Taumarunui Ball

Te Ao Hou, March 1969, Page 46

Taumarunui Ball The Secretary for Maori and Island Affairs, Mr J. M. McEwen and Mrs McEwen, received the debutantes at the Taumarunui Anglican Maori Mission's debutante ball at the Taumarunui War Memorial Hall last November 30. A large crowd attended to make it both a social and financial success. Of the 30 charming young debutantes, 11 were Maori girls and the rest European. Maori people of all religions helped with the organisation of the ball. The official party was the chairman of the Taumarunui Anglican Maori Mission committee, Mr D. J. Koni and Mrs Koni, Mr and Mrs McEwen, the Mayor and Mayoress of Taumarunui, Mr and Mrs L. A. Byars, and Canon and Mrs Wi Huata. The hall was transformed by tasteful decoration conforming to a Swan Lake theme. A feature was the stage decorations, inspired by Mr A. Taiaroa. In accordance with the theme, girls of a Taumarunui dancing school performed excerpts from the ballet ‘Swan Lake’, during the evening. Compere for the evening was the manager of Radio Station 1ZU, Mr Laurence Borck, whose wife was debutante mistress. The Speaker of the House of Representatives and M.P. for Waimarino, Mr R. E. Jack, attended the ball after earlier honouring an engagement at Turangi. The gourmet supper was prepared under the direction of Mrs Babs Rauhina.