CATHOLIC BALL

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 72, Issue 6241, 12 June 1946, Page 7

CATHOLIC BALL

FUNCTION DE LUXE COLOURFUL THRONG The first debutantes’ ball to be held in Te Awamutu since pre-war days presented a highly colourful spectacle last evening when a record crowd of dancers thronged the Town Hall to celebrate the return to normal of the social life of the town and district in witnessing the presentation of a most attractive group of young local ladies. The ceremony commenced with the presentation ceremony, the white gowned debutantes making a graceful picture as one by one they covered the long avenue lined with interested spectators and finally were presented to Monsignor Cahill, V.G., on vhe stage at the end of the hall. Each to debutante then stepped back to the rear of the stage and the picture presented was one of grace and beauty unsurpassed. The Mayor, Mr G. Spinley, said that first of all he had to express on behalf of his daughter and himself sincere thanks to the committee for their greatly appreciated invitation to be present at that important function. It was one of the social events of the year that they looked forward to with pleasure and back on wnth many happy memories of a most pleasant time. Turning to Monsignor Cahill, the Mayor said that they extended to him a most cordial welcome to Te Awamutu, especially as he was to take the principal part in the night’s proceedings. They very much regretted that His Lordship, Bishop Liston, was unable to be present, more especially as the reason for that absence was illness. They sincerely hoped he would be soon restored to health and that next year he would be present, accompanied by Monsignor Cahill, to take the important part in the proceedings. The speaker said he felt sure that when the Bishop was looking through the results of the various districts that came under his jurisdiction, he must feel great pleasure at the progress in this district. Much of that was brought about by the tact and ability of the Rev. Father Colgan, Rev. Father Ryan and the band of enthusiastic helpers that he had gathered around. If that progress was to continue it was evident that the civic authorities would soon have to bestir themselves and have erected a building capable of accommodating the huge numbers that were present. The Rev. Father Colgan said that their first thought was with the Bishop, who was not able to be present to participate in the very fine ceremony. Their sincere thanks were due to Monsignor Cahill, VicarGeneral of the Diocese, who at very short notice undertook to drive down from Auckland in the somewhat unpleasant weather and receive the 28 debutantes. Father Colgan went on to thank the Mayor and his daughter for their kindness in being present. There was no cause which had as its aim the good of Te Awamutu that they did not take a deep interest in. Thanks were also extended to all who were present. There was something about Te Awamutu that won their love and pride, and while proud of the productivity of the district, they loved it because of the friendliness of the people irrespective of race or creed. Father Colgan then congratulated the debutantes and said he was proud of them. Their parents were proud of them and all are proud of them. The speaker went on to thank all who had worked so hard; no labour of love was too great for those willing workers. The Bishop, when he found that he would be unable to be present, sent a message of good wishes for the success of the function.

Monsignor Cahill thanked the Mayor and Father Colgan for their kind words. He regretted the Bishop’s absence for he felt sure that His Lordship would have been delighted at the simple dignity that surrounded the ceremony. He was not speaking in terms of flattery when he (the speaker) said that there had been no better display anywhere, not even in Auckland, than they had that night. It w’as fitting that the girls should make their debut to the clergy. They loved the church and because they had been instructed in the faith they were better able to live their lives. They made an impressive sight and their deportment, modesty and charm was such that called forth praise and he congratulated those responsible for their training. The debutantes did them credit. Monsignor Cahill congratulated them on their formal entry into society. There were two great factors—the church and the State—founded by God, and there need never be any conflict betw’een the two. When both w’ork together, society must necessarily prosper. The girls in the Catholic faith were taught to serve their country and in every good cause. Monsignor Cahill concluded by thanking the speakers for their kind words of w’elcome and assured all that he was very pleased to be present. After the official ceremony the debutantes filed on to the dance floor and to the strains of “Rendezvous” they danced the minuet. This was the personification of grace and poise, the girls excuting the formal steps without error. At its conclusion the debutantes’ w’altz followed and the young ladies resembled gay white butterflies as they danced.

The official party were Monsignor Cahill, Vicar-General of the Diocese, of Auckland; Rev. Father Colgan, Rev. Father Ryan, the Mayor (Mr G. Spinley), and Mrs H. J. Irwin, Mr J. M. Linehan, Mr C. B. Linehan, Mr and Mrs C. O. Edmonds, Mrs O’Brien, Mrs Monahan and Mr John Turney, Jnr. Among those present w r ere the Rev. Father Bleakley and the Rev. Father O’Kane, of Hamilton. Mr Cyril Linehan introduced the debutantes as they appeared. The music for the entree march and for the minuet was provided by Mesdames Linehan, John Sterritt and Mrs S. Barrett, and music for dancing was supplied by Mr Ted Schonau’s Orchestra. The Masters of Ceremonies were Messrs C. B. Linehan, C. McDonald, F. Langdon and J. Linehan.

No effort had been spared in the decorative art and the hall had undergone a transformation into a veritable bower of beauty—a background befitting the gay scene presented by the dancers in their gowns of every hue. The stage was arranged as a lounge for non-dancers and a background of pink made a perfect setting for the young “debs” at the conclusion of their presentation. Large and colourful roses, shading from red to w’hite, presented a relieving note to the scheme of stage decoration. Multi-coloured streamers curved from gay chandeliers and the dance floor was bordered

by flowers of every shade, arranged in wall vases surrounded with soft green ferns. In the supper room shades of gold, pink and mauve were predominant in the pendant floral effect. The tables were gay with Iceland poppies and comments were many upon the beauty thereof. In the debutantes’ supper room the colour scheme was carried out in pink tonings with graceful baskets and bowls of exquisite flowers.

The supper was one to be remembered in the history of balls in Te Awamutu and the huge crowd of guests were amply provided for despite the large number of sittings necessary.

A large committee had worked hard and unselfishly for many weeks prior to the ball and the success achieved must in some measure be a reward for all the work they put in. The many well deserved expressions of delight and pleasure were tributes to the committee.

When the strains of the last waltz heralded the conclusion of the ball, many were the expressions of regret that such an enjoyable function must end and it is to be hoped that now that the war-time years are over many more debutantes’ balls will be arranged and once more the young ladies of the district will be given the opportunity of “coming out” so auspiciously. THE DEBUTANTES The following debutantes were presented, the order being that in which they came forward:— Miss Eileen Picken, wearing white stiffened organdie with a frilled heart-shaped neckline, fitting bodice and full flared Victorian skirt. Miss Margaret Collyer, wearing a gown of white net with an embroidered skirt and net frill around the waist and also round the necklineMiss Patricia Magill, in a frock of white tulle over taffeta, with a bodice of embossed faconne finished with a boat neckline edged with tulle. Miss Betty Cavanagh, wearing a frock of sprigged brocaded silk crepe made with a very full skirt falling from a low* waistline. The bodice featured a sweetheart neckline finished with small loops and a row of tiny self covered buttons down the back. Small loops also finished the ruched sleeves. Miss Marie McGovern, who wore a gown of panne velvet and hailstone sheer fashioned in Queen Anne style and inset with silver lace. Miss Zella Pivac, wearing organdie over satin with scalloped frills at the hips and a gathered flounce at the hemline, trimmed with rows of lace. The bodice and sleeves were also covered with rows of narrow lace. Miss Molly Cavanagh, who wore organdie over taffeta, the semi-long bodice featuring tulle frillings across the front and buttoning down the back with a row of tiny covered buttons. Tulle frills also finished the square neckline and puff sleeves while circles of frilled tulle were arranged in three ufers around the skirt, i

Miss Helen Alexander in a gown of net over taffeta, with tight-fitting low-waisted bodice, full skirt and trimmed at the square neck-line, waist and hem with silver edged frills and finished with a wide net sash.

Miss Beverley Henderson, wearing white net and satin. The bodice was of satin with a sweetheart neck-line, gathered down the front and having short puffed sleeves of net and satinThe lace-edged net skirt was finished with a lace-edged net peplum formed from the waist-line and both skirt and peplum were studded with diamantes.

Miss Elva Deed wearing a dress of cream silk crepe brocade with slim fitting bodice finished in a heart-shaped neck-line, a fully gathered skirt and| ruched sleeves. Miss Joan Turney, wearing Colorado silk crepe, with a lace bodice which fell to a full skirt at the low waist-line. Miss Kathleen Andersson, who wore a frock of white rae-de-sheen, cut in the popular long-waisted style with ruched shoulders, front bodice and sleeves forming a scalloped neckline. The skirt was softly gathered, being scalloped at waist-line and hem.

Miss Mary Tootill in a gown of white stiffened organdie, with embroidered neck-line, white net yoke and sleeves trimmed with a frill of Valenciennes lace. A long-waisted bodice fell to a fully gathered skirt. Miss Mary Rumbles, wearing a full skirted gown,' the skirt being of stiffened net over taffeta and the long-waisted ruched bodice of cloque. Miss Marie Carey, wearing a frock of embossed cloque and sheer, with a fitting low-waisted bodice and a peplum of silver stitched cloque to break the line to the gathered sheer skirt.

Miss Margaret Malone, in a gown of cream georgette over taffeta, made with fitting bodice and full gathered skirt, and trimmed with Valenciennes lace. Miss Yolande Pryor, wearing heavy brocaded cloque with a slim fitting bodice buttoned at the back from the neck, and a long vandyke waist-line, the full skirt falling gracefully from each point. The vshaped neck-line was finished with tiny frills-

Miss Patricia Brown who wore cream taffeta, fashioned in Victorian style with a fitting bodice trimmed with sequins. Miss Ivy Pavich, who wore a frock cf ivory embossed crepe made with a low-waisted bodice and a sweetheart neck-line, shirred sleeves and fully gathered skirt. i Miss Edna Wouldes, wearing a frock featuring a semi-low waisted bodice of silk velvet trimming of georgette frills and sequins and with a square neck and cape sleeves. The full georgette skirt was finished with velvet bows.

Miss Betty Ellis, who wore white organdie over taffeta trimmed with white net and gardenias. The circular skirt was gathered to the bodice which had a sweetheart neckline.

Miss Gloria Picken, who wore white organdie over taffeta with gathered bodice and sweetheart neckline. The full circular skirt was trimmed with ruching and the waistline was girdled with a silver tasselled sash.

Miss Beryl Sklenars, wearing a frock of silver cloque, with a low waisted fitting bodice, large puff sleeves and full skirt, trimmed with self piping. Miss Mona Alexander, who wore net over taffeta, made with tightfitting ruched bodice and square neck-line, finished with lace trimmed frills. The full bouffant skirt was

caught up to reveal a lace trimmed underskirt.

Miss Mary Pavich, who was frocked in white embossed satin featuring a gathered bodice, sweetheart neck-line, shirred sleeves fully gathered skirt- *

Miss Ngaire Henderson, wearing a gown featuring a long waisted bodice of cream satin with tulle and lace trimimed sleeves. A square neck-line finished with similar tulle and lace, and a very full skirt of tulle with an underskirt of satin, was finished with rows of Valenciennes lace. Miss Marie Smith, who wore a frock of silk embossed cloque, with a fitting shirred bodice, shirred sleeves and full skirt falling into a bustle effect at the back. Miss Aiudrey Long, wearing a gown of cream sheer ninon d’entelle, the bodice being draped from a gauged v neck-line, short frilled sleeves and a frilling effect on the skirt. The debutantes all carried Victorian posies of pastel-tinted flowers.