A FLORAL FETE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22543, 7 October 1936, Page 4

A FLORAL FETE

DELEGATES ENTERTAINED CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE BRILLIANT WELLINGTON BALL [BY TfcLEGRApri— OWN CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON, Tuesday A "Floral Ball" would he the best description of the ball given by the Wellington Chamber of Commerce at the Town Hall this evening, in honour of tlio delegates to the Congress of the Kmpiro Chambers of Commerce. It was tlio last of the evening functions that have held Wellington in their sway for tho past week and was certainly a fitting finale to a week of gaieties such as have not been experienced in this city for many years. Between 600 and 700 delegates, members of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce and other well-known persons were present, and, with tho beautiful dresses worn by tho women present, it was one of the most fashionably-frockcd gatherings held in Wellington for many years. Features of Decorations Flowers formed the general schemo of decoration and tho entrance foyer was a sight to behold. The guests passed first of all under a latticed archway of red and pink roses and then under one of purple and cyclamentintcd wisteria. On each sido wero tubs of giant hollyhocks in vivid reds, pinks and the brightest of yellows, and the balustrade of the red-carpeted stairway was entwined with huge red and bricktoned roses and bamboo leaves. Tho whole was illuminated by coloured lights. Within the hall the front of the gallery was hung with purple wisteria and every few feet was an inverted glass standard of red, white and blue, which was illuminated from within. Running along the sides of the hall were latticed arches which turned tho areas under tho gallery into attractive lounges. These arches wero entwined with roses of every hue, with here and there a touch of green. Sir Heaton Rhodes' Gift Tho sections beneath the gallery wero fitted up as lounges and wero furnished with very modern settees and easy chairs, and with many little occasional tables on which stood vases of longstemmed narcissi, all of which had been sent by Sir Heaton Rhodes from the famous garden of his home at Tai Tapu, near Christchurch. Hundreds of daffodils, all sent by Sir Heaton. were used in various parts of the hall and in addition to all these were masses of delicate azaleas. Along the back ran a. claret buffet, a very popular spot between dances. Perhaps tho most colourful and exotic section of the entire hall was tho stage, the front of which was covered with greenery, clusters of giant Oriental poppies being placed at each side. In tho centre of the stage stood a pergola of yellow and red roses and greenery, while on the terraced steps wore tubs of enormous hollyhocks. As a background to all this was an Old English manor houso with quaint latticed windows.

Two orchestras played the music for dancing and during the evening Miss Estelle Beere's ballot was applauded for its "Waltz Rhythm" presentation. Buffet Supper Served

A feature of the ball was the buffet supper, which was served at long flower-bedecked tables in the concert chamber. This place also held its quota of flowers and was decorated with many flags. The danco cominitteo comprised:— Mr. R. H. Nimmo (convener), Mr. A. R. Hislop, Mr. F. W. Miller, Mr. C. Mack, Mr. E. M. Bardsley, Mrs. C. J. B. Norwood, who was'-wearing Royal blue satin with diamento trimmings; Mrs. W. H. Gledhill, in black lace over silver, with shoulder spray of red roses; Mrs. A. G. Barnett, whoso striking frock of twilight-blue corded silk had wide, deeplv-quilted rovers; Mrs. E. M. Bardsley, in black georgette and lace. Shoulder Posies Presented Among the many hundreds of people present wero the Rt. Hon. Viscount Elibank, president of the Federation of Associated Chambers of Commerce, and Viscountess Elibank* Sir Thomas Wilford, chairman of the Council of Federated Chambers of Commerce, and Lady Wilford; Mr. Norton Francis, president of tho Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand, and Mrs. Francis; Mr. C. J. B. Norwood, president of tlio Wellington Chamber of Commerce, and Mrs. Norwood. A charming gesture on the part of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce and one that added yet another floral touch to tho proceedings, was the presentation of a shoulder posy to each of tho visiting ladies and a boutoniere to the delegates.

A MORNING TEA QUESTS AT ART GALLERY [by telegraph—own correspondent] WELLINGTON, Tuesday There was not a vacant table in the congenially bright tearoom at the National Art Gallery to-day, when the Wellington Victoria League were morning tea hostesses to the ladies accompanying the delegates to tho Empire Chambers of Commerce Congress. The guests were received in the lobby by Lady Buckletou (president), and Mrs. J. A. Doctor (vice-president), and other members of tho committee escorted them on a brief tour of the galleries on their way to the tearoom. With tho president and vice-president at the official table wero Viscountess Elibank and Lady Atkey. Lady J3uckleton, who welcomed tho visitors, said that for many years past tho league had been one of tho social links of tho Empiro and the Wellington branch wero particularly happy in welcoming representatives of the homt* league, which was such a wonderful friend to all its overseas members who went to England. Speaking of tho special matters of interest that New Zealand had to show the visitors, Lady Buckletou said she hoped they would see some of tho great butter factories, and mentioned that our ships wero being laden with exports of butter, eheeso and moat for tho Homeland. She also remarked upon tho entertainment New Zealand had to offer in many branches of sport, especially fishing. A suggestion that the guests should visit tho Mauri House during tho morning was made by Lady Buckloton, for there they would find some of tho finest examples of native art. Lady Elibank spoke a few words of appreciation of the beauty of tho gallery. She was followed by Lady Atkey. who paid an appreciable tribute to the good lOnglish spoken in New Zealand, which had struck her more than anything else. "You have taught us a lesson," sho said. Another thing that struck Lady Atkey in New Zealand was the beautiful war memorials found all over tho country. The Art Gallery itself was one of tho most beautiful of all, and one which the soldiers might feel was a fitting tribute for their service to their country.