NATIVES’ ASSOCIATION BALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 167, 26 July 1901, Page 3

NATIVES’ ASSOCIATION BALL.

A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING.

Tiie Theatre Royal was the scene of a most atttractive gathoring last evening on tho occasion of the plain and fancy . dress ball, given under the auspices of , tho New Zealand Natives' Association. There was a largo and representative attendance, and everything was in keeping to insure the complete success of the function. Seldom has tho hall been so prettily decorated as it was last evening, and the Committee have good reason to be satistied with tho result of their efforts, ' Tho stage was artistically arranged after tho manner of a drawing-room, whilst quantities of native foliage afforded a pleasing contrast to the lines of bunting and flags which ran along the walls. Numbers of mirrors were hung at intervals, and served to enhance the general effect. As one entered the hall one’s eye fell on tho inscription over the stage, “The Native Born Extend to You a Hearty Welcome, 1 ' the words being most artistically painted, whilst tho pretty fern emblem of the Association was prominently displayed. Altogether, the decorations wore exceedingly well carried out, and reflected great Credit hpon the committee. The floor was jh splendid order for dancing, and tho music was excellent, the committee having secured the services of several of our best musicians. Mrs Fernandez presided at tho piano during the evening, Mr A. J. Massey being first- violin, Mr J. H. Ormond second violin, Mr C. Adair bass, and a first-class selection of dance music was provided. There were upwards of 125 couples present, the majority of whom wero in evening dress, although a number of exceedingly pretty fancy costumes were to be seen. The scene in tho hall whilst dancing was proceeding was a most brilliant one, and spectators had a very hard task allotted them to fix on the belle, the general conclusion arrived at being thqt where'all looked so nice it would bo invidious to single out anyone in particular. The following gentlemen formed the general committee : Messrs T. Hood, W. Webb, J. M. Gumming. A. F. Kennedy, A. Rees, Paltridge, G. Maher,_ F. Maher, A. Townlev, T. Adair, J. A. Lucas, A. Sawyer, G. Beero, W. N. Attwood. They were* most attentive to their duties, doing all in their power to promote the success of the gathering. Messrs A. F. Kennedy, A. W. Rees, J. A. Harding, J. A. Lucas, W. Webb, and A. Sawyer acted as M.C.’s. Special praise is due to Mr J. Cumming, the Secretary of the Association, for the manner in which he worked towards making the ball such an unqualified success., For : weeks pasf he had dovotOd considerable time in attending to the hundred and one matters that required to be looked after, and the great success achieved by fhe Association last evening must have been very pleasing to him. The hall programmes, which were most artictically printed, were the work of Mr H. J. Bushnell, and they were much admired. The ' j programme contained twenty-four dances besides extras, and dancing was kept up j ptil &q early hour this morning.