VICE-REGAL BALL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 253, 25 October 1937, Page 2

VICE-REGAL BALL

THIRTY-TWO DEBUTANTES A brilliant gathering toow place at Government House, Wellington, last Thursday evening, when 32 debutantes, in exquisite gowns, were presented to Their Excellencies, the Governor-General and Viscountess Galway. Massed with lovely floral decorations the ballroom, drawing room, dining room and various sitting rooms were a fascinating picture, as also were the enclosed-in verandahs and conservatory. The ball, which is always looked upon by the young people as the main social event of the season, was a brilliant affair and had a special significance for the debutantes. This being Coronation year, they had the privilege of making their curtsey before the representatives of the newlycrowned King and Queen at the first ball to be held at Government House in the new reign. The presentation of the debutantes took place in the drawing room, where Major Arthur Purvis announced them to Their Excellencies. Standing behind Their Excellencies were Mrs. T. M. Wilkes, Mrs. I. P. Standish and members of the house party. These included: Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Macfarlane, Miss Diana Elworthy, Miss Philipa Riddiford, Mr. H. W. Wilson and Mr. B. R. Wardell. Mrs. Arthur Purvis was’ with the Hon. Mary, the Hon. Celia and the Hon. Isabel Monckton.

Lady Galway wore a trained gown of peach satin shot* with gold. On one shoulder was a spray or orchids and lily-of-the-valley, and a diamond clasp caught the frock at the waist. A diamond necklace matched the diamond coronet on her head. An ostrich feather fan to match her frock was carried.

The debutantes presented were:— Miss Mary Albertson, Miss Margaret Armour, Miss Bernice Beale (Ohau), Miss Cecily Beechey (Marton), Miss Colleen Bohan, Miss Margery Bridgman, Misses Joy and Vivienne Collie, Miss Helen Farmer (King Country), Miss Frances Gardiner, Miss Marion Heenan, Miss Bernice Hogg, Miss Suzanne Izard (Wanganui). Miss Nola Hector-Jones (Hastings), Miss Isabel Jury (Carterton), Miss Jean Kemp, Miss Olive Loasby (Greytown), Miss Janet Moore (Nelson), Miss Joyce O’Neill (Wanganui), Miss Marjorie Osborne, Miss Esme Pearson (Ohakune), Miss Mary Richmond, *Miss Mollie Riddell (Dannevirke), Miss Joan Shennan, Miss Wanda Smith (Silverstream), Miss Betty Stevens, Miss Mary Stott, Miss Joyce Sutherland, Miss Audrey Tanner, Miss Lola Tingey, Miss Betty Wallace (Wanganui), and Miss Kathleen Watson.

Among the debutantes were Miss Cecily Beechey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Beechey, of Marton, who was presented by her grandmother, Lady Cairncross. The debutante was wearing a Victorian frock of powder blue corded taffeta with a ruched skirt. There were posies of lavender and blue forget-me-not on the skirt and bodice to match her bouquet. Lady Cairncross wore a cyclamen satin gown with a posy to tone.

Miss Betty Wallace, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Wallace, Kakatahi, Wanganui, who was presented by her mother, Mrs. R. W. Wallace, was wearing a Victorian, frock of white tulle over taffeta, the tiny sleeves being trimmed with ruching to match the ruching on the skirt, which formed a pannier effect. The waistline was tightly shirred and a three-quarter ivory satin cape completed the ensemble. Scarlet anemones were worn in the hair and the same flowers mixed with maidenhair fern formed a bouquet and corsage spray. Mrs. Wallace wore an Elizabeth blue cloche Viennese frock, a basque falling into a kilted train, a black velvet cape and a corsage spray of pink and blue roses.

Miss Suzanne Izard (Wanganui), who was presented by her mother, Mrs. W. A. Izard, and Miss Joyce O’Neill (Wanganui), presented by her mother, Mrs. P. A. O’Neill, a description of whose frocks appeared in Friday morning's issue.