CARNIVAL BALL FOR SECOND ECHELON

Camp News, Volume 1, Issue 12, 1 March 1940, Page 7

CARNIVAL BALL FOR SECOND ECHELON

Mayor As Patron Of A.N.A. Club

Trentham. gave an action-song item, assisted by the Maori girl-entertainers from the Exhibition. They were led by Mr. P. T. West. The platoon from ( the Maori Battalion had been brought to the ball in a body as a prize from their instructor when they won the competition for the best platoon al the Central District School of Instruction Opportunity was taken to give a publie farewell to Group Captain and Mrs. Wilkes, who will leave shortly for Australia, where Group Captain Wilkes is to take up a position as liaison officer in Melbourne. As a special gesture from the women’s committee of the A.N.A.. the first 500 men of the Second Echelon to arrive at the ball were presented with button and rifle-cleaning outfits as mementos. These were small floral bags, each with a blank name-plate and containing squares of flannelette. The bags were made by the women headed by Mrs. F. E. Whatley, and presented to the men by the girls of the Young People’s Auxiliary, led by Miss V. Neeley. Mr. L. Evans provided the material for the outfits. A sumptuous supper was served, will; Mesdames E. Puttick, E. Luke and H. W. L. Saunders at the head of the band of 20 helpers, who worked from early in the day preparing the food. Much, of the provisions for the weekly dances are regularly donated by city firms, tin D. Kirkcaldie and Stains. James Smith, the Larder, ’ Mrs. Aunt, the Green Room, and the Rosy Tearoom. A monthly hamper is sent down from Otaki by the women’s patriotic committee of that district, headed by Dr. E. C. Atmore, mayoress of Otaki, and Mrs. .J. N. O’Halloran, secretary. Among the official guests were Mrs F. E. Bailey, wife of the president of the A.N.A. Club. Mr. and Mrs. P. Nor man, Colonel Cowles. Colonel and Mrs. R. A. Roe, Captain C. N. Henry and Miss Henry, Mr. and Mrs. J. Spence Two competitions were held, and Miss Olwyn Lowry won an iced cake, and Mr. W. C. Fishenden won a giant cracker. The latter was a decorative affair in blue and mauve, about three feet long. Beginning this week, the A.N.A. is providing a further service, when tin clubrooms at 12 Victoria Street will be open to men in uniform to read, rest or have afternoon tea each Saturday afternoon.

More, than 1200 people gathered in the Wellington Town Hall on Saturday night when the A.N.A. Club held a carnival dance in honour of the men of the Second Echelon, N.Z.E.F. The .gallery was packed with spectators watching the crowds on the dance floor, where the predominance of uniforms of the army, navy and air force made abundantly clear the meaning of the club's three-letter name. With the flags of the Allies hung around the gallery rail, the uniform.of 600 men, and the red, white and blue badges worn by members of the A.N.A. Club,' the patriotic spirit of the occasion was evident. Ferns were massed about , the orchestral dais, and cool greenery made that part of the gallery overlooking the dance floor an ideal sitting-out place. The official party was seated in an alcove appropriately decorated with flags, and the main entrance to the hall was also hung w ill bunting. The mayor and mayoress, Mr. and Mrs. Hislop, who have just accepted the offices of patron and patroness of the A.N.A. Club, made their first official appearance in that capacity when they attended the dance for the earlier part of the evening. They were met at the door and escorted to the dais by the official hostesses, Mesdames H. F. O’Leary, T. M. Wilkes and E. Puttick. Mr. F. E. Bailey, president of the A.N.A. Club, welcomed the new patron and patroness, and commented on their fervent interest in all patriotic causes. Mr. Hislop congratulated the A.N A. Club on its fine efforts, which had as a grand result the successful carnival dance. He could see the men were enjoying themselves at this ball, which was their farewell social occasion in Wellington, and he hoped to welcome them all back to the capital city from overseas at some not too distant date. To the citizens present Mr. Hislop expressed the hope that they would make it their duty to see that when the Second Echelon sailed, reinforcements were kept up to strength. The crowd sang musical honours for the guests, and rousing cheers were given when the official party responded by singing “For They are Jolly Good Fellows” in honour of the men. Camaraderie was the spirit of the night, and Mrs. A. McNaughton (Miss Phyllis Bates), who was in charge of 1 the programme, kept 'the dance going with a swing from her point of vantage behind the microphone. Mrs. McNaughton z wore a black net frock studded with sequins and an effective shoulder spray of white waterlily buds. An orchestra of ten played lively music, and several of the guests provided impromptu. vocal accompaniments. Miss N. Thompson, of the Physical Welfare Department, played the extra music. Maori Action Song. The men of the Maori Battalion training as n.c.o.’s and officers .at