WINCHESTER

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18616, 11 July 1930, Page 4

WINCHESTER

BACHELORS’ BALL. The Victoria Hall, Winchester, presented an animated and picturesque scene on Tuesday evening on the occasion of the annual spinsters and bachelors’ annual ball. The ballroom was hung with red and gold streamers arranged in canopy effect, and myriads of tiny fluffs of wool suspended in front of the stage further enhanced the beauty of the room, the bareness of the walls being hidden behind masses of greenery. The joint secretaries, Miss R. South and Mr Ron South, with the help of an energetic committee, were indefatigable in their efforts to make the function a success. The music was supplied by a Timaru orchestra. The lucky spot waltz was won by Miss M. Spurdon and Mr W. Seeler, and Miss Fitzgerald won the prize for the waltzing competition. Mr W. Seeler carried out the duties of M.C. very efficiently. The grand march was led by the joint secretaries (Miss South and Mr Ron South). Among those resent were—Mesdames F. South, E. Toomey, W. Boston, S. Skelton, W. E. Knight, F. A. Deßenzy, W. R. Pearce, W. J. Moore, G. South, J. Alexander, J. Priddle, T. H. Langford, ‘B. Patrick, L. Duckmantom (Scargill), F. Henderson, P. Surridge, E. Bruce, F. Spurdon, A. Gudsell; Misses South (3), A. Cunnard, Blissett (2), M. Sinclair, Townley (3), Duke, Cunningham (3), O. Patrick, M. McKinnon, B. Henderson, M. Opie, Alexander (2), Meredith (2), English (Invercargill), Palmer, O. Johnston, K. O’Neill, Louden, P. Spillane, M. Washington, E. Smith, F. and H. Hewson, J. Aker, F. Huston, L. Mason, J. Orr, A. Haywood, R. lewis, Hall (2), W. Hawkine, A. Storey, M. Watson, Fitzgerald, Austin, M. Spurdon, F. Birch, R. Davidson; Messrs South (4), R. Miller, W. R. Grant, W. Seeler, F. Stapleton, D. Scammell, I. Bolitho, E. Dean, J. Beeby, J. Stewart, Patrick (5), Palmer (2), O’Neill (2), Louden (2), C. Henderson, F. Mackie, P. Russell, Len Wood, W. E. Knight, J. Cripps, Meredith, Johnston, Leary, Cornelius, A. Scott, C. Thomas, J. Priddle. Leathern, G. Norton, H. Gray, Columb (2), Spillane, Galbraith, Thompson, R. Townley, B. Hewson, J. Maitland, N. Robertson, L. Dobson, W. Elliott, D. Aker, L. Mason, R. O’Neill, J. Alexander, J. Stevenson, A. Smith, F. Jackson, L. Shaw, J. M. Stickings, and W. J. Moore. MINIATURE RIFLES. Twenty-four members of the Winchester Men’s Miniature Rifle Club fired on Monday evening for Mr W. H. McMillan’s trophy. After three 6hoot-offs E. R. O’Neill proved the winner with 78 off the rifle. The following were the scores: —C. Higinbottom (1) 79, 80; E. R. O’Neill (1) 79, 80; A. B. Scott (1) 79, 80; D. Louden (2) 78, 80; A. McFarlane (3) 77, 80; W. O’Neill (6) 74, 80; W. R. Pearce (1) 78, 79; A. H. Opie (1) 77, 78; W. L. Gudsell (1) 76, 77; W. Jackson (3), 76, 79; H. J. Hopkins (1) 76, 77; A. W. Reilly (2) 76, 78; L. Mason (1) 76, 77; Jno. Cripps (3) 74, 77; W. Hawke (4) 75; R. Smith (2) 73, 75; L. Manson (4), 74. 78; W. Waple (2) 75, 77; A. Cripps (1) 75, 76; A. Dudman (3) 75, 78: C. Louden (8) 70, 78; James Cripps (3) 74, 77. The following will represent the Winchester Miniature Rifle Club against Gapes Valley at Winchester on Saturday night. Cripps (3), W. Jackson, F. Dudman, W. R. Pearce, W. L. Gudsell, A. H. Opie, W. Waple, A. W. Reilly and D. Louden.

THE QUEEN HOLDS COURT. Escorted to Her Throne by the Prince. (Prom Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, May 28.

To the great disappointment of all the debutantes, the King’s attack of rheumatism prevented his attendance at the Third Court at Buckingham Palace, and, as was the case last year, the Queen presided alone. When the Royal procession emerged from the Blue drawing-room, it was seen that the Prince of Wales, who wore the uniform of Colonel of the Welsh Guards, was escorting Her Majesty. The Queen’s hand rested lightly on the arm of her eldest son as she led the way through the full range of the State Apartments into the beautifn’T"decorated ballroom, in which her solitary throne was erected on the dais beneath the golden canopy. The Queen was also supported by the Duke of Gloucester in the uniform of the 10th Hussars, and Prince George, who wore naval uniform, while the other members of the Royal circle followed in procession. On reaching the ballroom, the Queen was formally conducted to the dais by the Lord Chamberlain and officials of his department, who walked backwards before her. She took her stand before her throne, the Prince of Wales on her left and slightly behind, and the other members of the Royal circle grouped in the background. Opposite the dais the Gentlemen-at-Arms were ranged in their brilliant scarlet, gold and blue uniforms, with glittering gilt helmets crowned with white swan plumes. Pour of the King’s Indian Orderly Officers were also on duty, despite the fact that the King was not present. Meanwhile the dozens of gilt chairs arranged in the adjoining Long Gallery were being occupied by the assembling guests, who numbered well over a thousand. A touch of Tudor magnificence was added by the King’s Bodyguard of Yeomen of the Guard in their quaint mediaeval scarlet and gold dress,, each man armed with a long pike. The Queen seated in her golden chair, was like a fairy-tale figure. All about her fell softly flowing draperies of gold. Her glittering gown was of old English gold brocade richly embroidered in a mingled design of fleur-de-lys and roses. Semi-precious gems of the colour of rubies, emeralds, sapphires and opals almost covered the folds of the skirt, and at one side was spread out a wonderful Court train of Indian cloth of gold, which also flashed with the rich colourings of *he jewelled embroideries. Her ornament., were emeralds, wonderfully green against the golden background of her gown. They shone out among the magnificent diamonds in her coronet, sparkled in her necklaces and bracelets, and among the diamonds in the priceless corsage ornaments which she wore. Most magnificent cf them all was the lovely carved Indian emerald —presented to the Queen during her tour through India with the King—which was worn as a pendant. Her decorations were the Order of the Garter with its blue ribbon and diamond star, and various family orders. Among the beautiful dresses worn bywomen attending the Court pink was the predominant colour, and a great deal of silver was seen. The Duchess of Devonshire, Mistress of the Robes tc Her Majesty, was in petunia pink satin worn with beautiful pearls. The Countess of Bective wore a lace gown of pale pink shading to parchment. Mrs Arthur Henderson, wife of the Foreign Secretary, who made severa: presentations, was one of the many wearers of silver. The Hon. Mrs Went-worth-Chetwynd, Lord Chetwynd's sis-ter-in-law, wore a gown of parchmer.l satin beaute, with a train of valuable old Viennese lace. She presented hei daughter, Miss Joan Chetwynd, who wore a porcelain-white frock, in foaming tulle, with the applique ribbon embroidery in a leaf design that is much favoured at the moment, her train being also of the tulle. Miss Margaret Whigham, one of the season’s most attractive debutantes, wore another lovely white dress, also in tulle, and cut on long moulded lines, breaking into fullness below the knee. Delicate silver embroideries covered the corsage, the tulle train being also lightly embroidered. This debutante’s mother, Mrs George Hay Whigham, chose a parchment-coloured marquisette gown cut on similar lines; it was heavily embroidered in diamante, and had a train of parchment-coloured velvet with an all-over design in diamante. Lady Violet Pakeham, the third sister of Lord Longford, was one of the many in pink. She wore a Reville gown of malmaison pink net. Narrow satin ribbon was appliqued to the moulded bouffant skirt, and the silver lame train was lined with pink chiffon and edged with narrow silver lace. An interesting debutante was Mile, du Halgouet, who was presented by Mme. de Pleuriau, wife of the French Ambassador. The Vicomte du Halgouet is Commercial Attache at the French Embassy, and his daughter frequently helps him at his office. Her dress was of white lace cut on full lines, and to match her green sash, Mile, du Halgouet wore green shoes. Her train was of white lace mounted on green satin, and her headdress a circlet of pearls. As at the two former Courts this season, it was noticeable that both debutantes and chaperones wore dresses touching the ground in almost every case. Pale pastel shades had been generally chosen, particularly blue and orchid pink, while many of the younger girls wore picturesque billowing gowns of white, tulle, lightly embroidered with silver, crystal or diamante. Ivory and white dresses were popular with many of the older presentees as well. Fans outnumbered deference to the Queen’s recognised preference—since the perfume of so many collected flowers would quickly become overpowering in the ballroom. Eight hundred presentations were made, each of the debutantes and other . presentees being announced by the Earl of Cromer, as Lord Chamberlain.

Supper was served at buffets in several of the adjoining State Rooms.