CHARITY BALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23053, 2 June 1938, Page 3

CHARITY BALL

CATHOLIC FUNCTION FIFTY-FOUR DEBUTANTES PRESENTATION TO BISHOP The annual Catholic Charity Ball, which was held in the Town Hall last night, when 54 deputantes were presented to Bishop Liston, was an unqualified success, and a triumph of careful and efficient organisation. An event of outstanding interest, it was attended by many hundreds of spectators, who occupied both galleries, the lower one of which was completely tilled, while the hall below was thronged with dancers. The presentation of the debutantes was an impressive scene, conveying pageantry and dignity, the girls in their white frocks of many styles and periods presenting a most attractive picture. Walking slowly down a floodlit path in the hall to the music of an orchestra augmented by the Town Hall organ, they were presented to Bishop Liston, and after making their curtsey took their places on the steps at the rear of the stage until the conclusion of the ceremony. Then followed tlie debutantes' dance, each girl being received by her escort at the foot of the stage. It was a wholly delightful scene from start to finish, and a charming and fitting introduction into the realm of social life for the young girls. Lavish Decorations The decorations in the Town Hall were both lavish and artistic, green foliage being the predominant note, with orange and yellow as. a colourful background. The stage was transformed into a terraced garden scene, the steps being flanked with masses of green foliage and yellow chrysanthemums through which hidden lights shed a diffused glow. A drop scene at the back further carried out the garden effect, while the front of the stage and the steps up which the debutantes walked were flanked with small flowering pot plants. Long ropes of Iycopodium were suspended from the gallery to the central electroliers, each being ornamented with many fairy lights whose radiance added to the brilliance of the scene. The floor was arranged in cubicle lounges, each pannelled in orange and yellow mounts, while overhead were hanging baskets of fern spilling their feathery foliage in graceful tendrils. Another triumph of decorative art was to be found in the supper room, in which scarlet poinsettias and palm leaves were predominant. The poinsettias were arranged on the window sills and also flanked the pillars below swathed palm leaves, while Iceland poppies in shades of orange and yellow adorned the tables. At the official table were beautiful candelabra with lighted golden candles to add to the colourful effect. The Official Party A fanfart- of trumpets followed by organ music heralded the arrival of the official party, which comprised: Bishop Liston, Mrs. M. Pilling, who was wearing a frock of vintage-coloured lace with a fur wrap; Mrs. W. Bremuer, in black r 'hantill,v lace with a crimson corsage oray; Monsignori Call ill, Ormond and

Holbrook, Captain C. C. Plunket, Mr. C. C. Cairns. Mr. G. H. Briscoe, Mr. G. J. Browne, Mr. P. J. Hackett, Mr. R. 0. Johnson, Mr. T. J. Sheahan, Mr. N, C. Sneddon, Mr. W. C. Kemble and Mr. J. I). Foote. A brief speech to the debutantes was made by Bishop Liston at the conclusion of the presentation ceremony. Special guests of the evening wen the Mayor and Mayoress, Sir Ernes! and Lady Davis, the latter wearing : graceful frock of black sheer satin em broidered with crystal beads, and ;i white fur wrap. Debutantes' Frocks The debutantes presented were:— Miss Barbara Lincoln, who wore a frock of white embossed taffetas cut 011 princess lines with a mouffant skirt sweeping the floor at the back and topknot of orchids and rose-coloured carnations on her hair; Miss Billie Ganley, ivory Persian satin heavily embroidered with seed pearls in a rose design and a Juliet cap; Miss Margaret Shipley, white lace over satin, fitting tightly to the knees, from which it was inlet with tulle godets; Miss Margaret Maguire, frock of white ripple chiffon made with shirred bodice and a six-gored skirt and blue delphiniums in her hair; Miss Wynne Berghan, ivory taffetas frock with a circular skirt trimmed down the back with a row of small buttons; Mis* Gwen Howe, cellulose chiffon with a softly pleated Grecian bodice, linked bands of pailettes forming a bolero effect and tiny shirred jacket; Miss Mary Walsh, white stiffened tulle with tucked bodice, full skirt bordered with white panne velvet over white taffetas, and diamente Juliet cap; Misa Jov Reardon, sheer white ninon over satin with a gathered bodice, square neck appliqued with water lilies and silver leaves, and coronet of silver leaves; Miss Phyllis Linehum, frock of ivorv satin with cowl sleeves and neckline, a girdle of silver leaves at the waist and hair spray of scarlet cyclamens; Miss (.'destine Carroll, white embroidei'ed moire taffetas with centre shirring, a turned down collar forming revers, and pearl and diamente Juliet cap; Miss Mary Brady, white taffetas embossed satin cut on princess lines with shirred sleeves and a square neckline; Miss Kathleen McGuinn, white silk net over Pandora satin embroidered with diamante; Miss Ida Donnelly, frock of ivory moire taffetau made on Juliet lines with a heart-

shaped neckline and full flared skirt; Miss Joyce Ganlc.v, filmy velvet spotted silk net cut in Victorian style with a high bodice effect; Miss Eileen Maxted, white taffetas frock with cape sleeves and white flowers ornamenting the dress and the sash. Many Period Styles AI iss Nola Wolfe was in mother of pearl embossed satin with a plaited neckline and full skirt; -Miss Peggy Dromgool, ivory moire taffetas with a full skirt, and bodice trimmed with a lacing and tassels of silver; Miss Joan Fab.v, picture frock in tulle with box pleatings on the shoulders filled in with flowers and silver ribbons, and pink and blue flowers in her hair; Miss Molly Gill ? ivory taffetas poult with a pointed bodice and shirred, full skirt; Miss Eileen Mulvihill, picture frock of white stiffened net and cut-out lace, this forming a redingote over ivory taffetas; Miss Kathleen McCabe, white French georgette with Grecian bodice folded and crossed, and sleeves softly flared; Miss Laurel Henderson, white georgette frock fashioned on Grecian lines with sunray pleated skirt and a wide belt embroidered in gold; Miss Patricia Hurley, picture frock of magnolia satinstriped organza trimmed with pearls; Miss Cecilia Whitty,' white georgette fashioned on Grecian lines, with a diamante-studded belt and collar; Miss Alary Whitty, \vliite satin-figured georgette cut on Victorian lines; Miss Alice O'Reilly, f i;oek of self-figured white taffetas made on princess lines; Miss Bettie Lee, frock of ivory Chant-illy lace with a spreading petalled skirt appliqued to a georgette hem; Miss Joan Rawle, cream pebble taffetas with a pouched bodice and neckline edged with gardenias tinted with silver; Miss Veronica Xola (Morrinsville), frock of cloth of beaten silver ojnbossed in a rose design with fichu forming a crossover in the back; Miss Nora Byrnes, frock of ivory stiffened satin cloque with a draped bodice crossed in front and caught with a diamante clip; Miss Florence Wigmore, white chenille velvet cut on Grecian lines, and orchid in her hair; M iss Julie Walsh, frock of cream taffetas p'hult with a bouffant skirt and a bodice gathered in front to form a heart-shaped neckline; Miss Mary Ward, oyster moire taffeta frock with a niched skirt and corsage spray of cyclamens; Miss Violet Ward, ivory taffetas softly draped in front to feature the new corseted waistline anrl full skirt ornamented with golden bows on each fold. Dainty Picture Frocks Miss Phyllis Glover wore a picture frock of white silk ribbon-trimmed tulle over taffetas, and on her head were red and white carnations; Miss A. Strongman, ivory taffetas frock with a Tudor neckline and large puff sleeves; Miss Gwen White, white moire taffetas tailing into a wide flare to form a short train, and cluster of cyclamens in her hair; Miss Phyllis McCarthy, frock of filmy Chantilly lace, high* waisted and full-skirted, with ruchings of silk net over a slip of parchment satin and a scarlet poinsettia in her hair; Miss Joan Lynch, picture frock of white georgette over satin with a bouffant skirt and slightly shirred bodice; Miss Frances Hiscocks. picture frock of ivory lace over satin beaute, the neckline and skirt finished with' silver rosebuds, and a silver spray in her hair; Miss Eunice Spencer, Early Victorian model of pearl corded taffetas with white net and silver needlerun lace, and a crescent spray on her head; Miss Joan Trevarthen, frock of white colt-skin taffetas and Richelieu lace, the Juliet neck and sleeves being of laco and the skirt of taffetas; Miss Marie Henwood, picture frock of white stiffened net over taffetas with a full skirt banded with white satin; Miss Mary O'Callaghan, picture frock of white Chantilly lace over taffetas, finished with taffetas bows and sprays of forget-me-nots; Miss Veronica Wathew, Vic-

torian frock of ivory taffetas with a heart-shaped beaded neckline, and bouffant skirt appliqued with silver-beaded flowers. Miss Josie Gilrov, ivory embossed chiffon with a draped Grecian bodice and wide circular skirt; Miss Patricia Clarke, ivory silk taffetas, the full skirt finished with silver stitching, and tiny white roses adorning the draped neckline; • jMiss llona Tocker, silver flecked marconi crepe, the bodice draped into a high waistline/- and the neck finished with a silver rolled collar; Miss Betty Welch magnolia moire taffetas made 011 princess lines with a full skirt and puff sleeves; Miss Joan Rother.v (Otorohanga), white moire taffetas, the hem of the skirt embroidered with silver stitching; Miss Eileen Corban, angelskin lace over satin beaute cut on Grecian lines with a tulle Medici collar finished with a spray of tulle and satin orchids; Miss Patricia Flannagan, white taffetas with a slightly trained skirt; M iss Rita Corbett, white sheer .satin cut in Empire stvle with short rufled sleeves; Miss Nancy Mclntyro, white organdie with a Medici collar and pull' sleeves. Among the Guests Among those present were:—Mrs. J. B. Callan, who wore a frock of navy and silver brocade; Mrs. J. A. Lee, black chiffon; Mrs. N_. Main, black panne velvet; Mrs. C. C. .Boale, black Chantilly lace; Mrs. K. Garland, gentian blue crepe; Mrs. E. Bell, black ring velvet; Mrs. Hugh Wright, black floral satin; Mrs. K. Keating, amethyst velvet; Mrs. C. Stichbury, parma violet velvet; Mrs. F. G. Willis, mauve figured satin; Mrs. J. Anthony Price, beige lace; Mrs. D. P. O'Leary, black lace; Mrs. N. Sneddon, black georgette embroidered with jot heads; Mrs. Smithwick, midnight blue crepe de soie; Mrs. E. Miller, violet lace; Mrs. D. P. Reardon, royal blue lace; Mrs. L. Handing, black figured crepe romaine; Mrs. J. C. Carroll, Romney green pebble crepe; Mrs. C. C. Cairns... black Chantilly lace; Mrs. E. J. McGinn, black crepe suede; Mrs. W. Harper, Venetian red crepe de soie; Mrs. Moloney, black lace and georgette; Mrs. R. C. Johnstone, geranium red taffetas; Mrs. Santo, silver satin; Mrs. M. Chittenden, floral georgette; Mrs. Harold Hancock, royal blue georgette; Mrs. J. B. Cox, mauve cloque; Mrs. E. Williams, black floral satin; Mrs. C. J. Little, lilac lace; Mrs. S. L. Beddog, rose and silver lame; Mrs. Ralph England, palm green ninon applique; Mrs.

E. R. Kelly, black lace; Mrs. Hugh Alder, eau de nil souple satin; Mrs. R. Cotterall, cherry georgette; Mrs. J. Mollov, black and white floral taffetas; Mrs. J. Mel). Coleman, black sequinned taffetas; Mrs. R. N. Fulton, sage green satin; Mrs. G. Heigh ton, ecru lace; Mrs. M. M. Cooper, prune-coloured cloque; Mrs. T. W. Lighton, black floral satin; Mrs. E. M. Stewart, black lace; Mrs. J. Train, black panne velvet; Mrs. S. A. Williams, clover taffetas; Mrs. J. Somervell, black georgette and lace; Mrs. L. P. Straka, black ring velvet; Mrs. R. V. Cooke, oyster lace; Mrs. Thornton Barber, coral pink lace; Mrs. R. Wright, black satin beaute; Airs. 0. Owen, black lace; j Mrs. R. A. Cornish, rose and grey pat- j terned organza; Mrs. G. McCarthy, j cameo pink-satin; Mrs. I. Howarth, \ white lace; Mrs. J. P. Kalaugher, ; clover satin and lace; Mrs. Norman j McLeod, sapphire blue taffetas; Mrs. j J. P. McCarthy, black lace; Mrs. J Browne Morris, cherry ring velvet; Mrs. Clifton Clarke, petunia georgette; Mrs. F. Burns, bottle green taffetas; Mrs. John Caughley, opal pink satin; Mrs. P. F. O'Connor (Palmerston North), black lace; Mrs. T. J. Nevin, peacock blue ponyskin taffetas; Mrs. F. Scully, black lace. Many Blue Frocks Mrs. F. Stanawav was in pervenche blue floral taffetas; Mrs. G. Dear, white ripple ninon; Mrs. M. A. Siniich, prune-coloured crepe eraquelle; j Mrs. J. Grayden, honeygold shimmer j satin; Mrs. S. Sumich, violet panne . velvet; Mrs. J. D. Foote, white taffetas; Mrs. H. Cotterall, black sequinned satin; Mrs. C. C. Floyd, orchid cloque; Mrs. A. Blair, white satin; Mrs. T. J. Wathew. black panne velvet; Mrs. C. R. St. Clair Woollams, black net and lace; Mrs. W. Dickenson, Saracen red georgette; Mrs. L. Conkley, bottle green panne velvet; Mrs. J. W. Bailey, periwinkle blue floral chiffon; Mrs. F. A. Bown. gold lame; Mrs. M. Lvsaght, black panne velvet. Black Lace Popular Miss M. Ormond wore ficelle lace; Miss V. A. Walsh, Lido blue lace; M iss L. Koefoed, black georgette; Miss C. A. Bryant, ivory floral georgette; Miss A. Fitzpatriek, black appliqued net; Miss V. Fitzpatrick, navy floral georgette; Miss P. Miller, gold lame; Miss P. Patterson, black ring velvet; Miss V. Nolan, honeygold georgette and taffetas; Miss P. Flynn, rust-coloured pebble crepe; Miss N. Flvnn, sea green taffetas; Miss June Garland, mist blue georgette; Miss M. Cairns, primrose eraquelle; Miss N. Tove, floral taffetas; Miss N. Brady, coral pink moire; Miss Cavanagh, Venetian red georgette; Miss Joan Beddoe, fuchsia taffetas; Miss Mary Wathew, ivory and flame floral taffetas; Miss Kathleen Coleman, gold brocaded satin; Miss Roma Connor, | black souple satin; Miss Lee Heaton, white floral chiffon; Miss Belle Heaton, black georgette; Miss M. Selby, nattier blue georgette; Miss Grace Whitty, black taffetas; Miss V. Vakalich, black net; Miss Florence Garland, black and gold satin; Miss M. Fov, bottle green taffetas; Miss J. Steele, marigold taffetas; Miss L. Walker, bois de rose cloque; Miss M. McCarthy, Wedgwood blue- taffetas; Miss E. McCarthy, wine satin; Miss Lulu Drvsdale, bicester blue moire taffetas; Miss Janet Drvsdale, powder bide floral ninon; Miss Marie Drvsdale, pervenche blue cloque; Miss Agnes Barry, willow green lace; Miss N. lbbertson, black lace and velvet; Miss Winifred Cooke, oyster grey georgette; Miss E. Cooke, rose pink satin; Miss M., Neville, ruby satin; Miss F. Ross, daffodil ripple ninon; Miss D. Carr, i cherry taffetas; Miss June Dyer.

cyclamen taffetas; Miss Gaby Heighten, apple green s,equinned georgette; Miss Anice Rasnie, coral pink angel,skin lace; Miss Nan O'Sullivan, old gold taffetas; Miss Molly Lynch, nut brown taffetas; Miss Joy Hancock, peach embossed velvet. The supper committee comprised representatives of city and suburban parishes and the Council of _ the Catholic Women's League and the St Vincent de Paul Society and \vas convened by Mrs.. M. Pilling, Miss V. A. Walsh and Miss M. Ormond. The committee for the floral decorations of the supper room was convened by Mrs. E. Bell and Mrs. K. Garland.