FIRE BRIGADE PLAIN AND FANCY DRESS BALL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 285, 13 August 1910, Page 2

FIRE BRIGADE PLAIN AND FANCY DRESS BALL.

A Great Success

For some time past the residents of Te Kuiti have been anxiously looking forward to the above ball, which duly eventuated in the Town Hall on Thursday night. To say that success attended the efforts of the Brigade and willing assistants would be speaking very mildly indeed, for fully eighty couples attended, coming from all round the district, visitors being present from Pio Pio, Ongarue, Paemako, and other adjacent suburbs. The scene was one of great animation as the floor was occupied by the lighthearted exponents of the Terpsichorean art tripping to the strains of seductive music dispensed by Messrs J. Hetet's and J. Saunders' orchestra. These gentlemen were complimented on all sides for the masterly manner in which they catered for the dance on this, as on previous occasions. The floor was in perfect trim, adding greatly to the enjoyment of those present, all fairly revelling in the invigorating winter evening pastime. There must have been a sigh of relief emanate from the •hearts of many of the fair persuasion as they adjusted the last hook or ribbon to the costume of the character which they represented, for it must entail a deal of worry and anxiety to them to decide on and make ready what "to go to the ball in," and how to outdo some other character which they know "so-and-so" is representing. Very keen is the friendly rivalry engendered in a fancy dress ball. And it must be said to their credit, that without the ladies in fancy costume the ball would not "be half so fair," because the men folk seem to consider that it is an encroachment on their valuable time to be bothered bedecking themselves in "borrowed plumes." Be that as it may, the numerous fancy costumes of the ladies, and those few gentlemen who "dressed for the occasion," lent much life and tone to Thursday night's function, and they are to be congratulated on the characters chosen. Besides those in fancy costume, evening dresses were much in evidence, and the members of the brigade must have experienced keen delight as they witnessed the intricate movements of the Grand March being successfully gone through, for it was indeed a very gay spectacle. There was also a large number of onlookers who thoroughly enjoyed watching the scene of gaiety from the stage, one and all having attended fully determined to "away with dull care for the nonce," and right merrily did they carry out their resolutions. It does one good to attend such dances as these, as it broadens the mind and intellect considerably, because you are thrown into contact with with most of the nationalities of the world, and many notables, long since dead, are resurrected for the occasion. For instance we will enumerate a few of those present. You stand amazed, and gaze with wonder as you espy advancing towards you, the famous notorious highwayman, Dick Turpin, clothed as in life, and you wonder on what mission he is bent. Fear is short-lived, because he was never known to molest a poor person; but still, while gazing on him your mind's eye can see his favourite steed and co-partner in his hair-brained escapades, the faithful Black Bess, outside handy, anxiously awaiting his return to bear him safey to his favourite hiding places. For the time fears are banished, more especially as in an opposite corner you see the jolly, rollicking "Jester," and a few moments' recreation is enjoyed. But the scene again becomes uncanny, especially should you be a Royalist, for none other than that famous Parliamentarian and dreaded round-head, Oliver Cromwell, is seen approaching, clad in all his warpaint, and apparently in no mood for a friendly embrace. Nevertheless, fears are put behind you, and you feel nearer home as the old familiar figure, the organ grinder (all the way from Te Awamutu) confronts you, plying his precarious calling, soliciting alms, and the while your finer feelings are roused, as the strains from his marvellous "orchestra," all in one instrument, doesn't fail to touch a chord long sleeping, and which was thought to be dead. None but the poor know how the puor suffer, so you kindly pass a coin, and respectfully ask him to pass on to the next street, as too much " Mgh class 'armony" is not good for one. Again the scene changes with lightning rapidity, and the ever-green Shamrock is seen gliding gracefully towards you. Memories of th& d«ar old sod crowd in in innuineraljTe shapes, and a .gutteral sob is swallowed with difficulty as vour mind wanders back to the days of childhood and the dear "Ould Emerald Isle," but the strains of "Just because you were an old Sweetheart of Mine," set to three-four "time, arc too much and before yoq know where you are you are gliding round the room, with no thoughts but for the present. One is not allowed to think long of oneself because, as you escort your partner to the rear of the stage, where one of the daintiest suppers yet laid out in Te Kuiti is partaken of, you see "Mother Hubbard," as in life, with the old crook stick and glasses, doing ample justice to a dainty trifle and a glass of sparkling liquor. The old nursery rhyme is silently repeated by more than one, and when it comes to that part where the "poor dog got none," you exclaim, it is a hard world indeed." To those who were bent on improving the shining hour and keeping "abreast of the times," the "King Country Chronicle" was there, showing in bold letters that it is the best advertising medium in the King Country ami surrounding districts, as well as the cheapest penny-worth to the couiury us a news mecjium. When this bright and neat interpretation glides past you again and again, showing that it has come to stay, all care aril trials are dispelled, knowing (hat <here is an agency in our midst that will light our battles, and it is no wonder that the fears and forbqdings. which in the earlier part of the even; ing confronted us, are totally obliterated and the evening's fun and rccroalioij is continued, with renewed, vigour, and only the lighter vein qf life has a place. But there were many other splendid characters represented, women suffrage getting a great lift as

the "Female Brigadesman" was awarded the prize as the moßt original lady's costume. Taken on the whole the ball was the most successful, socially and financially, held in Te Kuiti for some time, and the committee are to be heartily congratulated on their efforts, likewise the public who rolled up in large numbers, to support such a laudable object as "the man with the ladder and the hose."

Most pleasing extras were played by Miss Stewart, and Messrs D. Hetet and J. M. Nicolson.

At a suitable interval his Worship the Mayor (Mr James Boddie) made a short speech and presented the prizes to the successful competitors in the waltzing competition and for the most original lady's and gent'B costume, the former going ( to Miss Stewart and Mr D. Hetet, and the two latter to Mrs McMullan and Mr L. V. Morgan respectively. The contests were decided by popular vote, the results naturally evoking much applause.

Messrs J. Rutherford and D. J. Young discharged the onerous duties of M.C's. in a very creditable manner, seeing that no one lacked partners through any fault of theirs. The ball commit-:ee was—Crs King, Young, Hetet, Somerville, Captain Ford, Firemen Erikson, Fitzmaurice, and Rutherford, with Mr Jas. Nicolson as an efficient secretary. The following are some of the characters represented: Mrs McMullan, Fire Brigade; Mrs Thompson, Gipsy Queen; Miss Ellison, Shamrock; Miss Cole, "King Country Chronicle"; Miss Stewart, Mother Hubbard; Miss Hodgson, Neapolitan; Miss Morgan, Topsy.; Miss Martin, Jester; Miss H. Martin, Scotch Lassie; Miss E. Langmuir, Red, White and Blue; Mr L. V. Morgan, Organ Grinder; Mr McMullan, Stockman; Mr H. Ellison, Dick Turpin; Mr J. Rutherford, Oliver Cromwell; Mr E. Lever, • Baker; Mr Bryant, Tennis; Mr McKearney, Black and White; Mr W. McNaught, Night and Day; Mr F. Keeley, Lieutenant; Mr W. Wilson, Jack Tar.