ROYAL NAVAL VOLUNTEER RESERVE

Evening Star, Issue 22454, 26 September 1936, Page 26

ROYAL NAVAL VOLUNTEER RESERVE

SEVENTH ANNUAL BALL The Town Hall presented a very gay and lively appearance last evening on the occasion of the seventh Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve ball. The hall was filled to capacity. The hall was gaily decorated with four strings of multi-coloured flags, which ascended from the corners of the gallery to form an apex between two huge baskets of roses, from which were suspended clusters of streamers, descending almost to the floor. At the stage end of the hall two lines of Chinese lanterns of all colours came from one of the flower baskets. From the gallery were hung pot plants, interspersed with bunches of streamers and silhouettes of battleships and sailors. The stage was surmounted by the motto “ Fear God and Honour! the King.” Along its entire length was a huge representation of a battleship, with a background of sea and sky, the ship steaming towards a very realistically arranged model of a lighthouse. Immediately in front of the ship was a tastefully arranged lounge for the officers and guests. Along the edge of the stage was. a frieze of pot plants and greenery, also with flags interspersed. The extreme right was occupied by a huge flag, with a steering wheel surmounted, by a lifebelt bearing the inscription “ Otago Division, R.N.V.R.” The other end of the stage was arranged with a similar lifebelt, above which the Union Jack was suspended. . , The orchestra was in a rotunda in the centre of the hall. The rotunda was draped with flags round the bottom, while the top was in the form of a canopy. Broad blue and yellow ribbons formed the basis of the corner decorations, descending to a peak at the bases. The sides of the canopy were gaily adorned with curled streamers of the same colour.During the evening, two items were presented. The first was a ballet dance performed by nine of Miss_ Connie Potts’s pupils. At its conclusion each dancer was presented by Commander Fraser with a large box of chocolates. Members of the Naval Reserve presented the ‘ Father Neptune ’ ceremony amidst much applause from the company.. Delightful music was supplied by the Savonia Orchestra, and a tasty supper was provided by Mrs Campbell. Mr Ivan Brown was the M.C. The Grand March. The grand_ march commenced at 8.30 p.m. Forming at either side of the hall, the couples circled their respective sides once, then joined forces and marched four-deep past the band. When the top of the hall was reached, waltzing began. Official Party. The official party consisted of Commander Fraser, R.N.V.R., with Mrs Fraser, wearing black-lacquered crepe; Commander Welch (Ret.), R.N.V.R., with Mrs Welch in black French satin crepe ; Lieutenant-commander Connelly, R.N.V.R.; Lieutenant-comman-der Donald, R.N.V.R., with Mrs Donald in black lace; Lieutenant-comman-der ■ Swanson, R.N.V.R., with Mrs Swanson ifl green silk velvet; Lieuten-ant-commander Roberts, R.N.V.R.,, with Mrs Roberts in gold lame; Lieutenant Seelye, R.N.V.R., with Mrs Seelye in magnolia satin; Mr Bristow, with Mrs Bristow in black velvet and gold: Mr Carr, with Mrs Carr in pink angel skin lace with fox fur trimmings ; Lieutenant Bell, R.N.V.R., with Miss Robinson in Marina blue and silver; Sub-lieutenant Allan, R.N.V.R., with Miss Cunningha*! in gold lame and red geranium; Colonel M‘Ara; Lieutenantcolonel Scoular, with Mrs Scoular in blue floral georgette; Captain M. Smith, with Mrs Smith in green cloque; Captain 51. D. Harvey, with Mrs Harvey in floral matalasse; Captain R. S. Orr, with Mrs Orr in black panne velvet; Lieutenant J. L. Napier, with Mrs Napier in black.ring velvet and silver eequins; Paymaster-lieutenant Thomson, with Mrs Thomson in rust treebark crepe and velvet trimmings; Pay-lieutenant Leonard and Mrs Leonard in black; and Mr W. W. Johnstone, with Mrs Johnstone in midnight blue velvet.