NATIONAL PARTY BALL IN MARION WAS GREAT SUCCESS; ELEVEN DEBS.

Wanganui Chronicle, 8 May 1948, Page 3

NATIONAL PARTY BALL IN MARION WAS GREAT SUCCESS; ELEVEN DEBS.

Meeting with a success which will give it a permanent place on Marton's social calendar, the lirsl annual ball of the Marton branch of the National Party, he.d in the Civic Theatre on Wednesday evening, attracted a large crowu ol dancers, including visitors from Dannevirke, Palmerston North, Wellington, Feilding, Wanganui, Hunterville, Raetihi and Talhape. Guests of honour included the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Mr. K. J. Holyoake, who was accompanied by Mrs. Ho.yoake. Mr. and Mrs. Holyoake, on entering the Civic Theatre, were welcomed by Mr. J. Caithness, chairman of the Rangitikei electorate, who introduced the electorate officials and chairman of the ball committee. Later, from the stage, Mr. Holyvake was introduced to those present by Mr. E. B. Gordon, M.P., and in replying Mr. Holyoake expressed his pleasure at being present at the first annual ball of the Marton branch and congratulated the committee and all those responsible for the way in which the decorations had been carried out and for the obvious success of the function. Beautiful bouquets were presented to Mrs. Holyoake and Miss D. F. Kimpton, ball secretary, and to Mrs. Gordon, wife of the member for Rangitikei, by Miss D. Peterson. With the unstinted use of flowers, greenery, streamers and balloons, the Civic Theatre was transformed into an attractive ballroom, a feature comparatively new to Martor. oeing the introduction of tables around one end of the dance floor, giving a cabaret effect. The party co.ours of blue and white predominated in the decorative scheme, streamers suspended from a central light and sweeping away to thi walls providing a canopy of colour. A feature of the decorations was the bank of chrysanthemums fronting the stage and orchestra stand, hundreds of blooms threaded into lattice work making a truly beautiful display. The stage was furnished as a lounge. Lending an air of gaiety were huge clusters of balloons suspended above the dance floor, later to be released among the dancers. Other new numbers were provided to complete a splendid dance programme. Eleven debutantes, the largest number to be presented for some years at a public ball in Marton, were presented to Mr. and Mrs. Holyoake and to Mr. E. B. Gordon, M.P. for Rangitikei, and Mrs. Gordon. Mr. Dougla,-. Howard announced the name of each lovely debutante as she was presented to the officia' party. Mrs. Holyoake wore a frock of ruby lace and Mrs. E. B. Gordon's frock was of black and gold net.

DEBUTANTES’ FROCKING The debutantes were: — Miss Barbara Baddeley, younger daughter of Mr and Mrs C. Baddeiey, of Kakatahi, wore white stiffened lace over taffeta, styled with a circu.ar skirt, heart-shaped neckline and cape sleeves. Interest was given the neckline with bows of tt-iieta backed lace threaded through at each side. She wore a spray of scarlet flowers in her hair to match her posy. Presenting her was her cousin, Mrs. Ewen Campbell, of Marton. Miss Jean Christie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Christie, South Makirikiri, was presented by her mother. Her frock of embossed marquisette over satin had a heart-shapea neckline, with full puffed sleeves, and a fitting and slightly gathered waistline. The skirt was ballerina style. Miss Dawn Henderson, daughter of Mr and Mrs C. H. Henderson, Marton, was presented by Miss C. M. Beckett and wore a frock of white embroidered marquisette over taffeta cut on simple lines with an off the shoulder effect. She carried a bouquet of pale pink and blue flowers. Miss Judith Howard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Howard, Marton, was presented by her mother. Her dress of cream marquisette over cream taffeta had a long bodice with applique work on the shoulders and a gathered skirt. Miss Howard carried a bouquet of cream and gold freesias. slightly tinted with blue flowers, and wore a hair spray to match. Miss Roh ena Husband, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. R. Husband, Hunterville, was presented by her mother. Iler frock was of ninon material with a satin stripe inserted in a very full skirt, and with gathered sleeves. Miss Mary Leslie, daughter of Mr. C. R. Leslie, Marton, was presented by Mrs. T. C. Ward. An attractive frock of lemon gold georgette with a very full skirt and tightly fitting

waistline was worn by Miss Leslie. Miss Shirley Morgan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Morgan, Marton, was presented by her mother. Miss Morgan's frock featured an off the shoulder all-over ivory lace bodice, with folds of silk tuile draping the shoulders, and a bouffant silk tulle skirt over ivory satin. A bouquet of pastel shade blooms was carried by Miss Morgan. Miss Joyce Morrison, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. W. Morrison, Fern Flats, Marton, was presented by Mrs J-. A. Caithness. Miss Morrison wore a frock of ninon martesste, carrying an attractive embossed lily of the valley pattern. A “sweetheart” necklne wasrieatured, while sequins across the front and bn the sleeves made a pleasing effect. Miss Ann Pieterson, daughter of Mt and Mrs. J. L. Pieterson, Marton, was presented ay her mother. Miss Pieterson wore a frock of white georgette bearing embossed roses, and with gold sequin pattern in the cehtre. Miss Joan Pryce, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. O. Pryce, Halcombe, was presented by her mother. Her frock of embossed macrere was set eff the shoulders and had a full skirt. Miss Ngaire Robbie, third daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Robbie, Allison Street, D'lrie Hill, was presented by her mother. Her frock of white georgette was fashioned on Victorian lines with a ruched fichu neckline, a fitting pointed bodice and a bustle bow of moire taffeta on the full gathered skirt which was finished with a spray of pale pink flowevs. Her posy was of pale pink flowers with touches of blue. MANY DINNER PARTIES Several dinner parties were held prior to the ball. Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Gordon entertained guests from Dannevirke, Taihape, Wanganui and Feilding at thejr home, “Braemore,” Fern Flats. The catering was capably carried out by Messrs Dustins Ltd., Wanganui, and the excellent music by Marks’ eight-piece orchestra was very much enjoyed by the dancers. The committee responsible for the ball arrangements was: Mr. L. Baines (chairman), Miss D. F. Kimoton (hon. secretary), Mesdn nes E. B. Gordon, J. Caithness, F, P. Gould. M. C. Fenwicke, J. Lampp, C. Simcox, Misses C. M. Beckett, E. M. Jones, K. Simpson, I. Cameron, D. Paterson. L. Crabb, M. Themnson, and Messrs Douglas Howard. Derek Howard. T. E. Barton. M. McConachie. S. McManaway, E. F. Pickford and G. E. Gordon.