Frocks were especially lovely this year at the brilliant Caledonian Ball held last night, the full skirts of the predominating Victorian influence giving unrivalled opportunity for the display of magnificence or daintiness of fabric. Giving place aux debutantes, 1938's Scottish buds who made their formal curtsies to Shanghai in general and the President of St Andrew's Society and his Lady in particular on this latest St. Andrew's night were kirtled as follows:
Miss Joan Mackenzie wore white velvet with puff sleeves and a full skirt, silver shoes and a wreath of daisies in her hair. Ribbons of the Mackenzie tartan, held in place by the Mackenzie crest, fell from her left shoulder. Miss Jean Findlay Huchinson's McLeod tartan sash was worn over a white net frock of which the hooped skirt trimmed with Gobelin embroidery. Silver shoes completed her toilette and as ornament she wore a pearl necklace and brooch. Miss Bessie Stead was in a high-waisted frock of white georgette with accordion-pleated. bodice and full skirt sparkling with diamenté. crossed broad swords, and halberds, but behind the President's table hung a large St. Andrew's flag with a} shield bearing the President's crest suspended in the centre. Tables were adorned white cloths and blue and white table centres with white flowers and heather as table decorations.
The Ball Sub-Committees were as tollo Invitations;—Mr. Rod.
G. MacDonald, (Convener) Messrs. Jes Macbeth, N. C. Macgregor and swick. Reception;—Brig.-Goi Macnaghten, (Convener) Messrs. Rod. G. MacDonald, Macgregor, H. Keswick, and H. Ranald McDonald, Jas. Macbeth, N. C. Martin. Procelsion;—Mr. C. B. Blaikie, (Convener) Messrs. T. Hutchison, A. Y. Tait, R. M. Currie and T. W, R. Wisen: Dence and Band:—Mr. A: Y. Tait, (Convener) Dr. H, Couper Patrick, Messrs, Jas. Macbeth, R. M. Currie and W. P. Marshall E. McLaren: Decoration;—Mr. D. Watt, (Convener) Messrs. (co-opted): (Convener), J. D. Watt and R. M. Currie: Mr. Win. Lyle, (Convener) R. Cleland, T. Hutchison, J. M. Keswi and H. Martin. VARI
Joan Stewart Menzies Ogilvie was dressed in ivory Chantilly lace, with off-the-shoulder puffed sleeves and three-tiered skirt. Her headdress was a gold leaf halo, and her shoes and bag were of gold. Miss Audrey Bristers white satin Victorian frock was made with the neckline of the period, tight waist and very full skirt, the neckline and hem being edged with small frills of the satin. Two pale pink velvet roses were worn on the bodice and a rose in her hair, while she carried a big ostrich feather fan in two shades of coral. Her shoes were silver and she wore a double necklace of pearls.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.