N.P. ROWING CLUB BALL

Taranaki Daily News, 19 June 1931, Page 5

N.P. ROWING CLUB BALL

NOVEL: SCHEME OF DECORATIONS Novel .. decoration of. ; the Agricultural Hall, New Plymouth, was the feature of the New Plymouth Rowing Club’s ball -last night. The scheme was worked out in imitation of the saloon of a great liner, and the only detail missing to complete', the illusion that one was making a hurried trip across the Atlantic was the roll of the vessel—and no one miss-ed that. Portholds cunningly contrived all around the walls of the hall were hung with chifttz curtains. They were so real that ,one could surely; look through them to the lighted promenade deck without and see others strolling, whipped, by.' the wind-tossed spray. Pillars decorated with the' club’s colours of black-and white served to heighten the illusion,' and leadlight windows in the corners added to the palatial appearance. '. No longer were the roof beams of the building itself visible above, the dancers, for a special ceiling of paper had been arranged. Coloured streamers of, all shades relieved bareness, and' hidden floodlights of several different colours played from the walls on to the already gay shades overhead. In the centre hung a dome also brightly coloured with ribbons’of paper and a cluster of electric globes. The .club aspect of the decorations was not forgotten. Three rowing skiffs, a four and two pairs, were slung from the roof, garlanded with streamers, and oars out. The club badge, snow-capped Mount Egmont, with the letters of the club beneath it, and two crossed sculls, filled the wall at one end of the saloon. The dais, in which Boulton’s Dance Band played the music,, was also specially adorned, two lifebelts adding another neat touch.

There were 120 couples pre’sent, and it was -unfortunate that the cold, windy .night;kept away others who must have enjoyed, the ball immensely. ' A committee'of club members was responsible for the arrangements, and ‘ the masters of ceremonies were Messrs. J. Donaldson, J. Payne, T. Bellringer, H. Billing, N. Smith, C. : Burgess and. A. Burgess. . The'supper tables were interlaced with mauve and" yellow streamers, and. an excellent supper was provided; Those responsiblel were a committee of- ladies under the direction of Mesdames Frewin, Hughes and McKay. 1