CHILDREN’S BALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 844, 26 May 1910, Page 3

CHILDREN’S BALL.

The expectations of the Foxton children were fully realised at the opening of the Plain and Fancy Dress Ball in the Town Hall on Tuesday night last, held under the auspices of All Saints Ladies’ Guild, when they found that the culminating point had been attained in the completion of the arrangements for their reception and enjoyment. The attendance was exceptionally good, the function passing off without a hitch, and can be looked upon as a record in juvenile dances for Foxton. The interior of the hall was most attractively decorated with Chinese lanterns, bamboo, and evergreens, and the ceiling with paper trimmings, and when blended with the bright colours of fancy dresses presented a scene most picturesque and gay. The proceedings commenced with the Grand March, and the floor was occupied by the children until xo o’clock, dancing being freely indulged in by the little “dots” and older ones alike, all tripping gaily, under the guidance of a number of willing adults, to the strains of spirited music supplied by Misses Jenks, Flossy Edwards, H. Cook (violin) Reeve, and Mrs J. Dunn. Fancy costumes were well in evidence, and ranged from the unobtrusive “Maori” and “ Footballer ” to the more gorgeous attire of the “ Turkish Page,” and the ever-popular presence of the “Clown” and “Punch,” one dress vieing with the other as the youngsters jostled about merrily or attempted to imitate their elders, who piloted them round to the steps of the dreamy waltz or the confusing figures of the lancers. A break was made in the programme, when little Miss Eileen Ennis delighted those present with a Highland Fling, which was well executed ior one so young. A song, “Doreen,” was also contributed by Mr Ngawaka, who was accorded wellmerited applause. The welfare and enjoyment of the children was attentively presided over by Mr C. Collins as M.C., ably assisted by Messrs Jackson and Woods. A plentiful and sumptuous supper was provided for those present, and a small army of helpers were kept busy at the supper interval in handing round the good things to appease the appetites and thirst of such a host of children. After supper the children resumed dancing until io o’clock, when they retired to their respective homes, still happy with the memory of such a good time spent at this annual function. The following are some of the fancy costumes worn: — GIRLS. Eileen Ennis, Scotch Lassie; Maude Andrews, Happy; Alice and Annie Baker, Two Little Girls in Blue; Lora Petersen, White; Mary Collins, Heather Bell; Stella Barber, Heather Bell; Myrtle Andrews. Pink; Hazel Newth, Flower Girl; Doris Ball, Turkish Maid; Mary Robinson, Maori; Marcia Small, Little Miss Muffet; Ivy Small, Twilight; Nellie Robertson, Shamrock ; Dollie Spiers, Queen of the Roses ; Rita Perreau, Irish Washerwoman; Nellie Woods, Fairy ; Grace Robinson, starlight; Elsie King, Heather Bell, Frida de Ridder, Sunflower; Eva de Ridder, Japanese ; Bertha Gower, Cupid; Edna Collins, Punch ; Milva Collins, Geranium ; Stella Robinson, Little Red Riding Hood ; Aves Easton, Little English Maid; Madge Desmond, Irish Washerwoman ; Grace Reeve, Spanish Dancer.

BOVS. Ernest Haslett, Clown ; Clarence Muuro, Cadetl; Alex. Grey, Cowboy ; Bert Wyatt, Jockey; G. Robinson, Nigger ; Herston Robinson, Knave of Hearts ; Gordon Perreau, Sailor Boy ; Herbert Perreau, Turkish Page ; D. Walls, Cadet, Stanley Collins, Sailor Boy ; Frank Desmond, Footballer ; Huia Clemett, Boy Blue.

The floor was occupied by adult dancers from 10 o’clock till midnight, who tripped lightly to music kindly provided by Mrs Reeves and Misses Edwards and Hilda Cook.

The success of this ball is sufficient compensation for the untiring efforts of the energetic committee ot All Saints Radies' Guild, and, financially, the Guild will benefit to the extent of about Special praise is due to the chief workers of the ladies’ committee, consisting of Mesdaraes Easton, Jeuks, Stewart, Robinson, Barber, R. Barber, Chalmers, T. Nye, Bock and Woodward. The thanks of the GiffTd is extended to Mrs T. Nye for providing the paper trimmings by which the ceiling ot the hall was decorated, and also to Mr Holt who worked so hard in conjunction with the Rev Mr Woodward in the preparations for the childrens’ enjoyment, and to all who in any way helped to make the affair such a pronounced success.