PATEA HARBOUR FOUNDATION STONE.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 331, 19 June 1878, Page 2

PATEA HARBOUR FOUNDATION STONE.

A county Ball in honour of the laying of tilts' Foundation Stone of the Fatea Breakwater was held in the Carlyle Town Hall, on Friday evening last. From about two o’clock in the day rain continued almost without intermission until near midnight. Occasionally the rain came down in torrents and from'dusk until past nine o’clock there, was a steady downpour. Prospects of a successful ball were gloomy. As will be recollected a committee embracing residents in all parts of the County had been formed to make arrangementsfor the laying of the Foundation Stone and for the Xsa7i. Sectional committees were agreed upon to ensure the carrying out of all details. Amongst those deserving special praise for good work performed we may mention the Secretary andTreasurer(MrSamuel Taplin), .Messrs O. F. Sherwood, Allen Hutchinson, R. E. Mcßae. Dr Croft, J. Thomson and Richard Dickson.

Ear]} 7 in the week stops were taken to prepare the Hall for the Ball. The floor was .scrubbed, scraped, and as a finish up was waxed. On Thursday nikau palm, fern, and other evergreens of varied hue were brought in from the country, and Messrs Allen Hutchinson (who all through has been indefatigable in his exertions), together with R. E. Mcßae and G. F. Sherwood busied themselves in decorating the sides and other parts of the Hall. A double row of Chinese lanterns (lent by Mr James Rhodes) running lengthways of the Hall, were hung amongst the evergreens, and formed peculiar yet pleasing contrast. On Friday hunting was fixed, and all was ready for the dancing. In spite of the continuous rain ladies and gentlemen, town residents and country settlers, showed up from eight o’clock', and shortly before nine o’clock, the Hall being comfortably filled, the Master of Ceremonies (R. E. Mcßae. Esq.), called upon the Chairman of the Harbour Board to open the Ball. Mr and Mrs Sherwood accordingly occupied the position,of honour, and the ball commenced. Dancing continued until past four o’clock Saturday morning, with great good humour and spirit, the utmost cordiality being shown on the part of the large and mixed assembly. The appearance of the Hall and assembly front the stage during the progress of the dancing was most pleasing. The Hall, as previously mentioned, had been tastefully decorated with evergreens, vari-form and coloured Chinese lanterns, and bunting, and was well lighted by reflector lamps. The gentlemen, almost without exception, were in evening costume. The ladies, of themselves charming, were attired richly and with rare good taste. All colours in silks, satins, and muslins (pink and blue prevailing) were represented, and were set off by artificial adornments and jewellery. The whole formed a brilliant spectacle alike creditable to the County and the occasion.

The following were present . Mr and Mrs Sherwood, Mr and Mrs R Dickson, Mr and Mrs A. Black, Mr and Mrs W. Coworn, Mr and airs Fraser, Mr and Mrs T. Haywood, Mr and Mrs Hastie, Mr and Mrs Kenworthy, Mr and Mrs R. E. Mcßae, Mr and Mrs J. Nicholson, Mr and Mrs S. Taplin, Mr and Mrs R. C. Tennent, Mr and Mrs W. A. G. Winchcornb, Mr and Mrs W. Wilson, Dr and Mrs Warren, Mrs Ballam (Waverlcy), Mrs S. Dixon, Mrs Davidson (Whenuakura), Mrs Richard Tingey, Miss Coutts, Miss Drake, Miss Dasent, Miss Newing, Miss Parsons, Misses Turners (2), Miss O’Rourke, Messrs H. E. P. Adams, G. F. Bayly, H. Coutts, Dr Croft, 0. and B. Dasent, J. Dawson, J. and G. Ginger, A. and 0. Hutchinson, C. Hargreaves, D. M. Harris, W. Hume, F.Lukis, R. Hook, —Leslie, Laishley, J. McLean, C. H. Monkton, E. D. 'Norris, W. Newland, Norman, H. S. Peacock, W. I). Powdrell, A. R. Pye, H. Shaw, Oscar and Albert Symes, J. Thomson, Thomas Turner, E. Tregear, P. Wilson (Whenuakura), W. L. Weiss.

The stage served as the refreshment room, the tables being loaded with substantial fare, and with an abundant supply of refreshing beverages. The quality of everything was good, and the cook (Mr William Howitt) certainly deserves credit. Had the committee provided less solid fare and made up with something of lighter kinds, the refreshment. department would have been perfect. Tea and coffee was obtainable from about eleven o’clock.

The musicians—Mr Knight at the piano; Mr Dixon, of Hawera, violin; and Mr King piccolo—won high praise. R. E. Mcßae, as Master of Ceremonies, sustained the character previously earned of being the right man in the right place. Altogether, in spite of the extremely unfavorable weather, the County Ball in honor of the laying of the Foundation Stone of the Patea Breakwater, was a thorough success, and all who worked as committee or volunteers may congratulate themselves on the result.

On account of the rain on Friday night having hindered many ticket holders, who resided in the country, from putting in an appearance, a meeting of the committee was held, when It was decided to continue the ball on Monday evening, Dr Croft announcing that a charge of 7s fid rvould be made to such as were present on Friday evening, absent ones to use the tickets previously obtained. Accordingly on Monday evening the ball was continued, Mr J. Dawson taking the place of violinist. About fifty assembled, and a very enjoyable evening was spent, the ball concluding about three o’clock on Tuesday morning.