Tha Voluhteer Ball.

Manawatu Herald, 10 July 1902, Page 2

Tha Voluhteer Ball.

Last night at the Public Hall the Foxton Rifle Volunteer Corps’ second annual ball held, and was an unqualified success, both in point of at* tendance and financially. We do not remember the hall being so filled for such an occasion of the kind, in fact the floor space of the building, was taxed to its utmost both for dancers and non-dancers. Those who had worked tor its success are to beconr gratulated on the manner everything passed off. The ball was nicely decorated with ferns, Chinese lanterns and red, white and blue drapery, a profusion of flags also gave a bright and varied appearance. An arch surmounted by a golden crown with flags at each side looked most striking and presented a pretty effect. More than a word of praise is due to the wives and sweethearts of the volunteers for the excellent supper provided, every imaginable dainty being on. the tables, and in plenty. A number of visitors ,attended, and it may'safely estimated that quite 250 persons were present. The volunteers attended in uniform, and the' fancy costumes, though not numerous, were very good, and helped to make a bright scene, The addition of two or three extra lamps would perhaps of been an im* provement, as the best light is a ne* cesslty to show the dresses to advantage. A novelty\in the shape of programmes was introduced* and was as follows: —Transvaal March Polka, N.S.W. Lancers, Contingent.. Waltz, Orange R. Schottische, "Bob’s" Quadrille, Kimberley Waltz, Kheis Mazurka, Colenso Waltz Cotillion, Field Hospital Barn Dance, Grass Pan Waltz, Ladysmith Lancers, Vredeburg Waltz, Ist extra; second paxt: Circassian Circle, Kitchener's Waltz, Botha’s Mazurka, Glencoe D’jjUberts, Gordon Schottische, Colesburg Waltz, Mafeking Lancers, De, Wet’s Barn Dance, Leysdrap Waltz, Cronje Quadrille, Pretoria Waltz, Kruger’s Medley, 2nd extra. On the programme were also printed the following orders;—To arms I—Halt 1 Rations. Assembly— Lights Out 1 the bugler of the Corps giving the different orders. The extra dances were capably played by Miss Imrie, and also by the “ Simplex, ” kindly lent for the occasion by the D.I.C. The music was supplied by* the Cornwall Family, consisting of four musicians (piano, cornet, violin and double'bass), and the excellent time they kept was the theme oi all, THE DRESSES. The Volunteers should feel flattered at the trouble the ladies took to grace

thell<¥all, all exceedingly nice, and, as will be seen below, those who went in fancy dress took a lot of pains and went to some expense to prepare the dresses for their characters Mrs Haywood—“ A Lady ot the 19th Century/’ wore a silk Irish poplin dress, trimmed with point lace and Ostrich feathers, the train a pale pink brocaded satin lined with orange silk. She wore a William IV hat, trimmed with silk poppies and ostrich plumes, and carried an ostrich feather fan and a staff. To be in keeping with the period she was powdered and wore patches. Mrs A. Symons represented “ Flax.” She wore a white dress trimmed with green flax blades, ami a wig of dressed flax with long coils hanging down her back. Mrs W. Gray as a “ Daughter of the Regiment ” wore a red tunic, trimmed with blue and gold, a skirt of blue trimmed with red. A forage cap with the brush was on her head, and she carried the bugle, pistols, &c. Miss Haywood represented “ Queen Esther,” an Eastern lady. Her dress was of pale pink and green crepe, richly embossed with gold; long cloak and gold gauze mantle, Eastern cap with spangles. Miss Aitcheson went as “ Perish,” wore a peacock blue and ruby satin', handsomely trimmed with gold sequins, and she also wore a gold cap. Miss Withers went as “ Britannia,” and wore a gold helmet, white dress, with the Union Jack in front. Miss King as a “Fusilier” wore a navy blue dress, with stripes and forage cap. Miss Spring as “ Kharki,” wore the colour denoted. Mrs F. Coley went as a “ Red Cross Nurse,” and wore a black dress with white apron and cap, and the red cross on her arm. Miss M, Collins "Club Coftee,” wore white, with the label of the coftee in front. Miss Imrie as "The Manawatu Herald ” wore a costume on which the last copy of the paper was printed. The gentlemen did not make a great attempt at decoration. Dr, Graham went as an “ Array Surgeon,” Mr Gillanders as a “ Negative Photo, ” Mr James as a "Jockey,” Mr Jack as a " Highlander,”. and Mr Glover as a “ Naval Officer.” ' PRIZES. During the evening the prizes to the successful competitors in the shooting competition were presented by Mrs Walsh, the wife of the captain of the company, as under Ist Prize in A Class (biscuit barrel given by Mr and Mrs Haywood), to Private Smith. Ist Prize in B Class Gam dish given by Messrs Holmes & Co.) to Sergeant Hamer. ist prize in C Class (inkstand given by Mr G. Coley), to Private Gillespie. A ballot was taken for the best fancy dresses, for prizes given by Mr and Mrs Haywood and the officers, resulting favour of Mrs W. Gray and Mr J ame3> XT Private Ennis and Sergeant T. Nye carried out the duties of M.’C’s in an efficient manner during the evening.