News For Women Buffet Dinner For Wives Of Lawyers

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28260, 24 April 1957, Page 2

News For Women Buffet Dinner For Wives Of Lawyers

While delegates to the Dominion legal conference attended the conference dinner last evening, their womenfolk were lavishly entertained by a committee of wives of Christchurch legal practitioners at a buffet dinner held in Beath’s restaurant. Star attraction of the evening was a mannequin parade, organised and compered by Mrs J. D. Carl, assisted by Mrs E. B. E. Taylor, as an after-dinner entertainment. Mrs R. A. Young, wife of the president of the Canterbury District Law Society, received more than 200 guests. Among the guests were Lady Barrowclough, wife of the Chief Justice of New Zealand, Mrs J. R. Marshall, wife of the Attorney-General; Mrs T. P. Cleary, wife of the president of the New Zealand Law Society; Mesdames G. L. Small, K. Small, and J. O’Neill, wives of three Sydney soicitors, who are fraternal delegates to the conference. Lady Barrowclough wore a dinner gown of russet silk with matching jacket and silver fox cape. Mrs Marshall’s long fullskirted gown was of floral taffeta in shades of soft blue and reds, relieved at the low neckline with black. Mrs Cleary’s frock was of deep lilac satin made with a low folded neckline and fully flared skirt. Mrs Young’s ballerinalength frock had a black chantilly lace top mounted on white, and full skirt made in tiers of black and white tulle. The top layer of the skirt was embroidered in black lace medallions. Floral Decorations Magnificent floral decorations, the work of Mesdames K. Scott and W. L. Whittington, were greatly admired by visitors to Christchurch, many of whom said they had not seen their equal at any other function in New landPride of place was given to a huge pedestal bowl of white gladioli, chrysanthemums, anddahlias, backed by green pineapple plant and brushed with trails of snowberries and clematis. Flanked on either side of this show piece, along the west ■wall, were other pedestal bowls of equal beauty, arranged in shades of pink into cherry, golds and yellows and rich reds. The long restaurant servery was banked with potted plants, ferns and trails of autumn leaves, surmounted by tall bowls of flame and gold flowers and red berries. On each comer of the mannequin stage were groups of pot plants artistically arranged in flame and yellow shades. Potted plants and fernery had been lent by the Reserves Department of the Christchurch City Council. An effective surprise came after the main course at dinner when in dimmed lights waiters walked in each carrying a “bombe flambee,” .with blue flame burning on the top of each mound of ice cream. Throughout dinner and during the mannequin parade, Miss Maisie McNair played incidental music. Model Gowns Most of the model gowns shown in the mannequin parade had been imported from leading fashion houses in London and the opportunity of viewing “haute coutoure” so far from the home

of original designing was greatly appreciated by guests. Among the street wear shown was a dramatic black full-length cape, elegant suits in the newest shades of gay green, fiesta pink, knitted sheaths and afternoon frocks for fuller figures. Dresses which could be worn in the late afternoon or for cocktails included some exquisite sheath frocks in aqua, brown and black, with threads glitter woven in the fabric. A black maternity suit with short full jacket, long stovepipe pants and shorts for an alternative brought a touch of humour to the show. Throughout the parade the mannequins wore beautiful mink, blue fox, and grey squirrel stoles or capes with suitable frocks, and some carried mink muffs. One of these did duty as a handbag, too. Evening gowns were anklelength and long, slim-fitting or full-skirted. Vivid red taffeta and midnight blue taffeta shot with pink were used in two of the long models, which had style all their own. In the ankle-length collection was a .dreamy pink net with bouffant skirt and matching lace jacket, just right for a girl at her first ball. The model who wore the lovely creation of black lace and net over pale blue —reminiscent of the Can-Can dancer —caught on to the frivolous mood of her frock and looked as if she might pick up her skirts and kick high at any moment. Parade off Saris Last on the programme was a parade of rich saris of spun gold thread, lent by the High Commissioner for India to New Zealand. One was pink, another was pale gold, and the third had an emerald green top and gold skirt. The mannequins included Mesdames A. L. Haslam, A. C. Perry, H. W. Hunter, M. Loughnan, J. Robertson, J. G. Leggat, Misses Juliet Young, Angela Satterthwaite, and Claire Drury. Mrs Young welcomed visitors and thanked Mrs Carl, her assistants, and the mannequins, and paid special tribute to Mesdames Scott and Whittington for their floral decorations. Mrs Daisy Gledhill, secretary of the New Zealand Law Society, replied on behalf of the visitors.