“RAGS & TATTERS”

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3279, 23 June 1943, Page 6

“RAGS & TATTERS”

DANCE IN COROMANDEL ENJOYABLE EVENING SOLDIERS’ PARCEL FUND AIDED A most enjoyable and successful dance was held in St. George’s Hail, Coromandel, on Friday night last, organised and run by the staff of the Farmers’ Trading Co., as a “Rags and Tatters Dance” in aid of soldiers’ parcels. Although only four grown-ups and two children went in rags and tatters costume they caused a lot of merriment and were really cleverly got up. Their actions caused shrieks of laughter. There was a good attendance and the dance went with a swing, presenting a happy scene. The music was supplied by Mrs E. M. Lucas, piano, arid Lee Perfect (drums). Extras were played by Miss Lillis, Mrs Stewart and Miss McLellan. Mr George Nicholls also took a turn on the drums and proved himself to be an added attraction to the music. Old-time and modern music was played and proved popular to old and young alike. Mr Eric Gamble acted as M.C. in his usual brisk and breezy fashion. A Monte Carlo waltz was won by Miss Amelia Martin and Mr Keith J. McFetridge. The prizes for the fancy costumes went to Mr and Mrs D. Strongman 1, Mr Anderson and Mrs B. Fisher, 2. Masters Mervyn Gamble and Trevor Turner were the winners of the children’s section.

A lady’s excuse me waltz was a very popular item. During the evening Coromandel’s popular young singer, Miss Jean McLellan, delighted the audience with the songs “Always In My Heart,” and “Starlight Serenade.” Extended applause brought the popular number, “The Rose of San Antone,” one of Jean’s most successful items and which she sings in her own inimitable way to reach the hearts of all. Spontaneous applause greeted her encores. She was accompanied by her sister Miss Janet McLellan. A tasty supper was served by a number of the ladies. Miss June Notman announced that approximately £l2 would be available for local soldiers’ parcels as a result of the evening’s effort. She also read a letter from Trevor Blithe, one of Coromandel’s boys now in the Islands, thanking the people of Coromandel and the staff of the Farmers’ Trading Company for the parcel he had received and saying what a welcome event it was to receive the parcel and how appreciated they were. Dancing continued until 2 a.m.