ANNUAL TRAMWAY BALL

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1933, Page 9

ANNUAL TRAMWAY BALL

DECORATIONS A FEATURE. ATTENDANCE ABOUT GOO. The reputation for elaborate decorations earned by the organisers of the annual New Plymouth tramway ball was enhanced last night in the Agricultural Hall. This time a distinctly original design was used. Richly quilted in red and yellow billows of cunningly-twisted paper, the ceiling had the beauty of its intricate pattern emphasised by the coloured lights from four large and four small hanging lampshades alternating flown the centre of the hall, and from two other rows of shades, one along each side of the room. They were gorgeous affairs, these lampshades; their fnetworked and tasselled splendour might well have graced a place far more pretentious. But the feature of the ball was the one-man tram at the end. In this Boulton’s Orchestra had a merry ride throughout the evening. The vehicle had been so faithfully built and equipped, even to a head and rear light, that the effect was startling as one entered the hall at the other end. For sheer realism, however, the under-structure was outstanding. Wheels, axles and their appurtences, even to spiral springs, were there complete. One received a shock when ope saw this piece of heavy engineering in such strange surroundings—but the shock, wps greater still when, on approaching very close, one discovered that it was nothing more than a black painting skilfully executed on aluminiumed cardboard. \ ... . . .. „ . . On each side of the hall, midway 'along the wall, was a long panel representing a tram, and from this and pretty paper embrasures interspersed with clumps of foliage more coloured lights added to the soft radiance of the hall. The ball was under the patronage of the Mayor (Mr. E. R. C. Gilmour), and there were also present Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., and Miss Smith, Mr. P. E. Stainton and Mrs. Stainton, Mr. F. Amoore and Mrs. Amoore, Mr. G. J. Wyatt (tramways manager), Mr. W. H. Huggett (electrical engineer) and Mrs. Huggett. Miss Gilmour was presented with a bouquet at the commencement of the dance. There was an attendance of about 600. It was said by many of those present that the decorations surpassed anything attempted in the Agricultural Hall this year. Mr. Charles Harvey built and painted the orchestral tram, Mr. F. Hurdle was the skilful painter of the understructure and the signwriting, and Mr. P. J. Riordan installed the system of lights. Mr. J. Moles was responsible for the arrangement of a shrubbery in the entrance hall. The masters of ceremony were Messrs. E. Foot, R. Davy, L. Vercoe and R. Harris. A strong committee of men was presided over by Mr. Foot, with Mr. J. Royston as secretary. The supper tables had been decorated by Mrs. G. Steptoe with yellow jonquils, Iceland poppies, gum-tips and ferns, the tramway colours, red and yellow, being incorporated in the table centres. Special mention is due to the ladies’ committee, presided over by Mrs. T. Florence, for its work in supervising the supper. The proceeds of the -ball will be devoted to the tramway sick and accident fund. .