Mainly for Women

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 25, 22 October 1937, Page 12

Mainly for Women

BR1LLIANT BALL AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE Thirty-two debutantes wero presented to their Excellencies the GovernorGeneral and. Viscountess Galway at a ball held at Government Hou«e last night. This ball, which is always looked upon by the young people as the main social event of the season, was a brilliant affair and from the time the presentations were due to take place, several hundred motor-cars drove up tha vividly-illuminated drive to allow their passengers to alight at the main foyer and ptoceed to the ballroom. Particularly noticeable was the beautifui frockiug of the women present, for seldom before has fashion provided. 60 many alluring and gloriously toned materials for night wear. The ballroom with its vivid lighting showed up these lovely materials to the fullest advantage, ahd the frocks stood o"at boldly against the many striking uniforms worn by members of His Majesty's servicea and the coaventional black and white of tae men's evening suits. While dancing was in progress last night, the scene was truly beautifui and gave ono the impression of a whirling kaleidoscope with considerably more combinations of colours than is customary in these fascinating toy?, Aa is ueual, the floral decorations were much admired, the ballroom, the drawing-room (where the debutantes were presented), the main hall, the billiard and dining-rooms, and the large alcove facing the maia stairway aua the various sitting-out rooms resembling bowers of flowers. Bright-hued cinoraria, amaryllis with their vivid colourings, purple iris, arum lilies, the everpopular and effective island ■ poppies, white, pl :lt and gold broom, and pots of azaleas in all their lovely toningo, sehizanthus and giant asparagus fera all combined to add to the general beauty of the surroundings. In the coaservatory, which was a popular rendezvous between dances, the dark palms made an admirable sotting for. the moro brilliant cinerarias, azaleas and tropical plants^ whilo - in the drawing-room an array of the most exquisite blooms was arranged with truo artietry. Supper was sorved, bulfet fashion, in the billiard-room, the large entranco hall and the dining-room, where liveried attendants waited on the guests throughout the evening. The orchestra, esconced on a dais in the ballroom, was heard in all the latest melodies, its rhythmic swiag flnding great favour with the dancera. The debutantes were presented to their Excellencies in the drawing-room and announced by Major Purvis, who was assisted by the honorary aide-de-camps. Standing behind their Excellencies were Mrs. I. T. Standish and Mrs. T. M. Wilkes, and members of the honse party — Mr. and Mrs. Maurice McFarlane, Miss Phillipa Riddiford, Miss Diana Elworthy, Mr. H. Wilson and Mr. B, R. Wardell. Mrs. Arthur Purvis was with their Excellencies' three daughters, the Hcn. Mary, the Hon. Celia and the Hon. Isabel Monckton. Lady Galway was weafing a train® gown of peach satin sjiot with gola. On one shoulder was a how of the satin liued with gold lame, and she wore a shoulder spray of orchids and lily of the valley. The gewn jvas tinished with a diamond clasp at the waisi and her jewels were a ehaiji of diamonds which matched her diamond coronet. She carried a fan of ostrich plumes to tone with the froct. Mrs. Purvis was in a sheath-fitting frock of heavy magnolia satin. The Hon. Mary Monckton was in ice blue satin with a bertha of gcld lace. The Hon. Celia and the Hon. Isabel Monckton were dressed in pale blue rose-sprigged taffeta. There were considerably more than 500 dancers present from Wellington and various parts of the North and South Islands. The debutantes were: — Miss Nola Hector-Jones, daughter of Mrs. Hector-Jones and the late Mr. Hector-Jones, Hastings, whcv was in a classical frock of magnolia satin. The bodice was tight-fitting and was finished at the neckline and armholes with silyer cording, ending in a how effect in front. ^ The long skirt was trained and a plaxted girdle with silver tassels encircled the waiste. She was presented by Mrs. E. Mason, who was wearing a gown of black triple mariette with cape effect at the shoulders and a dianients ornament completing the heartshai>ed neck-line. Miss Mollie ltiddell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Riddell, Dannevirke, who wore a dainty frock of white pinpoint lace and net scattered with tiny pink rosebuds, She carried a bouquet of pink flowers. Mrs. Riddell, who presented her daughter, was in. a graceful frock of floral granacjs. AJso the Misses Mary Albertson, Margaret Armour, Colieen Bohan, Margery Bridgman, Vivfenne and Joy Collie, Francfs Gardiner, Marion Heenan, Beruice Hogg, Jean Kemp, Marjorie Osborne, Mary Richmond, Joan Shennan, AVanda Smith, Betty Stevens, Mary Stott, Muriel Sutherland, Audrey Tauner, Lola Tingley, Kathleeji Watson, all of Wellington, Bernice Beale, Levin, Cecily Beechey, Marton, Helen Farmer' King Country, Suzanne Izard, Wanganui, Isabel Jury, Carterton, Olive Loashy, Greytown Janet Moore, Nelson, Joyce O'Neiil, Wanganui, Esme Pearson, Qbakuro, Betty Wallace, Wanganui,