LARGE CROWD AT THE COLLEGIATE OLD BOYS' BALL

Wanganui Chronicle, 19 April 1949, Page 7

LARGE CROWD AT THE COLLEGIATE OLD BOYS' BALL

SEVEN DEBUTANTES The annual ball, held by the Wanganui Collegiate School Old Boys’ Association and which concluded the festivities of the Eastertime reunion, was a most successful function. The dignity of Big School, rich in memories for many of the dancers, was not marred by an extravagant decorative scheme. Bunting streamers in the school colours of blue and gold were looped from the gallery into a large ring suspended from the centre of the ceiling, and beneath this hung a large chandelier of multi-col-oured paper flowers and paper grapes. On the pillars round the hall were tall branches of greenery, with masses of hydrangeas and brightly coloured papef flowers, giving a gay effect. Banners representing the four houses were arranged on the draped gallery, and at the far end was suspended the badge of the Old Boys’ Association. A large classroom leading off the main hall, and the entrance hall also decorated in greenery and paper flowers, the latter being used as a lounge. The chandelier was the work of Mrs. Nowell- Izard, and the paper flowers used in the other decorations were made by the wives of committee members.

Supper was served in the dining hall, where vases of flowers in the school colours decorated the long tables, and the twinkling flames from the candles set in the high Tudor style candlesticks, shed a soft glow over -the flowers and added to the brightness of the scene. Major-General A. S. Wilder, of Waipukurau, president of the Old Boys’ Association, and Mrs. Wilder were the host and hostess, and to whom seven debutantes made their bow. Mrs. Wilder wore a gown of amethyst georgette with the bodice and cape effect studded with sequins and beads in amethyst tonings. She was presented with a lovely bouquet by the Old Boys’ Association. In the official party were the Rev. H. W. Austin, acting headmaster (during Mr. F. W. Gilligan's absence in England) Mrs. Austin and Mrs. Gilligan. Mrs. Austin was wearing a frock of screened printed multi-coloured heavy matt silk with full-flared skirt and ribbon strapped shoulders, and a spray to match the toning of the frock. Long white kid gloves and bag, and a fur wrap completed her ensemble. Mrs. Gilligan chose a frock of sage green moire taffeta in off-the-shoulder effect and full flared skirt. She wore a fox fur cape and a spray of cream roses. The ball committee comprised Dr. I. K. Wilson, chairman and president of the Wanganui branch of the association; Mr. J. A. Burnet, secretary; committee, Messrs I. C. Webster, A. F. A. Woollams, M. B. Hirst, C. C. Miles, F. A. Millward, H. M. Keesing, D. G Young, M. Taiboys, W. M. Willis, A Izard, E. P. Richardson, J. Gilligan, E. Dashfield, B. M. Silk and G. S. Strachan. . The debutantes presented were Miss Locheen Strachan, only daughter ol Mr. and Mrs Wallace Strachan, ot “Lornty,” Okoia. She wore a full skirted frock of white tulle over pale pink tulle, with ti-ght-litting bodice softly pintucked, and the round neckline caught on the shoulders with flat bows. A long pale pink sash witn bustle bow adorned the frock, ana round, the back of the hair she wore a semi-circlet of flowers. She carried a small white feather fan and wore long kid gloves. Her wrap was a short white fur coat. Mrs. Strachan, who presented her daughter, wore a gown of black ring velvet and taffeta

in alternate bands, and an orchid spray. Miss Anne Coupland, third daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O. Coupland, Grey Street, Wanganui, whose mid-Vic-torian style frock of white moire taffeta, had a neckline finished with a fichu. The skirt was in bustle effect. She carried a posy of lemon and cream roses. Mrs. Coupland, who presented her daughter, wore a gown of midnight blue and toning spray. Miss Ann Deroles, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Deroles, of Wairenga, Rangiwahia, whose frock of silverpink French embossed brocade was fashioned with a heavily pleated skirt at the back, falling from a long-waist-ed bodice with an off-the-shoulder neckline. She carried a fan of pink orchids and rosebuds, edged with pink tulle. A white fur cape formed her wrap. She was presented by her mother, who wore a grey and chartreuse striped moire taffeta gown, chartreuse gloves, and a spray of slipper orchids. Miss Jocelyn Knight, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Knight, Liverpool Street Extension, Wanganui, who was presented by her mother, wore a very full bouffant style frock of white spotted net over taffeta. A ruffled frill finished the off-the-shoulder neckline of the tightfitting bodice, and a band of gold leaves and pearls trimmed the waistline. A similar band was worn in her hair. Her posy was in gold and cream tonings and mittens to match her frock were worn. Mrs. Knight wore a gown of midnight blue georgette, sprigged in silver flowers, and a spray of roses. Miss Audrey Allan, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Norman B. Allan, Nelson Street, Wanganui, whose frock of white embroidered georgette over taffeta, had a bouffant skirt, tightfitting bodice with slightly off-the-shoulder neckline featuring a tucked berthe with a cluster of flowers in the centre to match the cluster at the waistline and her crescent-shaped headdress. Her posy of white and pink flowers had touches of blue. Her wrap was a cape of lambskin. Mrs. Allan, who presented her daughter, was in black corded taffeta with full skirt, square neckline and puff sleeves. A crimson rose was worn above the waistline. Miss Heather E. E. Lambert, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Leslie Lambert, of “Araroa,” Hunterville, who was presented by her mother. She chose a frock of ivory brocaded French organza over a deeper ivory satin. Cut on Edwardian lines, the skirt was three-tiered and the low cut bodice finished with a deep berthe of accor-dian-pleated fine lace and net. Round her neck she wore a pendant of miniature white orchids and white heather to match her spray. Her wrap was a cape of ivory velvet. Mrs. Lambert’s gown was a floral satin in deep petunia and violet shades on an oystercoloured background, and a spray to match. Miss Diana Buchanan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Buchanan, of “Nethertfy,” Pongaroa, was in a frock of magnolia taffeta with an off-the-shoulder effect and a very full skirt with a double flounce at the hem. She wore a corsage of pale pink single briar roses to match the cluster in the flounce at the hem of the skirt. Her posy was of pale pink carnations and gypsophila. She wore pale pink gloves and her wrap was of white lambswool. Mrs. Buchanan presented her daughter, wearing a gown of powder blue brocaded lame, with a powder blue wrap and pale blue gloves.

The debutantes were joined by their partners for the debutantes’ waltz.