CAPPING BALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27386, 11 May 1950, Page 8

CAPPING BALL

A Brilliant Scene “Capping Ball” held last night in the Town Hall, was the climax for undergraduates and graduates in a week of celebrations, concerts and arduous endeavour. The hall was crowded with dancers whilst many interested spectators looked on from the gallery. Four large murals—symbolic devices of the different faculties of the university—dominated the decorations, and boughs of greenery, streamers and balloons in the familiar blue and yellow gave added colour to the brilliant spectacle. The darker Edwardian taffetas, though still represented in many jewql-like colours, this year seemed to have given place to lighter, more diaphanous gowns of ninon, georgette and net in clear tones of yellow, blue, and pink in all shades from the palest to fuchsia. Attractive dresses in narrowly striped sheers were worn, in charmingly youthful styles, strapless or with the merest shoe-string shoulder straps. A deep midnight blue sheer patterned in small white dots looked delightful on a fair girl and a deep fuchsia dress of georgette, the skirt fashioned in shirred flounces and ankle length set off the neat ankles and twinkling gold shoes of a brunette. Two striking dresses of black were seen. One was of black taffeta, with inset yoke of white lace and lace trimmed bustle bow; the other had bold appliques of white at neck and hip. Here and there a “ beef eater ” appeared amongst the throng or a tired collector still wearing his scanty processional attire, made a brief sortie.

This year there was no formal reception of guests, the president of the Otago Students’ Association. Mr J. McCoy, and the lady vice-president, Miss C. Steven, greeting the guests while the dance was in progress. Amongst the official party were Dr R. S. Aitken and Mrs Aitken, Lady Sidey, Sir Bernard and Lady Dawson, Mr and Mrs L. M. Wright, Mr Carl V. Smith, Dr and Mrs F. G. Soper, Dr and Mrs J. P. Walsh, Dr and Mrs W. E. Adams. Dr and Mrs A. Douglas, Dr and Mrs H. Palmer, Mr and Mrs N. W. Nisbet, Mr and Mrs J. W. Hayward, Mr and Mrs R. H. Henderson, Mr and Mrs G. A. Russell, Mr and Mrs Hall Masters.

Members of the Student and Capping Executives present were Mr P. Macpherson, Mr K. Smith, Mr P. Mackay, Mr L. H. Wright, Mr P. R. Kelliher, Mr H. Lewin, Mr G. Ellis.

Among those present were Misses J. Newlands, P. Church. M. Dougall, A. Forster, V. Haggitt, G. Johnson, JC, Mutimer, Dr Brian Pierard, Dj, K. O’Connor, Dr T. O’Donnell.