Friendly Societies In Festive Mood

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 175, 27 July 1939, Page 11

Friendly Societies In Festive Mood

LARGE ATTENDANCE AT ANNUAL BALL With an attendance of between 700 and 800 dancers from all parts of the district, the first annual ball of tho Council of the Palmerston North Friendly Societies, held last evening in tho Entertainment Hall at the Showgrounds, was a marked success. In the beautiful setting of tho A. and P. ball decorations, enhanced with clumps of graceful fern and pampas grass, posters on the wall indicating the societies represented and. their secretaries, the atmosphere could not fail to be a friendly one. Shortly after 9 o’clock a feature of the ball was the grand parade of present and past officers in all their regalia, representative of the nine lodges in the city and district branches and headed by the genial president of tho council, Brother G. Shelley, and vice-president, Brother J. Prisk, which was most impressive. Before the “Grand Parade Waltz,” Brother Shelley addressed the gathering expressing his great pleasure in the occasion and his gratification in the attendance. Continuing, the speaker said there had been an erroneous idea that tho friendly societies were being forced out of existence. ‘ 1 Can you imagine,” Bro. Shelley said, “such a fine body of men and women going out of existence just because the Government has brought in social security to provide for the unfit who could not see th6ir way to joining up with a friendly society.” Before giving the signal to go “on with the dance,” the president made a plea for fresh recruits. Brother Prisk, as Master of Ceremonies in Chief, worked hard to ensure the pleasure of all present and had the assistance of about one dozen willing helpers. A programme of popular dances was entered into with great zest, one professional orchestra providing the greater number and another the supper dances. A tasty supper was expeditiously served, the tables being centred with autumn blooms and fern, the lady members of the council responsible being: Mrs. W. Kells, who wore floral silk; Mrs. H. Turner, in black satin with white relief; Mrs. C. Edwards, black romaine, black evening coat embroidered in white; Miss Rosanowski, in eau-de-nil net over taffeta trimmed with shot green ribbon, white furtrimmed evening coat. Other members of the council lending the friendly hand were:*Bros. V. Christensen, tho enthusiastic secretary, G. Northey (past president), F. Holgerson, W. Buchanan, M. Rosanowski, G. Hansen, D. Beattie, F. Ross, J. Manning, W. Gilmore, P. Cope and L. Smith.