CITIZENS’ BALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12735, 3 September 1919, Page 5

CITIZENS’ BALL.

NAVAL OFFICERS ENTERTAINED. NOTABLE AT COLOSSEUM. The citizens’ first cnts-rtaimncnt to tlie officers of liis Majesty's ship New Zealand was a. ball, which was held in. the Colosseum last night under ideal dancing conditions. The ball served to put the visitors into a social stream among their overseas kinsfolk, and it provided the citizens with one of tho most brilliant functions in tho history of the city The ball was the result of long planning and much artistic fore* thought. It was held on tho biggest dancing floor in the city, and possibly in the Dominion, and the outstanding feature of it was the complete transfer* ma lion of a hail that did not lend itself very readily to beautifying. Nevertheless the scene was one which simply captivated the multitude of dancers that kept time to the rhythm of'.the orchestra. A PINK AND WHITE ELYSIUM. Pink and white provided the colour scheme for the decorations of the hail. Two enormous inverted bells of oink and white streamers were looped up gracefully from the roof of the building. each of them being the centre for a brilliant display of electric lighting. Pink and wnito streamers of lino muslin crossed the ceiling, obliterating' all traces of the rough rafters. In the centre of the hall the orchestral preserve was a fairy bower of pink and white roses illuminated with soft frosted incandescent lights. The design of the decorations was largely floral, pink loses being in evidence wherever one turned while huge _ hanging baskets draped with lycopodium or lilled with seasonable cinerarias, made a pleasant picture wherever the eye turned. There was a group of Allied flags over the southern end of the huge interior, where an overhead balcony provided a sanctuary for those who wished to escape from tho gaiety and constant movement of the dancing floor. Around the sides of the building were easy chairs and settees, advantageously placed for those who were sitting out, and giving a good view of the evening’s activities. Conveniently placed lounges and smoking-rooms, in marquees at the Gloucester Street end of the building, prodded a resting-place from the too strenuous pursuit of the dancing art. and altogether the guests found themselves in a fairyland of bright scenery and delightful dressing. LORD JELLICOE’S ARRIVAL. The ballroom was substantially filled with dancers long before nine o’clock, when Lord and Lady Jellicoe were timed to arrive. The hall was graced by many naval officers from H.M.S. New Zealand. "With their gold-laced evening dress, wearing their numerous miniature decorations, they added colour to a very beautiful scene of colonial beauty and Old English gallantry. There was an area roped off for the official set, which was limited to the distinguished guests and a small army of debutantes. Lord and Lady Jellicoe arrived punctually at nine o’clock with the mayoral party, and it was not long before the official set had been formed, and a lively lancers was in progress to the tune of, “ A Life on the Ocean Wave.” The official set consisted of The Mayoress (Mrs Thacker) and Lord Jellicoe. Lady Jellicoe and Mr A. Boyle. Mrs H. F. Wigram and Colonel Chaffey. Mrs Boyle and Commodore Dreyer. Mrs Ohaffey and Major Norton I rancis. Mrs Norton Francis and Mr J. J. Dougall (chairman of the Ball Committee). Miss Dougall and Captain Leggett. Mrs Bean and Mr Justice Herdrnan, The Mayor, who escorted Lady. Jcliicoe into the hall, wore his chain ox office, and was a spectator of the official set, which was spiritedly entered into, Lord and Lady Jellicoe bearing out their reputation as lovers of the ‘‘light fantastic.” There was a crowded audience watching the official set, and also tne maiden effort of the debutantes, and the event gave to the proceedings a hvely swing which was maintained throughout the evening. A SURPRISE SUPPER. The snowstorm overnight had absolutely wrecked the twin marquees in which supper was to be served. Tha workers yesterday morning were faced with a scene of desolation. Huge rents had been torn in the canvas, and tha tents were, flat on the ground. Hurried consultations were held as to whether supper should be transferred to the King’s Theatre, but those in charge of the job decided that at any cost they would re-erect •’ the tents and continue with the original programme. By early afternoon they had tho tents in order again, and tho sodden flooring was with carpets and heavy coir mats. Three sittings were necessary to copo with the great crowd of nearly a thousand dancers that filled the supper hall. A roost pleasant surprise awaited them when they were ushered in to the supper tables. Glorious daffodils from the Hon R H Rhodes’s estate at Otahuna graced the tables. They were blooms fit to compete at a horticultural show. Enormous trumpets of various shades of yellow filled the eye of the connoisseur and called forth almost breathless praise from the crowds that flocked into supper at the- appointed hour. Seventy dozen blooms had come from Tai Tcrpu, and they were reinforced by cinerarias, maidenhair fern and orchids, many of them from “ Mona Vale.” The Admiral’s table was an artistic triumph, and the whole scene was one that reached high-water mark, in the humble annals of Christchurch. The guests were soon seated to an accompaniment of popping champagne corks, and after a lively supper interval the Mayor rose to call on the company first to drink the health of hia Majesty the King and then of Lord and Lady Jellicoe. Needless to say, the toasts were lustily honoured, and although the Mayor declared that he ■ would not permit of a response, the Admiral rose, amid very hearty handclapping, to thank these present, in the briefest terms, for the compliment they had done him. Then Lady Jellicoe, who had already endeared herself to everybody present by her charming naturalness, called on the comnany to drink the health of the Mayor and Mayoress. This was done very heartily, and the Mayor, in responding, greeted the Admiral with a welcome in the Maori tongue, praising his successful efforts in surmounting the difficult tasks that had confronted himSupper ended very gaily, and the company then went out to keep time with the dance music until well into the small hours of the morning. Needless to say, some of the frocks were most elaborate and lovely. The ball gave an excuse for the wearing of frocks on the ground of_ sheer beautyalone, with no ulterior view to utility. Brocades of gleaming gold and silver held sway for manv of the most beautiful gowns, brocades which fell in graceful lines, and which often were accompanied by trains. THE DRESSES. Viscountess Jellicoe wore a gorgeous frock —a veritable “ cloth of gold.” It was of gold figured brocade, the small sleeves and upper part of tho bodice being of fine gold lsce._ Mrs Thacker (the Mayoress) looked very striking in & pale turquoise-green ninon frock, the contrasting note being a deep rosepink belt. Mrs Wigram wore a handsome black georgette frock, with a black and gold tunic bodice ; Mrs W. S. Bean, black jewelled ninon frock over black, satin. Mrs Boyle, a charming black satin charmouse draped gown, with paniers and train of fine black and white lace. Mrs Algar Williams, dark blue and pink brocaded satin, with tiny bodice of 'face. Mrs Norton Francis, a grace-

S ? Un chsrm « us e frock, adorned vi n t ri i ? ce ‘, ss Dougall, becoming of i apCd , with a Wlde corselet belt over 1 fi rS ° haiie y’ black *>H.on frock, i biack c ii ! i dat! °? ot white ‘ Mrs H - Holland, : jet b ,f ca . de frock, trimmed with black , of blJfc , Bcmd - farming silhouette frock 01 black, charmeuse, with a ouaint hip belt of fS Miss Ircne Smith, smart' frock I m ' aon m Pannier effect over a Mrs H. R. Smith, “f J r e i ed net lrock 0V(!r satin. Mrs Wb},Ti AnderSOn -’ p ‘‘ !e l ’®!i»lrope satin frock, "f,* J , ace overdress, lady Kinsey, * black | * ?*£’ f bertha of C9:rri clone cross ce. ■ Mrs Alowbray ■ 3Vipp. cream spotted xt- ’ U l , . iass Sylvia. Rattray, black flounced net' over whits eharmeiisc, the wide swathed beds of jadc-grecn. Airs W. 11. Clark, liya-cuith-bins ■ charmeuse frock, with a gold lace bodice. MiSs Boyle, sinking frock of moon-light-blue charmeuse, with blue and silver brocaaeo. panniers, Mrs Arthur Elworthy, a lovely toilette of mist-blue ninon, handsomely trimmed with iridescent jewelled net. in sev- ! oral colours. Miss Perry, pale blue frock, ; with rose-pink belt. Mrs Neville, elec- I trie-blue silk frock. Mrs ' Donald- i son, black georgette and jet frock, j Miafl Clifford, black satin charmeuse and black georgette; Miss Molly Clifford, powderblue heavy silk frock with silver embroideries and silver tissue corsage. Miss June Clifford, black georgette over black satin. Miss Hester Gould, dull sase-bluc satin frock. Miss Sylvia Westenra, pretty blue frock with silver trimming. Miss Rosamund Wood, mauve ninon. Miss Elsie Freeman, jadegreen and silver. Mrs J. Stevenson, oystergrey ninon over white. Alisa btudhoime, Aemon-yetiow ninon frock with gold lace trimming. Mrs A. M’Master, pale pink jewelled frock. Miss Betty Cotteriii, smart black flounced net frock with floral sash tied with butterfly bow at the back. Miss Ida Brown, canary-yellow satin, charmeuse, Mrs j Huie, white satin charmeuao frock with quaint dark green leaves edging the bodice and the shoulder straps. Mrs George Rhodes, white duchesse satin frock with a lovely overdress of diaphanous lacot Mrs Andreao, apple-green net frock over self-colour, the contrasting note being carried out in a lovely black scarlet ostrich feather fan. Miss AG:;. ±.,1110.. while satin with silver embroidered 'net overdress. Miss Nan .Rich, mack. net frock with black jot trimming. Mrs H. . Cross, old gold' ebarmeuse frock with geld and silver embroidery trimming. Airs F. A’Court, smart black chiffon taffetas frock with panniers of silver laoe. Mrs Bentley Davison, a sweetly pretty frock of pale peach-coloured ’georgette and silver. Mrs Sleigh, an oyster-grey satin frock veiled in black jewelled ninon. Mrs • J. Williams, cream lace frock. Miss Nqrah Bennett, black and gold ninon and lace. Miss lua Warner, pretty pale blue ninon frock. Miss Trixie Warren, a deep mauve ninon irock adorned with mauve and violet beaded motifs. Miss Dot Cook, very chic frock composed of silver and black dewdrop net trimmed with French posies in blue and pink. Miss Ruth Manning, a pale blue satin frock veiled in smoke-grey ninon. Alias Joan Quane, white satin draped gown. Mrs Richard Wallwork, becoming gown of white satin, with diamante corsage. Miss Hilary Bullen, lovely accordcon-pleated cream georgette frock, with traceries of silver. Alisa Ailsa Bullen, lovely peach-coloured ninon and satin frock. Mrs Saunders, a black ninon and gold face frock. Mise F.lla Helmore, filmy frock of smoke-grey georgette, with lime-yellow belt and emMiss Madge Farsonson, dainty lemon-yellow ciepc de chine frock, adorned with wooden beaded edging and relieved by a blue belt. Miss Dorothy Farsonson, smart frilly black net frock, each frill being edged with narrow gold braid. Airs D, Reese, pale pink frock, with jewelled bodice. Mrs C. G. Dalgely, a handsome navy blue and gold brocaded gown, with touches of cerise on the hip panniers. Mrs Andrew Burns, very smart frock of black georgette and charmeuse, with silver embroidery. Mrs H. Acland, a cerise ninon frock, veiled in navy blue. Aliss Ngaio Marsh, dainty coral-pink ninon and crepe de ■ chine frock. Miss Alcg. Wane-bop, smart black chiffon taffetas frock, relieved with scarlet loses. Mrs O. Holford. becoming frock of black satin, adorned with emerald-green and gold spider-web passementerie.' Miss Rita Gibson, tanr.ry-ycllow and turqnoisc-bino frock. Mrs Scott, petunia-coloured tissue frock, with black overdress. Mrs C. J. Treleaven, smart frock of black ninon and satin, the bodice of which was composed of peacockblue tissue. Airs Cyril Ward, ft charming frock of jade-green ninon, embroidered in fine silver and edged with a silver fringe. Miss Stella Murray, mauve ninon frock. Mrs Douglas Anderson, mconli£ht-blu« charmeuse, with wide swathed belt <Jf blue and brocade. Miss Loulie Bean, turquoiso-blu© ninon frock, with violet trimming. Airs Harold Greenwood, a bcfrilled spotted net irock, trimmed with small rosebuds. Miss Alarjorie Bain, shell-pink frock, with cream net overdress Miss Mona Robinson, handsome black satin' frock, with a gold lace tunic corsage. Alisa Lorna Bean, very pretty cream satin frock, with gold lace corsage and sleeves. Miss Claire Mason, green satin,_ with a black net ovedress. Miss Marjorie Kirk, cyclamencoloured georgette frock. .Not lor maiiy years has there been buch a good opportunity lor giris to make their debut and fast night there were many who came into the "grown-up” world lor the first time, opportunity, too,.was given tor this season’s debutantes to dance in the first set of lancers, and this they did. As many as possible danced with our naval visitors, but others danced with members of the committee and army officers, it was difficult to favour one girl more than another, .so sweet did they all look with their white frocks, and little wreaths of flowers on their hair and carrying- white debutante pdsiea. Among the girls who made their debut were Miss Mody Bean, Miss Alffi Kirk, Miss -Koeline Knight, Mias Isobei Milts, Aliss Korah Foster, Miss Esme A’Court, Alias .Doris Thacker, Aliss N online Fisher, Miss Jessie Drury, Aliss Rita Parkinson, Aliss Mavewa Parkinson, Alias Phyllis Murray, Miss Speight, Alias Goss, Miss Elsie Wood, Miss Dorothy Hay, Miss Nancy Cyrus Williams, Miss Alone. Bethune, Miss Huia Booth, Miss Eileen Fairbairn, Miss Hilary Bullen, Miss Ethel Reid, Misses Hazel and Violet Herdman, Miss M’Donald, Miss Claire Merrett, Miss Constance M’Gallan, Miss A. M’Milian, Miss. A. Archer, Miss Ethel Wynn-Willi&mo, Alias Valmai Matson, Miss Audrey Richardson, Miss Colleen Otbell, Miss Edith Parsons, Miss. Alma Blackley, Miss Mona M’Eae, Aliss Phyllis Pinckney, Miss Cicely Fitzherbort, Alisa Henderson, Miss Alorrish, Miss D.' Sandston, Miss K, Lawrence, Miss Irene Thomson (Bennetts), Miss Elizabeth Newell, Aliss Wilson, Mias M. Guillermo, Aliss Constance Ledger, Miss Barbara Webb, Miss Jean M’Dougall end Miss Rite Matson. Others present were Dr and Mrs Foster, Mr and Mrs Cyrus Williams, Air and Mrs J. D. Hall, A£r and Mrs William Wood,’ Mrs Charles Bean, Mr and Mrs Bernard Wood, Air arid - Mrs M. Brown, • Dr and Mrs Richard Anderson, Aliss Kathleen Anderson, Miss Wilson. Mr, and Mrs Moore, Mr. and Mrs Henry Cotteriii; Mrs R. Allen, Dr and Mrs Simpson. Mr and Mrs Carey-

Hil!, Dr and Mrs Duncan, Mr and Mrs Hammond, Mr and Mrs F. W. Freeman, Mr and Mrs Cecil Kelly, Mr Justice Herdman, Mr and Mrs Pearce, Mr and Mrs Leicester Matson, Mr and Misa M'Murny, Mr and Mrs Kenneth Robinson, Mi and Mrs A. Nicholls and Dr and Mrs Mickle. Tiio Admiral was received at the Gloucester Street entrance of the Colosseum by a guard of honour supplied by ,E Battery. in command of Lieutenant After a salute, had been given the Admiral inspected the guard. He was received with cheers by the crowd waiting outside. Tne whole of the dance hall was brilliantly lighted, yet the effect was soft rather than hard, and the dancers were hardly conscious of the source from which the light came. This happy state of affairs was the result of the cajreful lighting scheme carried out bv Messrs Turnbull and Jones. They had employed a great aggregate candle-power, but by the use of frosted lamps, and by the careful placing of the higher-power-ed lamps, they had produced a splen-didly-lit scone that was a triumph of the illuminator’s art. The lamps had been placed most advantageously to make the very most of the colour scheme, and many complimentary' remarks were passed regarding the success which attended the lighting. The decorations which transformed the Colosseum shared with the lighting ; the chief honours of the evening? The work was done by Messrs A, J. White and Co., who had employed simply miles of pink and white muslin, with hanging I baskets of blossoms, coloured paper showers, and pink lamp shades, which all added to the. dainty effect and helped to produce a scene that did the utmost credit to the firm concerned-