Camaraderie At Mangonui R.S.A. Ball

Northern Advocate, 28 July 1939, Page 2

Camaraderie At Mangonui R.S.A. Ball

The Mangcnui R.S.A. has lost little, if any. of its strength with the passage of time, and it still remains one of the strongest and most vigorous organisations in the county.

01 the means adopted for bringing old comrades with their wives and families .and friends together, the annual ball has a place of first importance. Every ex-serviceman looks forward to this event and the great success of this year’s ball, held in the A. .and P. Hall. Kaitaia. on Tuesday

night, was in no way surprising. It was a great town and country gathering', and. though the weather was cold and showery 7, the most remote of the country districts wore represented. The arrangements for the ball were made with that thoroughness which has given prominence to the association in the past, and the results must have afforded the committee the greatest satisfaction.

Joys Am! Trials. The decorations were distinctive and neither expense nor labour were spared in carrying out a scheme, which was not only' very pleasing in its .aesthetic aspect, but had many features reminiscent of active service with its joys as well as its dangers, and hardships. The main colour scheme ‘was red. white and blue and it had been carried out with much pains and good taste.

The bush had ben searched for its richest treasures and the whole of the ceiling of the hall was covered with “creeper*" ferns decorated with large artificial poppies. Some of Bairnsfathev’s drawings, copied on an enlarged scale by Miss Muir, adorned the walls and there were other pictures which presented the more serious as well as the pleasant experiences of those on active service. False Faces In Cafe.

The supper room became a canteen and a cafe, and close by were two realistic looking kegs, labelled 50 gallons XXX, but they were merely the work of an artist.

The names of places in France and ether countries within the war zone were inscribed at intervals on the walls.

The crowd was not so large as to interfere with the pleasure of dancing. and never has a ball passed off more happily for all. The small element, which sometimes invades a dance hall in the mood for boisterousness and noisy excesses was completely absent, and a high tone prevailed to the end. The frocking of the ladies contributed in an unusual degree to the charm and brightness of the scene. The music by Owen Price's SwingBand was all that could be wished, and the supper was worthy of the highest praise.

An announcement that from 250 to 500 Jews wore to make an experimental settlement in British Guiana in the autumn was made in the House of Commons by the Colonial Secretary, Mr Malcolm MacDonald.