CHILDREN'S FANCY DRESS PARTY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 247, 6 July 1918, Page 5

CHILDREN'S FANCY DRESS PARTY

CHARMING SCENE IN THE TOWN HALL. The Town Hall presented a very pretty siyht last cveniii", wlien Hie childreirs laiicy tlresi party organise.l liy a committee of Navy Liayiie inemucrs was held for the benefit of the lease's fund for palriotie piirnosi's. A gcud many children were present, and as most I'f lliem were in i'uiiey dress, liinv was no lack of vivid colouring ami manv t|iiaint effects, some of Ihe dres.-cs bvin;,' extremely eiiarmim; and well tlicyht out. The hail itself had been prettily decorated, the stage bsiiiy n,a>se(i witii wreaths and clumps of artificial clematis, the general cll'ect being very soft ami deiicate, while round the sidts i,t the chain-' ber were numbeis of Hags. The>e docerations were the work of the 3J.1.C. Underneath the (jallery at the fori her end was the supper room, of which the Mayoress's Entertainment Committee were in charge, under the direction of Mrs. Moorhouse. This_also had been prettily decorated, a trellis work dividing it from the main portion of the lrjll. The grand march of the children commenced the evening's amusement, and incidentally it seemed to be enjoyed as much as any part of the entertainment. Host original, and . yet quite simply rarried out, wevn several of the dresses, but probibiy Ihe most admired of all was that worn by a small child about, two or three years of age, who was in a bathing sui'. end carried a surfing board. A chubby little soul, and utterly unconcerned, she sk-ollcd about as the fancy seized her, and at .nee became exceedingly popular, for a wrap she later on wore a bathing towel, and ivith her little bathing cap and short costume was quite irresistible. The lied Triangle (V.M.C.A.), (he Soldiers' Christmas Plum i'udling, Kagame, a little pair of London waifs, an Au.luiiin Leaf, fairies, moths, the Navy league, Good Luck, Night, peasants of every cuunlry, gipsies, jesters, and Colli?s were among the representations that were to be seen. Quite original was a representation of the copper trail, a map i.f the North Island with Ihe now famous dividing line across the middle being inscribed upon the dress. Among the poslors were IhoPetono Woollen Mills, which was very effectively carried out, the New Zealand limbo I'indusli'y (a small child whose dress and peaked hat were cuvercd with a, multitude'of shavings), and New Zealand produce (.cheese and butter), also well carried out. Original also was the representation of a. strawberry, a child dressed in scarlet with a hat covered with "red, ripe strawberries." A charming group was that arranged by .Miss haun(fers, "Witches and a Eairy," the little witches wearing short black frocks, decorated with led cats, also their peaked high hats. Being New Zealand witches, they carried broomsticks to which were tied little clumps of manuka. A clever representation was that of "The ']..ost Letter," and very effective was a pair of scarlet and black jesters.

Following the grand march were some ballets, one, "Day and Night," being arranged by Aliss Saunders, and taken part in by her punils, icme'of whom were dressed in white frocks, and the remaining half in black, the latter making a very piquant contrast to the youth of the little wearers. Another ballet, "Scenes Pittoresques," was arranged by Miss Canvell Cooke and performed by some of her pupils, and following was a ballet, "Les Alyosotis," in which Miss Gladys Campbell's pupils took part. All three met with much appreciation. The judging for the prizes (Mrs. Robieson and Aliss D. K. Richmond being the judges) was as follows:—The most original (the surf bather), Dorothy Gibbs; most original pair (tho London newspaper boy and tho London (lower girl), Ragnhifde and Rhona Mee; the best comic dress, Wyborn Gibbs; tho prettiest boy's dress (jester), Eileen Clapham; the best group (Fairy and Witches), Aliss Saunders; prettiest girl's dress, AJollie Hume; original and inexpensive ("Evening Post"), Nancy Cook; special prize (Early Victorian Girl), Daisy Smith. Airs. Hall-Thompson, president of the Navy League Ladies' Auxiliary, presented the prizes.

A novel feature in regard to the last prize-winner was the fact that her crinoline frock and poke bonnet were. trimmed with sugar flowers made by Air. How. Sin also carried a basket filled with these flowers, and not only did she seli them amongst those present at tho dance, but permission was given to visit the Concert Chamber, in which tho Pierrots were giving their entertainment, and sell them there for the benefit ot the Navy League funds. The little "London Waif" also added to the funds by performing numbers of hand-springs, which brought down from the people in the gallery showers of coppers and small coins.

A stall, of which Mrs. Phillips Turner was in charge, also assisted the cause. In addition to Mr. Phillips Turner's own contributions of sweets, generous contributions were made by Miss Una Carter and Mrs. I'hipson. Mrs. ilurlou assisted Mrs. Phillips Turner to sell the sweets. Excellent music for dancing was supplied by Mr. Williams's orchestra. The committee in charge of the floor arrangements consisted of Mrs. J. lli'.niiah, Mrs. C. Richardson, Colonel Hughes, Mr. Darroth, Mr. von H'aast, and Mr. foster. The general emi.mitlee .responsible for the dance was as follows: Mrs. Jlassey, Mrs. von liaasl: (convener), Airs. HallThompson. Mrs. firth, Mrs. Richardson, Airs C. farie, Airs. .Hannah, Mrs. F. 31. 11. fisher, Airs. Toogood, Mrs. Chatlield, Mi-.. l','.i\ixm, Mrs. A. Myers, Airs. Malhcw Holmes. Aliss Alice Montgomery was the lion, secretary: The .Mayor and several members of the Navy League were among those present.