The First Ball at Government House.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 15 July 1890, Page 2

The First Ball at Government House.

■ A lady correspondent foe a Southern contemporary thus pleasantly (*escvibes the first ball at Government House. Precisely at hnlf-p;ist nine a waltz began, and after this another extra was played, during whic'.i time the Earl a.id Conntess of Onslow rereived their guests at the yellow-drawing-room door, both the green drawing room nnd the ball-room baing used for dancing. After the two extras the Lancers were played ; the Countess danced with the Mayor (Mi- C. Johnston), whilst the Enrl was o iposite with, the Mayoi eis. After this one of the nmst delightful balls we In v« hid for a very long time was in full swing, and went on till past tv, o o'clock' The music was exce lent, bein? supplied by Kind's b nd of six instruments; the eymba's and triangh-s joining in at times most effectively. " I hayo a song to sing, oh " nnd other airg from °the " Yoemen " were much enjoyed. The floor was at its very best," and the rooms looked very well with tho mantlepiece? banked high with rots of maidenhair, nnd surmounted with pafms, under which bnrned the crimson pointsettia blossoms The verandah was cV.Red in and softly illuminated with Chinese lanterns. The billiard room, as of old. was converted into a refreshment room, and the rooms down the same corridor were thrown opnn, and tho guests hid the pleasure of gazing at tho numerous photographs that were disposed about the room. the Countess of Onsl.w was attired i" n- hamlsome ' toi'ette of back lace, with low borlice, fchor sleeves. Resting upnn lu'r coiffures she wore a countesses coronet of Hashing diamonds, similar precion, stones encircled her neck and or. lamented one side of her bodicet whist on the back of the cordage a diamond burterfly had taken rest Her Ladyship's bouquet was of swes scented violets. Amongst those who were present T noticed Sir John and Lady Hal; their daughter, who was wilh thorn, wore a pretty white dress. Captain and Mrs Eussell, 'the latter wearing a handsome toilette of black over amber ; Mrs For.'us in cream brocade adotmd . vel'ow roses ; Sir Walter, T.ady and j Miss Duller, the latter in white n, 0 ■ with satin bodice and groups

simple white flowers ; Mrs Hislop in black ; Mr and Mrs Levir., the latter wearing a lovely toilette of ahimmeriug «?#. rfe nil satin with trimmings of tlavk-green velvet, and handsome necklet of amethysts. Before the half of the programme %he supper room was opened, Lady Onslow being lead in by Captain Eussell. The table was decorated with nothing save large pots of maiden hair ami other ferns, the pots being draped with lovely scarves : some of which looked 'ike •delicate handpainliug on silk. Th" inblos wove arranged in a ho low oblong, in the centre of which, were the foetmen in liveries of cerise satin breeches and cream plush ■coats. Tk 5 waiting was excel ent ; the instant a champagne boctle was empty it was rsmoved ; the snuiH •with plates, &c. Ths supper was excell-nt, and the tables wore kept groaning under a heavy burden im' ■til every one had dispe s(d Tha soup was kept hot upon two l?rge spirit stands From the supper room one looked on to the cool expauce of the conservatory covered •with hanging creepers under whose shade chairs in two and two were arranged, whence arose young men :nid maidens who hud been whisper ing sweet nothings, quito as ready to taste the saccharine somctiiiugs prepared for them as the dowagers. 'I he Highiaud Schottiscbe wns in § •cblged in witli much spirit, the music becoming quicker and quicker to the end, and concluding amidst great excitement. Had this dance been in vogue in the time of He Harvey it wooild not have been left for him alon &to discover the circulation of the blood. The whole evening went an the very reverse of His Excellency's name ; the Dance in a IBarn being also very -much enjoyed as nearly everyone " has learnt the step by now.

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