THE FLAPPERS’ BALL.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 96, 22 August 1918, Page 2

THE FLAPPERS’ BALL.

A Huge Success. There are not a great number of settlers in the district of Taihoa — seventeen heads of households tin all —but it is well known that some of them have the power of concentrating their whole energies in the direction of one particular object at a time. Just now the settlers’ object is to raise money in support of the “ copper trail ” campaign and incidentally to secure the return of the “ Queen of the seas ” as queen of the Matamata riding. The foregoing statements were fully demonstrated on Tuesday night, on the occasion of the “ Flappers’ ball ” organised by the “ Green ” executive. All day members of the committee were at work decorating and preparing the hall, and at 8.30 p.m., with about 200 people present, a particularly brilliant scene was presented. The lady members of the community all became “flappers” for the evening and tresses golden, auburn and brown were shown in profusion. One male “ flapper ” gave a slight variation. Short skirts, which had in some cases, been put away for the (happy?) state of fully grown-up life were resurrected, and husbands again saw their wives as they were when courting commenced. At about nine-thirty a parade of “ flappers,” led by Miss Annie Robinson and a “ lady ” from the district, was held under the direction of the M’s.C., Mr M. McDermott and Mr M. Madill, the picture being thoroughly effective. Voting papers were then sold and a ballot taken on the most perfect “ flapper.” The result was a win for the daughter of the “Queen of the seas,” Miss Gould, with Miss Enid Ross (Walton)* second. The winner gave her prize, a bead necklace, back for auction and it was sold and given back several times. The purchasers were Messrs J. Steen, J. Quinlan, W. Quinlan, M. Gould, and Quinlan. Guessing competitions for a cake and a -turkey were won by Dr Carolan and Mr J. Hintz, and Mr J. Cranswick, and both prizes were put up for auction by the winners. The cake was bought by Mr Steen at 28s, while the turkey was purchased by Mr West (325), Mr F. Connell (21s), Mr J. Steen (218), Mr J. Robinson (20s) and finally by the first purchaser, Mr West, at 14s. The cake was donated by Mrs M. Madill, and the turkey by Mrs Alison. At about ten o’clock a driving competition was held, three teams of six girls taking part as follows : Taihoa (Mr J. Quinlan, driver), Matamata (Mr B. C. Taylor) and Turanga -o - moana (Mr Eric James). The girls were blindfolded, with ribbons attached to the hands, and were driven through bottles. The event caused great amusement and excitement, and the win of the Turanga-o-moana team was most popular. During the evening a vocal item was nicely rendered by Mr Dave Herron, a popular C.T. A report of the evening would not be complete without special reference to the orchestra, Mr and Mrs Darby and Mr Gumming, with occasional assistance from Mrs W. Ryan (violin). Their quota to the success of the evening came only next to that given by the hard working committee. The latter had their arrangements well in hand and with the assistance of a capable M.C.,andthe musicians, took part in one of the most brilliant functions yet held in Matamata. Mr J. .Price was judge of the driving competition. The total nett proceeds should be considerably over £30 —a good effort indeed. Extra dances were nicely played by Miss M. Robinson and Miss R. James.