FOOTBALLERS' BALL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 569, 24 September 1920, Page 2

FOOTBALLERS' BALL.

AN UNQUALIFIED SUCCESS. - The 1920. Pukekohe footballers' plain and fancy dress inasn,uerade ball held iii the Premier Hall on Tuesday evening eclipsed any previous similar function yet held in Pukekohe. In spite of the -inclement weather that prevailed throughout Tuesday there was a record attendance. An outstanding feature of the event was the wide range of fancy costumes, and never before have so many been seen by a local audience. Apart from this fact the costumes were gorgeous, and favourable comment was heard on all sides. There were between 80 and 100 attired in some kind of fancy rig.

The members of the football club worked assiduously to make their annual gathering an unqualified success. On Tuesday the inclement weather was responsible for them taking a pessimistic view of the matter, and one and all anticipated the event would be an out-and-out failure, despite, the fact that a large number of tickets had beea sold. On the ether hand, a larj?e number of the footballers were optimistic that the weather would clear up before the time for opening the doors. Those who took the latter view were somewhat correct in their caleulat|>ns, as during the early part of the evening there was a change for the better, and only a few light showers fellnot sufficient to keep local enthusiasts away. The conditions prevented numbers from attending from'Tuakau, Bombay, Waiuku, Patumahoe and Drury who. had.signified their intention of being present under'ideal conditions. Nevertheless these districts were represented by some who bravtd 'the elements. Elaborate arrangements were complete, and everything passed off without the slightest hitch. As is usually the case at functions of this kind, the ladies predominated as far as numbers were concerned, and on Tuesday night they attended in exceptionally large numbers, there being about one-third more ladies present than male trippers of the light fantastic. The seating accommodation was taxed to its utmost capacity, including the stage, which was reserved for onlookers. The boys had the hall tastefully decorated with greenery and peach blossoms, while streamers of flags (kindly lent for the occasion by the Tuakau Town Board) were suspended across the room from the four corners of the building. Various coloured electric light bulbs hung from the procenium to the operating box. On the latter was trellis work, which stuod out magnificently, adding greatly to the brilliant spectacle presented. The hall was beautifully decorated, for which a word of praise is due to the promoters. The floor was in capital condition, and was occupied by about 120 couples, who danced merrily to the excellent music supplied by llarriman's orchestra, consisting of Mrs. Harriman (piano), Messrs. C. Deed, J. Harriman Ramsay, (cornet) and Bear (double bass); &f&as were contributed' ffy Misses HE J)uncan and Wearing.' The duties of M.C's were efficiently discharged by • Messrs. Vf. J# Short, S. Marshall, Jas. Blake and C. Weston. The supper arrangements were in 1 the hands of a ladies' committee consisting of Mesdames Hawke, Short, • Crumr and Ijee, and Misses Nelsie Hawke, (J. Moloney, A. Weston and GjMaxwell, and ; rfea but in a thoroughly efficient manneft

The grand march presented a fine spectacle, and was led by Mr. W. J. Short, captain of the club's senior fifteen, in a fancy dress, a soldier and his bride. This was undoubtedly the most original dress of the evening. It was a fine get-up indeed. One half represented a soldier in uniform, and the other half a bride. He I wore on the latter half of his body the usual bridal gown, with orangeblossoms, and carried a beautiful bouquet. As far as the ladies dresses were concerned they were a nice collection. The outstanding original dres* Was that representing spring worn by Miss A. Weston. She wsfe a bonnet made of cabbage leaves, while the dress was decorated with seasonable vegetables. Other prominent dresses were: Miss Vera Oldham (Turkish Lady), Mr. Bert Oldham (Roman Soldier). Miss Churches wore a gown representing the Pukekohe football team, and it was very line indeed, taking the eye of the footballers in particular. All over the dress were footballers in the club's colours (maroon). Mrs George represented Britannia, Miss Ivy Duncan, Ruination; Miss Ivy Adams, Champion Muscle Raiser Flour; Mrs. R. McGough, Red Cross Nurse; Miss Mvttle Alexander, Peisian Ladv; Miss Nelsie Hawkc, Dutch Boy;* Miss Gladys Baker, Chinawoman; Miss Gus Corns Chinaman: Miss Ivy Short, Daffodil; Miss Ada Jenkins, "Franklin and Pukekohe Times." Another costume which attracted much favourable comment, and which was a fine one was tbat representing the Butterfly.

Mr. 3yd. Marshall represented Baby; Mr. Jim. Weston, Champion Flour; Mr. G. McAlpine Shavings; Mr. Aubrey Middlemiss, Charlie Chaplin: and a number of others, to whom we apologise for not publishing their names on acermnt of pressure on our space. The prizes for the dresses were won as follows: Ladies' Best Fancy Dress; prize donated by Mr. K. H. Keating; Miss Vera Oldham, Turkish Lady. Most original; prize donated by Mr. C. R. Lusher: Miss A. Weston, Spring Vegetables. Gentlemen, best dress; Mr. W. T. Jones' prize: Mr. Bert Oldham, Roman Soldier. Most original; Mr. G. H. Armstrong's prize; Mr. W. J. Short, a Soldier and his Bride. The prizes were presented by Mr. I F. Perkins on behalf of the club. j

After the supper interval, in the absence of Mr. -G. Proude, president of the Franklin Rugby Union, and Mr Robt. Fulton, president of the Pukekohe Football Club, Mr. F. H. Hewitt presented the caps and medals to the junior fifteen, winners of the Franklin Rugby Union junior championship, and medals won by members of the club for 1920. In doing so he referred to the fa.ct that during the last two years the junior team had played 23 matches, won 21 and drew 2, and had not suffered defeat, which was a meritorious performance. The names of the junior winners are: -Caps: R. J. Tonkin, C. Nicholson, N. Stuart, F. J. Brown, L. Fisher, Jas. Moloney, H. Hart anil H. Jones. Medals: Jack Adatws (captain), Jas. Adams. A. L. Middlemiss, R. G. Lysnar, C. Daxeley, W. Stewart, N. A. Blake. L. Hurt, S. Cronin, Roy Fill- j ton, C. Fulton, R. Perkins. Medal pre-1 sented by W. Wright, Esq., for best j all-round junior player: Roy Fulton. The following won medals donated by J. S. Hogan, Esq.: Best senior | back, H. S. Leighton; best senior for-1 ward, N. L. Higginson. Best junior i back, R. J. Tonkin; best junior forward, R. Perkins. At the request of the junior team. Mr. Frank Perkins on their b«half returned thanks. He stated that the boys played good football, and congratulated them on their SQctess. He' wished them tucceiß again next year.