CHARITY BALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3994, 30 September 1930, Page 9

CHARITY BALL.

BRILLIANT SOCIAL FUNCTION.

HUGE CROV?D IN TOWN HALL

(Photogbapii in This Issue.)

Seldom before has Dunedin witnessed such a brilliant social function as the charity ball which was held in the Town Hall on Tuesday evening. The majesty of the. great hall, the beautiful dresses of the ladies, the crowded circle and gallery, and the tasteful and appropriate decorations combined to create a scene which few of those who witnessed it will ever forget, whilst the excellent organisation work which had preceded the function had its effect in making the gathering one of the most enjoyable ever held in this city. . Not for many years past has a function of a similar nature been organised on so elaborate a scale, nor has there been such clear-cut evidence of a deter mination to spare neither effort nor expense to ensure success; and the response received by the promoters must have been gratifying in the extreme. The proceeds of the function are to be devoted to the funds of the St. Vincent de Paul Society for the relief of distress, and it speaks highly of the generosity of the public of Dunedin that so worthy n object should have been supported to such an extent. The total attendance numbered approximately 2000, of whom over 650 took an activ part on the floor of the hall After the first bars from the orchestra, which was situated on a raised dais in the centre of the hall, the flom was thronged with dancers, and the spectacle of hundreds of people, young and old, in the sombre black .of convention:!] male attire, or the varied and beautiful hu i assumed by the fdpiinine, section, moving round the floor in close formation, was one of the most striking scenes witnessed in the Town Hall, or, for that matter, in Dunedin as a whole, for some time past.

The supper was laid in the Concert Chamber, which for the night was transformed into a veritable fairyland and a rich blaze of colour. The use of hundreds of hydrogen-filled balloons, attached ny lengths of thread to the rows of tables, and arranged so that all should float about six feet from the floor, gave to :he observer an impression of a sea of brilliant colour, the general effect, with the tables sparkling with silver and cut glass, beneath the floating canopy of many colours, being particularly striking. The supper itself, in accordance with the rest of the arrangements in connection with the ball, was an elaborate and varied selection of dainties provided for he delectation of the dancers.

A feature of the function was the presentation of 47 debutantes to his Lordship Dr Brodie, Bishop of Christchurch, who took the place of Bishop Whyte in the latter’s unavoidable absence. * As sociated with Bishop Brodie on the platform were Mesdames J. B. Callan and G. M. Baker, the matrons of honour; Monsignor Delaney, chaplain to the bishop; Mr A. G. Neill, who presented the debutantes; Dr Charles M. Greenslade, Dr C. Burns, Messrs H. K. Poppelwell, J. B. Callan, T. Casserlev, and J H. A. M’Keefrey. Beautifully gowned, and carrying dainty bouquets, the debutantes filed across the stage under the critical gaze of nearly 2000 pairs of eyes, and all bore their trying ordeal with honour. After their presentation to the bishop they took their places in the choir stalls at the rear of the stage, standing in three graceful ranks under the battery of thousands of eyes. Under the shadow of -the great organ, and flanked by tasteful examples of decorative work they presented a charmin” sight.

At the conclusion of the ceremony. Bishop Brodie stated that he had a diffi cult task to perform, as Bishop Whyte, who had left New Zealand for Australia on very important business, had called upon him in Christchurch and asked him to receive the debutantes at the ball, pointing out the great importance of such a function. The speaker did not think he could do justice to the occasion, as he was certain that their own bishop would have filled the position much more ably. There was a dual reason for the reception of the debutantes by a bishop, continued Bishop Brodie. In the first place the function was for the benefit of the St. Vincent 3e Paul Society, in which good men and women worked day and night for the relief of distress. The function also sewed to show that the church extended its favour to all legiti mate recreation, and was willing that enjoyment should he partaken of. He welcomed the debutantes in the name of their own bishop, and congratulated the committee on the completeness of the organisation of the function, and welcomed al) present, wishing them a happy and enjoyable eveniiig. ' The general arrangements in connection with the organisation of the ball were particularly complete, and the secretary (Mr J. H. A. M’Kcefry) and his colleagues are to be congratulated on the undoubted success of their efforts.