A DIGGINGS BALL ON THE WEST COAST.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 110, 17 April 1876, Page 4

A DIGGINGS BALL ON THE WEST COAST.

(Dunedin Evening News.) A young gentleman engaged in a certain monetary establishment was recently sent to take charge of an agency up country, and he thus describes bis first night's experience in his new quarters :— When I came down the following notice attracted by attention. It was stuck up in the hotel where I was staying : — Grand Annual BALL To be holden at the New Government Buildings, On Friday, February 25th, 1876. Admission, sb. As this ball is one of our national institutions, I decided to go to it. All my white shirts and things were at the D , but I bought a box of paper collars, washed my face, sewed some buttons on my shirt, borrowed a pair of. boots without nails, and started off in my shirt sleeves. Mr G- was ticket-taker; he had managed to raise a white shirt, and consequently looked, gorgeous. There was accommodation enough for four sets of dancers, a splendid floor, and plenty of ventilation, as the house was only half finished. I got up in one dance, but could do nothing but laugh at. the style of tbe other ladies and gents. The music was a r trombone and fiddle, the latter was splendidly played by a Mr M , a new race contractor. There were two M.C.'s. There were round and square dances, jigs, and reels, to the number of 43. I never saw a madder crowd in all my life. About 50 ladies were present, some from Ahaura, Arnold, Red Jack's, Callaghan's, and Try-Again Terrace. The " ladies"! were dressed promiscuously in twee J, linsey woolBey, and (he usual mosquito curtain. It was a brilliant bif iir altogether. Tbe etiquette of the ballroom was peculiar. Each gentleman was expected to go and buy a drink for his partner after each dance: Old torn and gin were mostly patronised by the ladies, There were no piogrammes. A good many ladies were complaining of "bale" and " shweat," the usual accompaniments of a ballroom, I suppose. I only danced once, as I hadn't enough money to pay for the necessary liquorß, but I found splendid amusement in watching tbe rest. There was no gentleman's dresß-ing-room, so we all kept our hats on duriog the festivities. I approve of this plan as you need not take so much trouble wilh your hair, and nobody can steal the hat, as it is often the case in metropolitan assemblies. No one was the worse for liquor, nnd none of the quarrels were settled in the ballroom ; they were held over till next morning by order of the committee. I approve of tbis : a place for everything and everything in its proper place. It is esteemed a mark of respect to a lady to buy the whole bottle of old torn and what shecannot drink throw outof the window This is not usually the case in Greymouth, I believe. The dancing was kept up with great spirit till the rising sun, with Aurelian splendour, illuminating the east with fitful glances, warned the ladies that it was time to prepare tbe matutinal meal to support the fatigues of the coming day. Tbe fights were held in M'Claughesy's paddock, under the patronage of the Hatter's Terrace ladies, Ahaura police, and Government, officers. There was nothing remarkable l id the proceedings, except that tbey occupied four hours. In the evening, the champion Irish piper of the Australian colonies,; Johnny Coghlan, arrived. He was placed on a chair on a table, and the room cleared for dancing. 1 never heard such music in all my life, and the effect produced on his bearers was tremendous.