lace, silver trimmings. Miss Doris Chave, white silk taffeta. Miss Winifred Casey, white stiffened lac© and tulle. Miss Frances Scanlan, hailstone net over taffeta. Miss Maura Toomey, white taffeta cut on Princess lines. Miss Constance Taylor, white krinkled crepe. Miss Molly Whitty, white embossed cloque. _ Miss Carroll Croshie, white lace and silver. Miss Patricia Towne, white taffeta, early Victorian style. The Chaperones. The chaperones were:— Mrs W. T. Henaghan, who was dressed in Gloucester, green and gold embossed velvet, with handsome threequarter velvet coat to match, trimmed with fitch fur. Mrs R. Hungerford, in lettuce green lace over eau-de-nil satin, salmon velvet roses on shoulder, ermine coatee. Mrs A. Clark, in a graceful black chiffon velvet gown with bishop sleeves and cowl neckline, trimmed with silver flowers. Mrs A. J. Doling, in shot silver hammered metal, made on classical lines, with long shoulder drape caught at the knee with cluster of apricot velvet flowers. The Executive. The executive comprised the following;—Right Rev. Mgr. Morkane, Messrs J. T. A. M'Keefry (chairman), J. Mooney (secretary), H. O’Reilly, G. F. Hall, G. D. O’Connell, and W. F. Sligo. On account of the illness of Mr N. Jolly, Mr P. Vallis carried out the duties of presentation convener. Ladies’ Supper Committee. This committee comprised the following ; —Mesdames 0. T. Stewart (chairwoman); J. Richardson, who wore a gown of reseda green satin, W. Crawford, burgundy frock with lace trimmings; W. J. Goughian; Van Paine, black velvet frock with brocaded coat; B. Rodgerson, black silk velvet with a design in tiny red and white cire flowers; F. Baker, black taffeta; W. Jones, nigger brown frock with a design in white and flame colour and oyster velvet coat; V. Cahill, black velvet; H. A. Neale, silver lame; J. Pettit, black velvet: W. Simpson; R. Deveney; E. M. Allen; Fogarty; F. F. Caley; W. Carroll; W. Boyle; R. S. Howard; J. Carroll, black silk velvet; Misses C. M'Kenzie, midnight bue lace; F. Thomas, black velvet, with silver lame; A. Paget; Aitkenhead; D. Rodgerson, cyclamen taffeta; M. Halpin; .and C. Rodgers. Other Guests. Mrs J. Mooney wore a gown of black velvet, with a gracefully-shaped scarf of white satin, and carried a ■white feather fan; Mrs H. O’Reilly wore a gown of geranium red satin, with _ red velvet flowers at the corsage and in her hair. Also present Tvere the mayor and mayoress. tho latter wearing a gown of floral taffeta, ■with white furs; Mr aud Mrs J. J. Marlow, black velvet frock; Mr and Sirs R. A. Johnston, gold satin gown, with cape of deep red velvet; Dr and Mrs S. L. Geerin, frock of midnight blue, with shoulder spray of pink flowers; Dr and Mrs C. R. Burns, black frock, w’ith silver sequins; Mr and Mrs V. Jacobs, frock of maize satin; Mr and Mrs A. H. Mackenzie, frook of midnight blue, with latticed yoke; Mr and Mrs L. Cronin, Mr and Mrs J. B. Cartwright, and Mr and Mrs Leslie Woods. The Supper Room. A sumptuous banquet supper was served, under the supervision of the supper hostesses, all tho guests being accommodated in two sittings. The tables were very prettily decorated with Iceland) poppies and foliage in autumn tints, a further touch of colour being introduced by the folded table napkins in soft lettuce green. Tho dance was kept going merrily until early morning, the floor being in charge of a quartet of efficient M.C.s, Messrs J. Kilmartin G. D. O’Connell, G. F. Hall, and L. J. Jones.