R.S.A. BALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 September 1921, Page 5

R.S.A. BALL.

A BRILLIANT FUNCTION.

LARGE ATTENDANCE. There was a brilliant gathering at the Coronation Hall, New Plymouth, last night, the occasion being the Returned Soldiers’ Association, fourth annual plain and fancy-dress ball. The hall bore the appearance of a reconstructed fairyland, and the erstwhile bare walls were tastefully and effectively hidden amid a decorative scheme. Nikau ferns formed the background, with other greenery; interwoven. This was relieved by a gay display of bunting. Suspended from the centre of the hall was a huge emblematic 1914 star, set off by a variegated spangle of leaves, which the excellent lighting arrangements showed off to splendid advantage, the whole effect being softened by strings of Chinese lanterns. The scene as the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) and Mrs. Mac Diarmid and Captain MacDiarmid and Mrs. C. H. Weston led the grand march was an animated one, being further enhanced, by the large number who appeared in fancy costume There were about 350 couples present. THE PRIZE LIST. The number of competitors for the prizes for fancy dresses showed some effective original and burlesque designs, although numerically they were apparently not as great as last year. The judges were Mes4ames E. A. Walker, C. H. Weston, A. M. Mac Diarmid. and Messrs. M. Bradbury and R. Mcßae. The following is the list of awards, Mrs. C. H. Burgess presenting the prizes:—

Original (ladies). —Miss G. Roper (cobweb) 1, Miss N. Roper (ragtime) 2. Men: Mr. Edwards, Waitara (flooded tenor) 1. Best fancy.—Ladies: Miss D. Roper (billiards) 1, ' Miss Wallach (harem lady) 2. Men: Mr. B. Harvey (nigger) 1.

National.—Ladies: Miss Whittaker (League of Nations) 1, Miss Thompson (harem lady) 2. Men: Indian Chief (Miss Patterson) 1.

Best of all (silver jewel casket valued at £3 3s). —Miss G. Roper (cobweb).

Others in fancy-dress included: Mrs. Brown (Gipsy), Miss Hawke (night), Miss C. Eva (Weldon’s Fashions), Mrs. F. King (squaw), Miss Bridgman (harem lady), Miss Bullot (harem lady), Miss G. Eva (Japanese), Miss Horgus (pierette), Miss Thompson (butterfly), Miss Bennoch (justice), Mrs. Stevens (baggy breeches), Miss E. Mace (fashion book), Miss Luxton (Egyptian lady), Miss Worri (folly), Miss Wallach (Turkish lady), Miss Bowers (pierette), Mr. T. King (pierrot-), arid Mr. J. Thomas (Indian). THE MANAGEMENT. The supper room was very tastefully arranged, the neat appearance of the annexe reflecting the hard work of the ladies’ committee. The table? were attractively garlanded, and laden with heaps of good things. The fact that the A. and P. Society have recently acquired new trestles and. seating accommodation was a great help, and enabled the ladies, under the presidency of Mrs. Burgess, to make matters in this department more complete than on any previous occasion. Provision was made for 300 people at one sitting. The personnel of the committee was: Mesdames C. H. Burgess, F. E. Wilson, R. Cock, T. C. List, G. Neal, S. Burgess, Nichol, Anderson, Williams, Austin. Hill, Scanlan, Perry. Alleman. Ewing, McDiarmid, R. Standish and Miss Sole. The committee specially acknowledge the help given in the kitchen by the Misses McKenzie, Drury, and Brenmuhl. Waiting on the tables was carried out by twelve young ladies.

The men’s committee, under the chairmanship of Mr. G. E. Roper, consisted of Messrs. A. Roberts, W. Jenkins, E. Jury, S. Higgs, A. Hooker, J. Barry, W. Roch, E. Andrews, J. Kinnear, R. Bennett, T. Hopkins, A. Mackinder, J. Walsh, L. Andrews, H. Davis and Sergeant-Major Bell. The decorations were done under the supervision of Mr. R. Bennoch, the lighting arrangements were done by Mr. S. Higgs, and Messrs. A. Roberts and J. Jenkins were responsible for the floor. Mrs. Woods’ orchestra supplied an excellent programme of music. The M.C.’s were Colonel Home, Captain McDiarmid, Messrs. A. Roberts, W. Jenkins, G. Goldsworthy, W. Hughes, C. Scrivener, J. Barry and W. Roch. A soft drinks stall was run under the management of Messrs. S. Oliver, P. Walsh and C. Saddler.

The children’s will be held to-night, the grand march commencing at 7.30, and all arrangements are in hand for making the evening a bright one for the young folk.