THE PALACE SKATING RINK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1851, 26 May 1888, Page 2

THE PALACE SKATING RINK.

That " nothing Eucceeds like sucoesa " was exemplified to the letter, when the Palaoe Elite Roller Skating Company opened their , rink m the Oddfellows' Hall last evening. The assemblage waa a brilliant and dazzling one. The hall waß decorated with a lavißh but artiatio hand. The stage was a perfeot galaxy, and the admirable lighting of the hall shining through the decorations of bunting and evergreenß revealed the faces of representatives of the elite of the town and country, young and old. The floor was perfeot, every seam being filled with Plaster of Paris, and every oare had been taken to make it smooth as the proverbial glass. The arrangements for the reception of a large number of guests were perfect, and reflect the highest credit upon Mr J. 0. Ross, the manager, who, m his place, is facile princcps, was obliging, attentive and übiquitous, while his staff \ of assistants were well ooaohed m their respective departments, and aided their chief materially m the discharge of his onerous duties. Punctually to time Mr Scaly came forward on the stage, and after apologising for the absence of Mr D. Thomas, who had been selected to open the proceedings, m the course of a few remarka deolared the Palace rink open, and Bhortly introduced Professor Arthur Greenwood, who gave an exhibition of fanoy Bkating. His movements were most agile and graceful, and his suooessful performance of the more difficult feats was received with hearty applause, The floor was then thrown open to the public, and skates were given out free of charge. Over a hundred personß, inoluding a substantial sprinkling of ladies, took advantage of the permission granted, and were soon on the floor. There were, of oourse, many amateurs, and the frolics of these were the source of great amusement to the spectators. The rink will be open daily, ,at hours advertised, and we are safe m predicting a most successful season for the promoters. Certainly, if the opening night is any guarantee of its future suooes's, our prediction is safe enough. It mustn ot be forgotten that the Ashburton Brass Band were placed on an improvised gallery, and the musio discoursed was of the best quality, and greatly enlivened the proceedings.