MESSRS. A. P. STUART AND CO.’S BALL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4151, 10 July 1874, Page 3

MESSRS. A. P. STUART AND CO.’S BALL.

This ball, given by the firm to celebrate the completion of the large additions to their premises, a description of which we gave yesterday, took place last night, and was a great success. Nearly two hundred guests assembled, for whom provision had been made in the most spirited way. Business was suspended during the • day, to enable the necessary preparations to be made, and as “many hands make light work”_ the warehouse was soon robbed of its business appearance, and converted into a spacious, handsome, and commodious hall and supperroom, The counting-room was converted into a cloak-room. The two private rooms on the lower floor became card-rooms. A portion of the “ furnishing department” was draped off with flags as a ladies’ room; the supper tables, two in number, extended the whole length of the lower or “Manchester” room; at the top of the staira a refreshment bar was extemporised ; and the upper room—6o feet long by 35 feet broad, as we mentioned yesterday—became a ball room, mirrors were hung round the walls, with a drapery of banners, and created baronial bannerets in the corners gave the room a very cheerful look. Sofas, easy chair’s, and benches were ranged round the walls ; carpets and hearthrugs were spread out along the sides of the room ; and an excellent band was placed at the upper end. About nine o’clock the dancing was commenced, and was carried on with great spirit till midnight, when supper was announced. Mr. Stuart filled the chair, faced by Mr. Wallace. Mr. Harcourt presided at the head of the second table, with Mr. D. Stuart as his vis-a-vis. The supper was lard out in Mr. I’. Larug’s usually tasteful style, and after the meats and the drinks had been done full justice to, the usual loyal toasts were proposed by the chairman and heartily responded to. The health of the firm of Messrs. A. P. Stuart and Co., was proposed with warmth by Mr. Thos. McKenzie, and received with all the honors. Mr. Stuart replied and proposed the health of Mr. and Mrs. Harcourt, dwelling with great pleasure on the fact that after having served the firm with great devotion and success, Mr. Harcourt would join the firm as a partner on the first day of next month —an announcement received with great applause. Mr. Harcourt replied briefly, but tastefully. After a few other toasts—the ladies not being forgotten—a hasty adjournment was made to the ball-room. The dancing was kept up—one should rather say, would be maintained—till the stars began to pale. The firm may be congratulated on the success they have achieved, and on the spirit with which they have entered on a new era in the history of Messrs. A. P. Stuart and Co.