MILITARY AND FANCY DRESS BALL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1915, 10 August 1888, Page 2

MILITARY AND FANCY DRESS BALL

Tbe annual Military and Fanoy Dress Ball given by tha Ashburton Rifles was held last evening m the Oddfellows' Hall. The elements warred against its Buooess from an attendance point of view, and only those put m an appearance who had made preparations to be there. The absence of a large number of spectators to fi'l the gallery was therefore felt very much. The Hall was very artistically and characteristically festooned with flags, while sword bayonot devices and rifles adorned the walls. Evergreens were hera and there used with effeot, while over the main entrance to the Hall was suspended tha framed picture of Her Majesty the Queen m her royal Jubilee robes. The stage waa , divided by a forest scene, and while the front was used as a point of vantage for spectators to watch tha everchanging Bcene on the floor, behind a sumptuous supper was spread. Mr Davis was the oaterer for the creature comforts, and the table as laid out by Mr Donovan was a piotura of display and detail. Tbe music] was m the hands of Mr Fleming, from Ohristohurch, and it is quitfl safe to Bay that this m itself ■was delightful to the danoeri.

Soon after eight o'clook the ball opened, and the floor was soon a gay and animated scene. The bright scarlet of the Volunteer uniforms, mingled with oharaoter and evening dress m startling contrast. The quiet nndres3 uniforms of the officers of the Guards, who were present by invitation, made the effect even more sinking, while a solitary Hussar, of imposing mien, added something towards making the contrast more decided. An American Indian m his war paint and feathers, with a predisposition to " whoop " on the slightest; oocasion, waß readily noticed* while the inevitable clown and "nigga" gentleman were not absent. A lawyer m gown and wig coquetted with a gipßy or ft Josephine, and the Bed Indian was equally at home among sweet girl graduates," Swill peasants, or French vivandier. , Operatic charaotera seemed to be esohewed both by ladies and gentlemen, with the exception of Josephine m Pinafore, and from the drama only the Prince of Denmark favored the company with a reappearance from tha tombs of his ancestors. Hamlet was well impersonated; the spectators generally thought bo, and the personator was conscious of it. Several of the ladies' costumes war* m excellent taste and on the whole pretty, but there were none either original of striking. Fully fifty couples took part m tha opening polka, and some couples joined tha lively throng later on. As they go whirling round, everyone pleased, happy, and contented-loosing, one or mors, couples oatoh the eye, but taking the danoorsst'YandvSt. the following are the oharaoters :— Major Douglas m uniform. Mrs Douglai m dark dress.

Mr Peter Williams— Jaok Tar, tht character to perfeotion.

Mrs Peter Williams — Baohelor of Arts, Cambridge, always an effective costume when worn by a lady graduate.

Mr R. B. Restell— Devonshire waggoner« regulation smock, whip and gaiters* Mrs Restell— ltalian street singer. Mr W. Simmß— Sir Walter Raleigh. Miss Roberts— Breton peasant, pink body and skirt with dark trimming. Miss Manning—" Our Navy "—a representation of naval ensigns, cordage, etc, to match An blaok ground.

MisßElston — Red Cross nurse. Miss A. E. Elsfcon— harvest. Mr 0. Moss— Footman, Mr H. Moss— Marine. - Miss Moss— Frenoh Tivendiere, fed shirt, blue body, [gold braid.

Herbert Gifford Moore and Douglas Gifford Moore— The Duke of Maokakyaok and his little Brother Bill out for a ride.

Miss Shury— Dark evening dress. Miss Oraig— Josephine m Pinafore, nary blue skirt, trimmed with white braid, pala blue sash, life buoy, straw sailor hat to match, a neat fitting costume suited to the wearer.

Miss Polbill— Gipsy ; red and blaok striped skirt, blaok bodice, fortune telling cards, and tambourine, a mass of long hair, black as the Spirit of Night falling loosely and carelessly over the shoulders.and face of the Gipsy maid completed the toilet of one of the best sue* tamed characters m the hall.

Miss Davis— French Vivandier, trioolor stripe satin skirt, pale blue, satin bodice,, white saah, silver trimming, grey trimmed, ehapeau. Oa the whole a most elaborate* costume, ■:"' : Mißa Barr — Ambulanoa nurse, black dressy white apron with red cross, white cap off with red.

Miss PUbrow— " Snow. w Gown of white net, low at shoulders, oovered with wbitd swan'sdown ; airy and graceful. Miss A. Pilbrow— " Spring." Pale 'green skirt, trimmed with leaves. Miss Sinclair— "Harvest." Bed and goto dress, trimmed with poppies and wheatears*. Mrs Curtis— ltalian lady* Miss Boyle— Gipsy. : Mrs Seoretan— -Scarlet evening dress, fan to matoh. Mr Wroughton— Evening dress. Lieut Paul— Undress uniform. Mr Bissett — Evening dress. Mrs Bissett — Dark oostume. Mr Field— Barrister. , Mr F. Field— Football costume. J Lieut Muller— Dress uniform. Mr Glasson— Hamlet. Mr Qliver— Gourtier m OeotM ihe Third* reign.

Mr E . Simpson— Court dress m "Rob Roy." Mr Grubb— Olown. / Me Baai— " Jeames," a footman. - ■ Mr Soott— Hussar. ... Mr Weston— Evening dress. Mr Clark — Midshipman. Private Salek— Rifles uniform. Mr Cartiß— Rifles uniform. Mr Jameson— Red Indian. Mr Harrison Davis— Evening drew. Adjutant Fooks— Dress uniform. Captain Dolman— Disguised. Lieut. Fooks — Dress uniform. : Lieut. Cuthhertson— Guards undress uniform. Sergeant-Major Hayes— Dross uniform, Mr Johns— Athlete. . : Mr Baker— " Darkie." Mr Guinness— Evening dreßS. Miss Hayea— White dress, trimmed with blue. Mr J. MttUer— Riflaa uniform. Miss Wilkie—" Dawn." A pretty pink *nd white dress* , .'- . -■< t .^ Miss A. Clark— Sailor oostume. Misa G. Clark— "Oeoilia." Mrs J. Fooks— Pink drefls. Miss Muller — Swiss peasant girl* Mrs McKay— Dark dress. Mra Pattman — liight-ooloured dresa Miss McDonald— Blue dress. Private Bennetts— Rifles uniform. Mr Fooka— Footballer. Mr Soott— Masaniello. Mr Matthews— •• Hans, the Boatman./ A wonderfully [close aopy of Mr Arnold's impersonation. There were a number of other costumes which filled m an extensive and elaborate bill. Danoing was the amusement of this hour, and there was comfort m having a sufficiency of room to get the greatest amount of pleasure and fasoination out of the worship of Terpsiohore. With the obime of midnight concluded the first part of the ball programme,, and then the soene was shifted to the supper room where the caterers with an effioient staff attended to the wanta of the guests. After supper the floor was again betaken to, and until four o'clock no diminution was. visible m the mirth and gaiety of the ball. With pleasant reaolleotions of a successful ball m their minds the assembly dispersed ia hopes to meet again next year, when with better weather there might be more comfort m home-going.