MASONIC BALL

Northern Advocate, 11 July 1925, Page 2

MASONIC BALL

A BRILLIANT FUNCTION.

The Masonic Hall took place in the Whangarei Town Hall last night and proved to be one of the most enjoyable and in every way successful functions which has been held since the war. There were approximately 130 couples of the invited guests present and the result was that the dancing floor was comfortably filled, but not overcrowded for any of the 19 dances.

The hall was most artistically decorated in a colour scheme of blue and white, and the floor was in first rate order, the preparation having been thorough. Mr H. Hannam was chiefly responsible as, mounted on a motor cycle, he had during the afternoon towed mats with human freight over the floor to polish it. The scheme of decorations was in the hands of Bro. J. Reed, ably assisted by a party of helpers, prominent amongst whom were Bros W. J. Orr, W.M., L. W. Bagley, D. J. Baker and W. E. Wood. The basis of the decorations over the dancing floor was a May-pole effect with pale blue and white ribbons from the large central light to the side walls. The stage was not used at all and in front of the curtain was a shield bearing the title of the entertaining Lodge:—"Star ol the North Lodge, No. 1647, E.C." Around the walls were drapings of Cambridge blue and white with Masonic emblems spaced on every pillar. The general beauty of the decorations was considerably augmented by the u«e of numerous Chinese lanterns and coloured balloons. In the supper room, which was furnished as a buffet with small tables, the* decorative scheme was .similar, with the addition of numerous palms in brass bowls nnd a carpet,ed floor. Underneath the dress circle was reserved for card-play-ers and it was also cosily furnished, while a large Union Jack lent a patriotic touch. Generally speaking the decorating of the hall reflected great crcdit upon those responsible for its conception and arrangement.

The sight when the opening grand msrch was in progress was a very pretty one, for in addition to the bright colouring of the ladies' dresses the gentlemen were not only in dress-suits, but, by special dispensation from Distinct Grand Lolge, they wore their Masonic regalia until 10 o'clock.

The grand march was led by Wor. Bro. W. J. Orr, W.M., and Mrs Orr, who wore mauve ninon with a pretty opaline overdress. They were followed' by Bf-o J. Reid. 1.P.M., and Mrs Reid, in sea green pailette and paisley ninon. The next in order with their respective partners, were W. Bro Holmes, W.M. of Lodge Parahaki, Past Masters of Star of the North Lodge, Past Masters of affiliated Lodges, and officers of' the host Lodge in 0.-dci of seniority. Tlie grand march was followed by a set of lancers, succeeded by the first of nine waltzes on the programme, It was significant, that tLert were only three jazzes, and that the good old fashioned D'Alberts, Schott ; sche and Barn Dance proved popular. Extras were contributed by Miss A. McKay and Mr A. Tavlor, while for the scheduled dances excellent music was played by Mr Dan Mr.fon's orchestra, comprising piano, violin, cornet, -"cello, xylophone, bells and drums, and many comments were made regarding its excellence. There was no doubt of its popularity.

The Master of Ceremonies was W. Bro. Col. J. N. MeCarroll, D.S.O.,with W. Bro H. F. Chandler and Bros D. A. Mr-Leod, A. W. Armstrong and N. E. Crimp as able assistants. Supper catering was in the experienced hands of Mr B. Harris and memben. of "The Ritz" staff, and the innovation of the buffet remaining open frrin 10 o'clock onwards proved a satisfactory means of overcoming the crowding to supj. er which sometimes mars- the perfect pleasures of' a largely attended ball in a hall in which the siTpper room is really not big enough. The waiting was done by three experienced members of "The Ritz" staff and' everything went smoothly and without fuss. The final waltz, "Regrets." was a slrcn.mer dance and it was followed by all joining in singing "Auld Lang Syne" shortly before 2 a.m. The onlv debu!:ante was Miss Flora McKay, who wore white crepe d'e chine relieved with silver, with a bouquet of pir.k cyclamen and roses.

Amongst the ladies present were the following:—Mrs. Sargent, black broeaded satin and georgette; Mrs. Wood, green shot silk taffeta; Mrs. H. C. Fraser, black sequin frock and white osprey; Mrs. Jounneaux, black velvet and silver; Mrs. G-. Taylor, navy blue net, heavily beaded in bronze and silver; Mrs. J. Doel. kingfisher blue inarocain with silk radium overdress; Mrs. Burns, pretty powder blue panne velvet prettilv draped at side and finished off with ?< dainty little brilliant star; Mrs. Haigh, green brocaded silk, pink trimmings; Mrs. Dyer, bronze taffeta and green; Mrs. McDonald, cream crepe de chine and georgette; Mrs. R. F. Anderson, black panne velvet and cerise; Mrs. I. L. Ranstead, green satin and silver; Mrs. Bennett, tablier frock in old gold crepe de chine and brocade, gold bead trimmings; Mrs. T. MeCarroll, black satin grenadine with sequined and beaded overdress, relieved with jade green; Mrs. Laurie, flame panne velvet trimmed with brilliants; Mrs. McArthur, blue brocaded marocain; Mrs. Dickson, white satin, fur and silver trimmings; Mrs. Morrison, bridal frock of white charmeuse draped on one side with dainty feather flowers; Mrs. Clarke, black velvet and silver; Mrs. McLean, black georgette, embroidered in jet beads; Mrs. Moore, bridal dress of soft white eharmeuse draped at one side with soft white feather flowers; Mrs. Chandler, silver grey silk and radium lace; Mrs. Bethell, fucshia georgette with orchid and silver rose; Mrs. Crane, toast-coloured marocain; Mrs. F. Brown, navy and gold charmeuse; Mrs. K. Kelly, apricot silk, marocain roses; Mrs. G. McKay, jade paime velvet, draped frock; Mrs. GerranU pale blue erepe de chine, silver trimming and shoos; Mrs. Geissler, Vdack silk and georgette, trimmed with gold, aul

i red .and medh/llion with evening cloak | fawn jacquard veliaur; Mrs. Keene, | beaded black panne velvet; Mrs. M' - | Donald, black frock; Mrs. Archibald, j black georgette; Mrs. Haden, blue silk I net, handkerchief pointed; Mrs. Roscoe, i gold tissue- trimmed with godets o* metal' I'acc; Mrs.. McKay, black, with black and white godets; Mrs. Paul, black taffeta; Mrs. D. J. Baker, almond green brocaded crepe de chine panels, edged marabout; Mrs. James, jade marocaih and lace; Mrs. Weston, black and silver lace; Mrs. Crosby, frock of' Chenille embossed georgette amethyst and pink scarf to match; Mrs. Horue, frock of Tabac marocain with Mah Jong trimmings, marabout wrap; Mrs. Eeyburn, black beaded georgette; Sister pale gold crepe de chine and lavender sprays and streamers; Nurse Bowntrce, black silk panne velvet relieved with gold tissue, gold shoes; Nurse Dickie, silk velvet relieved with rose-; Nurse Crowe, fucshincoloured charmeuse; Miss Munro, gold satin, lace" trimmings; Miss Munro, black chiffon velvet, fur trimmings; Miss Sargent, turquoise blue brocaded crepc dc chine and silver; Miss M. Eeyburn, silver and gold silk marocain ; with an- overdress of gold lace; Miss F. Taylor, black velvet, beaded in 'wine; Miss M. MeLeod, kingfisher blue marocain; Miss Bawden, white velvet and silver Lace; Miss Clotworthy, gold satin marocain; Miss D. McMillan, shell 1 pink. brocaded crepe de chine, georgette trimmings; Miss I Cooke, black beaded satin; Miss Byles, black velvet, with red flowers and I ribbon trimming; Miss Flemming, j satin de Lunde and radium lace; Miss |V. Clark-Walker, rose taffetas; Miss i G. Tims, flame coloured georgette with marabout trimmings; Miss A. McLean,

silver pi nit brocade, feather trimming; Miss. Hames, vieux rose satin; Miss G. M'atheson, rainbow crepe de chine; Miss N. Crane, black and green marocain; Miss; G. Brown, mauve crepe de chine, finished with posies and streamer?; Miss: Warrington, creme chiffon, velvet embroidered with roses; Miss I. McKay,. cyclamen panne velvet, black fur trimmings; Miss Elliott, flesh panne velvet, fancy buckle at side, trimmed with tiny coloured roses; Miss I Wilkinson, silver tissue; Miss McPhee, sunset georgette; beaded in silver and mauve; Miss A. McKay, blush pinkgeorgette with silver tissue and crystal" face overdress; Miss I. McDonald, black lace, silver triimni'tfgs; Miss LeRuoz, silver charmeuse satin and geoi'* gette, silver flowers and spray; Miss G. McMillan, mauve satin with goid bead trimmings; Miss- F. Maurer, apricot georgette, trimmed with silver beads; Miss D. Cullen, black chiffon velvet and lace; MS'ss- K. McKay, blUck with black lace owrdress relieved with silver; Miss- D, Williams, salnicii and silver brocade'; Miss M. FinTayson, midnight blue georgette, beaded in crystal; Miss M. Curtis, lemon satin: Miss E. Cleary, flame and silver shot taffeta; Mrs. Low, Mrs. James, Mrs. K. A. Mrs-. J. J. Eraser, Mrs: Taylor, Mrs-.. Crawford, Mrs-. A. Jack, Mrs. P. Connell, Mrs. A. H. Crane, Mrs. T. Wright, Mrs. Armstrong, Mrs. Mlllington, Mrs. Peat, Miss Peat, Miss Howe, MHss NT. Taylor, Mi ; ss O'Connor, Miss Chalkley, Miss Campbell, Miss McCardle, Miss Wrifjfit and Miss Mack-ie.