1000 Attend St. Bede’s Jubilee Ball

Press, Volume C, Issue 29497, 26 April 1961, Page 2

1000 Attend St. Bede’s Jubilee Ball

A lavish floral decor created in the rich, glowing tones of autumn, cloaked the usually* severe lines of 'the Tea Kiosk, at the Addington Trotting Grounds on Monday evening when 1000 guests attended the bafl for thp St. Bede’s College golden jubilee. Strings of coloured lights illuminated the route into the Trotting Grounds and. after a pre-ball party in the main stand, guests walked to the ballroom through a covered way lined with ornamental shrubs and greenery.

The St. Bede’S College flat dominated the ballroom scene from above the orchestral dais. Banks of miniature maple trees and cyclamen in every shade of pink edged the stage. On either side fanned wall arrangements of flower* made a graceful complement to the scene. Tall delphiniums in light and dark blue were used and massed chrysanthemums in shades of red and bronze-gold made twin focal points above trails of spicy green grape leaves. For the official party, the main alcove had been decked with flowers arranged in tall, standard vases. The russet tones of the pin oak leaves, deep purple and white delphiniums, gilded laurel leaves, bells of Ireland and chrysanthemums of every hue had been artistically placed among leaves of two varieties of native flax and clusters of rowan berries. Other New Zealand flags and one showing the St Bede’s College crest were displayed and hanging arrangements of flowers and leaves were set at frequent intervals round the walls. Another spectacular setting greeted guests when they returned to the main stand foe supper. Here, mirrorbacked vases were filled with cyclamen, eoleus, variegated leaves of ivy and aphelandra Again, pastel shaded flowers were mingled with autumn tints in standing arrangemeats. For the first part of the evening the guests danced to the band of the Ist Canterbury Regiment and later to music by a leading danee orchestra. At 1.30 a m., bowls of steaming chicken soup were served in the alcoves. The frocking of the women guests vied with the decorations for elegance and beauty Heavy satins, often mounted on hooped skirts, were noted Glittering embroidery in beading, lurex and paillette sequins lent special glamour to fabrics. There were wide filmy skirts of tulle and softly draped gowns in chiffon and nylon. Many wethen wore pretty Jewelled ornaments in their hair, either circling chignon styles or clipping curls into bouffant lines. Receiving guests at the preball party were the convener of the ball committee. Mr - B. Prendergast. and Mrs Prendergast Mrs Prender-

gast was wearing a floorlength gown of fuschia French brocade styled on princes* line* with a strapless draped bodice. With it she wore a fur evening wrap. In th* ballroom guest* were welcomed by the chairman of the jubilee committee, Mr L <l. Mahar, hi* cister, Mi** Joan Mahar, and the acting rector of St. Bede’s College, the Rev. L. R. Evatt.

Miss Mahar’s full-length evening gown of peacock blue delustered satin featured shoe-string straps and diagonal draping on the fitting bodice and similar draping on the skirt which was flared towards the hem.

The wife of the president of the St. Bede’s College Old Boys’ Association, Mrs G. F McEvedy, wore a long ball dress of japonica red satin trimmed with a white satin flower cn a floating panel of red satin lined with white. The bodice featured a -wide cummerbund and shoe-string straps.

Specially-invited guests included the following:—The Very Rev. Father John Mannix of the Provincial Society of Mary; the rector of St. Patrick’s College, Silverstream, the Very Rev. Father M. Bourke; Mr J. K. Collins (representing the Christ’s

College Old Boys’ Association) and Mr* Collin*; the president of the Christchurch Boys’ High School Old Boys’ Association, Mr E. C. Munt, and Mrs Murvt; the president of the St. Andrew’s College Old' Boys’ Association, Mr J. W. Rainey, and Mrs Rainey; Mr W. Alnger (representing the St Kevin’s College Old Boys’ Association); the president of the St Patrick’s College Old Boys' Association. Mr J. L. Twohill, and Mr* Twohill; the president of the Xavier College Old Boys’ Association. Mr P. Falconer, and Mr* Falconer; the acting rector of St. Bede’s College, the Rev. L. R. Evatt: the president of the St. Bede’s College Parent-teacher Association, Mr A. Khouri; the president of the St. Bede’s College Old Boys’ Association, Mr G. F. McEvedy, and Mr* McEvedy; the immediate oast-president of the St. Bede’s College Old Boys’ Association, Mr R. E. Dunne, and Mr* Dunne. The ball was organised by the following committee members: —Messrs J. B. Prendergast (convener), A. R Corcoran, John Galvin, M. D. Hodgin*, A F. McDonald, J Tyron. G. Sparrow and M. p. Boland.