RETURNED SOLDIERS' BALL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 293, 6 September 1919, Page 4

RETURNED SOLDIERS' BALL

A GREAT SUCCESS. Tho returned 6oldiors' ball has sow become one of the much-looked-torsard-to features of the winter's gaieties in Wellington, and last night tiie third annual ball took place in tho Town Halt and was a brilliant success. Thero was a very large attendance of dancers, too many really for the hall, and the excellent arrangements which had been made did much to secure tho success of the evening. The decorations were charm, ing, lightness, softness of colouring, and spaciousness being the keynotes of the whole scheme. The draperies were carrial out in soft tones of blue, pink and yellow, double festoons of the latter colour draping the front of the gallery while underneath and swathing the supporting pillars were draped effects in blue. Above the- gallery railing, high screens of white trellis-work covered with lycopodiuni had been erected at long intervals from which were carried strands of pink drapery the whole way round, the combination of colours being very light and harmonious. At one end of the hall over the stage a squaro canopy festooned and covered with pink drapery had been erected, long 6trands connecting it with that end of the gallery, while the stage had been ba.nked with tree ferns, palms and shrubs, as well as sprays of white blossoms and big bowls of yellow narcissi. It was with the arrangements of the lights that the chief triumph of the decorations lay, as they were altogether charming and unique, consisting of a hugo yellow Japanese shade stencilled with Oriental designs over tho central electrolier, while around it hung a number of similar shades though very much smaller in sizo. White baskets massed with lycopodiuni hung from woodwork projecting over the railing of tho gallery connected with each other bv black ribbon bands. •Supper had been set in the Concert Chamber, the tables having been charmingly arranged with spring flowers. Over tho Stage was hung tho badge of the Returned Soldiers' Association, carried out in red, blue and white, while the stage was banked with. flowers. ' About nine o'clock Their Excellencies the Governor-General and the Countess of Liverpool arrived and woro received by the Mayor, Mr. J. Harper (chairman of the Returned Soldiers' Association), Colonel J. G. Hughes, nnd Mrs. Harper, the latter presenting Her Excellency with a beautiful bouquet of spring flowers. _ No official set was formed on this occasion as Their Excellencies were not able to be present, owing to a previous engagement until some lime after the ball had commenced. A feature of the evening was the march into tho hall of tho Caledonian Pipe Band under PipeMajor Frost (a returned soldier), and tho playing of. a schottische in spirited fashion, for which they were loudly applauded. , The Countess of Liverpool wore a frock of blue channeuso with a draped overdress of floral ninon and tho star And ribbon of Dame of the Order of the British Empire. Among those who were present were the ladies of the committee assisting with the dance, comprising Mrs. J. Harper, who was wearing floral red ninon over silk; Mrs. J. H. M'Ewan, in .stone grey georgette with Oriental embroideries; Mrs. W. E. Boden, in black satin, with sequ'taied overdress; Mrs. Preston, in black charmeuse; Mrs. L. Hyanis, old gold satin, with gold embroideries; Mrs. J. G. Stott, palest blue georgette patterned with palo yellow, the corsage and side panniers of floral brocade; Miss Speed, black charmeuse with touches of white. There were also present Major-General Sir Alfred Robin nnd Miss Robin, the latter wearing black satin with jet embroidered overdress; Brigadier-General Richardson, with Mrs. Richardson, who was also in black with deep waist-belt of floral silk; "Surgeon-General M'Gavin and Mrs., M'Gavin, the latter in black lace over white charmeuse; Mrs. C. Bidwill, black charmeuso nnd ninon; Mrs. C. Brown, black satin and not; Mrs. 11. M. Gore, wine coloured charmeuso veiled with black lace; Miss Baldwin (Palmerston North), maize coloured charmeuso draped with tulle of the same shade; Miss Mnssey. grey ninon banded with pale green ribbon; Miss Bidwill, grey chiffon velvet and ninon; Miss Edwards, black net with deep belt of floral silk; Miss HoUings (Mnste.rtoii), white ninon and silver trimming; Miss Drew (Palmcrston North), maizo satin with overdress of embroidered ninon of tho sr.me shade; Miss Bell, geranium pink ninon over ffild tissue; Miss V. Bell, violet ninon; Miss V. Goi'Oj frilled frock of white ninon; Miss llosliing, black ninon and gold laee draped with black broche; Miss Dorothy Hayes, white embroidered voile with touches of blue; Mrs. Hill, Miss Paulino Brown. Miss Christie, Mrs. Hosking, Mrs. V. Biddiford. Mrs. Millwnrd Mrs. Brisiow, Mrs. 1\ M. B. Fisher. Miss Bidsbury, Miss Millais, Mrs. Batten, Mrs. nnd Miss Dyer, Miss Pogg, Mrs. nnd Miss Moore, Mrs. nnd Miss Miirehbanks, Miss C'oull, Mrs. A. Newton, Miss Stott, Miss Cronin (Napier), 'Miss Mackenzie, Dr. Plntls-Mills, Mrs. Blandfonl, Miss Galbrnith. Miss Wilson, Miss Elsmio Wnrd, Miss Tnrtoii. Miss Mnntell, Miss Doris Coult, Miss Brandon, Mrs. Duthie, Mrs. R. A. Wright, Miss Duthie, Miss Wili'ord, and ninny others, One of the committee rooms had been turned into a card-room for the limbless men if they cared to play with prizes to be_ competed for. The committee responsible for the arrangements of tho t\mvi>. comprised those who have been already mentioned, with Colonel J. G. Hughes. C.M.G., D.5.0.. Messrs. Maxwell, M. J. Ki'.gonr, G, 1\ Wilson, J. D. Harper, H. T. x». Drew, T. Bohlson, A. Curtayne. T. J. Smith, R. J. E. Aldrich (secretary), nnd Mr. D. N. Lawrcnco (treasurer). The D.I.C. carried out tho decorations, M.rs. Oscnr Johnson : provided tho supper, and Cowley's orchestra the music. It is estimated that well over a thousand were present.

J The engagement is announced of Hiss ' Marjory Pricej third daughter of Mrs. : Price, Austin Street, Wellington, and I ■ the late Mr. H. G. Price, lato Commis- ' sioner of Crown Lands. Blenheim, to Mr. Haskell Anderson, the younger son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Anderson, of George's Drive, Napier. i An enjoyable time is anticipated at , the Y/W.C.A. Rooms in Herbert Street to-night, when the usual social evening j ; will be spent. Tlio programme of music .' and games is being arranged by Miss ' Holmes, and the refreshments aro in the '. hands of the ".Magpie" Glub, of which ! Miss Dnlton is convenor. All young wo- • < men and their men friends are cordially . , invited.