BALL ON THE HYDASPES.

Auckland Star, Volume IV, Issue 1189, 14 November 1873, Page 3

BALL ON THE HYDASPES.

The magnificent ship Hydaspes was last evening the scene of one of the most pleasing and successful social gatherings ever held in Auckland. Captain and Mrs Babot, who are very popular in Auckland, had issued about three hundred invitations to their friends for a ball to be held on board the ship, which is now lying alongside the wharf. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the night the invitations were responded to by over two hundred guests, including nearly all of our1 leading citizens. Every city carriage ha«l been engaged for the occasion, and the wharf was completely blocked M Ith vehicles ; the busses running to the suburbs were also brought into requisition to convey visitors to the ship. The Hydaspes, as most of our readers no doubt are aware, has a flush deck, the saloon being situated below. The upper deck forms a magnificent promenade, and furnishes an unequalled floor for dancing. An awning had been spread over the after pai b of the deck, the walls of the spacious ball-room thus roofed in being formed of canvas, decorated with flags cf varied colours, flowers in immense profusion, and evergreens. The heavy dowupour of rain, however, rendered it impossible to make use of the upper deck ; but Captain Babot,had anticipated the possibility of this by making due provision below, where a ball-room scarcely inferior to the one above was provided. Here the bunting, hanging in festoons from every beam and bearing the fragrance and freshness of newly plucked flowers, gave the place quite a fairy appearance. The guests, as they arilved, were received by Mrs Babot, who fulfilled the honors of the occasion cordially arid gracefully. The City Band, under the conducborship of Mr Impey, was present, and the ball opened with a quadrille. The dancing was heartily engaged in by all the guests, and was kept up with spirit until the clock tolled the hour of midnight, when the sat down to an excellent supper spread in the saloon of the vessel. The splendid accommodation for passengers in the saloon of this fine ship was shewn by the comfort with which the large party assembled last night was accommodated. The stately proportions of the vessel, which is unquestionaly one of the finest trading to the Southern colonies, were the theme of general comment among the guests. After supper Mr Dargaville proposed " the health of Captain and Mrs Babot, of the splendid ship Hydaspes." In doing so he referred to the fewness of the entertainments of that character that were afforded thepub- . lie of Auckland, and he hoped the good example set by Captain Babot wouldbofollowed by other captains visiting this port. He spoke in very high terms of the reception the guests had received that night, and alluded to the splendid accommodation afforded by the ship, which waß beyond question, the finest that had entered our harbour for many months. The toast was drunk amidst loud cheering.—Captain Babot responded in a few well-chosen words. He expressed the pleasure it gave him at seeing so many friends gathered on board his ship. He was sure if other captains knew how heartily they would be met by the citizens 0; Auckland there would be no cause to complain of the lack of such gatherings. He hoped other captains would keep up the reputation of sailor hospitality and love of good company. He would not detain them with a J lg speech, but hoped all would enjoy I ■ynselves ; and he- could assure them that pleasure afforded had not all been on one ' J?xt was participated in by himself and ■"" ''//'dap and he trusted they would accept v^T sincere thanks for the honor they had accoiiied him. (Loud cheers.) Dancing was resumed and kept up to an early hour, when the guesta dispersed) wearied with the

! earnestness of their pleasure-making. The | wholp of the arrangements, ineludmgthecook- : IDg OX thepastry and the decoration of the ship, ; were carried out by the ship's company with- ! out any outside assistance. Mr Robb, the | purser, under whose direction the ontei fcain- ; meat was provided for, deserves to be con- ( gratulated on the result, which reflects great I credit on the resources of the Hydaspes as a passenger vessel.