HONIKIWI.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 537, 29 January 1913, Page 5

HONIKIWI.

The Honikiwi anunal school ball which waa postponed from New Year's night to January 24th, was held in Mr Budden's barn. The wallß were resplendent with lamps and foliage, Mr Budden's woodlands having been divested of their feathery plumes. The floor was large enough for sixteen couples and its smouthness enabled them to tread the light fantastic, instead of doing a floor shuffle on the small floor of the schoolroom, so the Commissioner's offer of the barn was graceful. Folks from far and near —from Taranaki and elsewhere —came to the function. Mr Wallace Budden officiated as master of ceremonies. Messrs Carter Bros, played the music, relieved by Mr W. Eyles and some musical Maoris. The takings amounted to 27s for school prizes. Mr Horsman brought a superior gramaphone and the whirly dancerß found rest for their soles and found that they had souls to be tired in listening to the tunes and themes of great singers and musicians. Madam Melba, who only consents to sing into this class of gramaphone sang well on this occasion a s did also Harry Lauder, who delighted the gathering and gave change from the usual local talent. Though one cannot say they were better than the locals, yet I dare say the variation of style helped our entertainment. With their lovely background of festoons of fronds and palmy panels of green the lines of ladies looked galaxy of bright colours all round the walls, or costumes one dare not hazard a description of, or mention names. Supper was served at midnight, and dancing was kept up until the ladies were becoming exhausted. This was later than is often the case as each feminine partner did not have such 1 a large number of the harder sex to t dance with as is usual in the bachelor infested regions. However, they proved the tender poet to be mistaken again; it is not many "a heart that is aching after the ball," for they only talked about heads and limbs aching. As the guests wearily whacked their steeds homewards to the waiting cows they had a chance to note, and to quote from the tired inspired cow-cockle, "Now sweet the moonlight sleeps upon the bank." The guests before departing had been refreshed with warm beverages and another supper at the house by the hostess, and left praising the entertainment. Such social affairs advertise the locality, as a numerous following of bachelors afterwards come in over our metalled roads and talk about them, and think of buying farms and so help to raise prices a desired aftereffect of the ball.