SCHOOL BALL.

Taihape Daily Times, 10 November 1917, Page 4

SCHOOL BALL.

The Taihape District High School's annual ball was held in the Town Hall last night, and that it was such an unqualified success must be a source of much gratification to the staff of the school after their many week's work in teaching the children the various dances. The ball passed off without a single hitch, aud that the children enjoyed themselves to their hearts' content a glance at the happy, joyous young faces as ;they circled round the room fully proved. The ball has been the absorbing topic among the juvenile members of the community for some time past, and that the gala night is now over will "be in some measure a relief to parents Previous to the grand march the National Anthem was sung by those present, which had a very charming effect as the fresh, young voices were raised in singing the anthem which has since the war acquired a tn-ew and deeper meaning. The fancy dresses of the children were very effective and varied, ranging from very diminutive Belgian maidens and an equally small Teddy Bear to the aggressive looking Greek soldier, with a poinard in his belt. Ladies of the pre-Vietorian era, gipsies, Indian girls,' cowboys, niggers, old English gentlemen, and of course the inevitable Charley Chapiiu, ; had representatives. Indeed it was a very cosmopolitan crowd which assembled to partieiapte 'in Taihape V, annual school ball. The grand march opened the ball, and as the various evolutions were gone through, the colours of the various fancy dresses of the children had a pretty effect, the grouping being very judicious. Two little maidens (Misses P. Train and M. Edlin) dressed in Belgian costume and each bearing a Belgian flag, connected by coloured ribbons to the next row, led off the march, and very seriously indeed did they take /the responsibility of their position. The various figures of the march were gone through with a precision that betokened much pain staking teaching on the part of their instructors. Perhaps the most effective part of the march was when the children counter-marched, each, when passing a certain point, forming up on either side, and with hands raised, allowed the remainder of the procession to pass through., -•' It was during his figure that the children were seen to the greatest advantage, the many coloured dresses forming a striking spectacle viewed from the gallery. At the conclusion of the march, the children received a perfect salvo of applause, especially from the gallery, which was crowded with spectators. Up till about 9 o'clock the juveniles had the floor, and made the most of the time.

Just previous to adjourning for supper, the children, were formed up for a mar eh, and Mr. Joblin (Chairman of the School Committee) took the opportunity of addressing a few words to those present. He said the school balls had, invariably been successful, but he felt sure the present one was the most successful yet held. Various functions had been held for patriotic purposes at which the children had assisted, and he instanced one occasion on which the children had collected bottles for a Red Cross Effort by which over £4O had been obtained. Now they thought it was time they [helped themselves. He said the School Committee were badly in need of money to carry out essential work in connection with the school the expenses for which were going up and the capitation going down. He called for a hearty vote of thanks to the teachers for the trouble they had taken, to the pianist (Miss Baxter) for her musical assistance at the practices and during the evening, and to the fifteen or twenty ladies, who, during the time they had been enjoying themselves had been ungrudgingly employed in preparing the supper. After the round of applause had subsided, Mr. Joblin, announced, "It's carried unanimously.'' The children were then marshalled in relays to the supper-room, and that they did full justice to the various viands provided was amply demonstrated by the number of empty plates in evidence.

The teachers of the school were indefatigable during the evening in seeing to the enjoyment of the children, encouraging the diffident and restraining the more boisterous. Mr. Train .acted as director of ceremonies. After the departure of the children dancing by the adults commenced, when between 40 and 50 couples took the floor, to the excellent music provided by Mr Edlin's orchestra, which consisted of piano, cornet, flute, and violin. Messrs. Dunbar, W. Nicholls, and Munro officiated as M.Cs. Dancing was kept up till the small hours of the morning, and a very pleasant evening was spent by those present.

LIST OF FANCY DRESSES. Following is the list of fancy dresses:— Frank Knox Cannibal King, H. Bosher Indian, R. Timbs Charles I, G. Shanley French Courtier, H Saunders Toreador, B. Sonimerville Scout, Flor-

ence Fritch even dress, D. Bosher fat lady J. B'urrell evening dress, L. liams Kiltie, if. Gillies Scout, R„ Johnstone Snowstorm, Grace Duncan Jap lady, Mavis Goode Daisy, E. Gardner Belgium, T. Toswill Wilkes Coon, P. Rogers Gipsy, R„ Jones Mexican Cowboy, Hazel Cleaver Swiss Girl, Doris Park, Spanish T Bicknell sailor lass j Alice Jones? harem slave, E. Fleet Rose, G. Harwood Butterbup, J. Fleet Forget-me-not, R. Casey Irish lass, D. Bray Folly, D. Grossman Jap lady, M. McCormick Belgium, N. Donaldson Egyptian Princess, M. Campbell Spanish dancer, C. Joblin sailor lass, M. Donaldson Gipsy Princess, B. McLennan sailor, E Lovell Ivy, G. Edlin Butterfly, F. Spooner Maori, M. Johnstone Jockey, W. McLennan Scout, R. Dean Ancient Greek, M. Lovell Violets D. Evans Poppy, R Watt Spanish dancer, J. McLennan Pierrot, N. Ryan Indian Squaw, L. Trickett Scout, F. Healey Chariie Chaplin W. Pullen sailor, W. Campbell Gentleman, E.. McCormick V. Beban Spanish dancer, B. Beban Chinaman, E. Spooner ' fairy, E. Bicknell sailor lass, M. Johnston Poppy ? D Mortland harem slave, J. Mortland Little Lord Fauntleroyl Gladys Davey Gipsy, Roma Durrani' Poppy, R. Cartier Summer, L. Hall Peace, E. Denness Ivy, K. Joblin bowler, A. Russell Islander, P. AskewNew Zealand, H. Wapp Irish Lass, W. Timbs Puritan Maid, B. Johnston U. S.A., D. Palmer Gavotte dancer, Thelma Edlin Butterfly, L. Walsh Punch E. Doherty Sailor-boy, J Beaton powder and patches, E. Lailor Erin, G. Ryan Scout, H. Shennan Maori, B. Harris Flower girl, P. Train Belgium M. Edlin Belgium, J. Grossman little boy blue, A Bremner ace of diamonds D. Sommerville Scout, N. McCormick Sailor Girl, J. Doherty buttercups and daisies, E. Burrell Ireland, D. KilKolly Swiss Girl O. Rutherford For-get-me-nots, H. Bray Kiltie, E. Thurston fairy, M Rice Italy, M. Shanley France, J. Spooner Spanish, R. Hensen Welsh, C. Joblin Jester L. Treadwell Order of the Bath, N. Fookes. Teddy Bear, J. Mercer Page, D. James Spring, M. Mercer American, F Peyton fairy, L. Russell Venus A. Dean Indian Squaw, R. Roberts Old English, E. Nicholls Bon Bon, H. Botfield Clown, W. Duder Otaihape Meat C 0.,. H McDonald Spanish Toreador, M. Thompson Japan R. Miller Quaker Girl, B. Turnbull butterfly, R. Turnbull Gentleman 18th Century, D. McCormick fairy, J. McLennan Court Jester, R. McMillan Punch, M. AlejjJT ander Ancient Greek, J. Wishaw Indian Squaw, A. Hall Hindoo, A. Champion Italian Fisher, C. Dowiing Cricketer, M. Shennan 'Boy Scout, M. Kennedy Fairy, B. Miller Lady 18th Century, J. Miller Prince Charming M. Siddle Gipsy, E. Jones Belgium, S. Smith Jester, C Blcomiield Pirate, L. Shennan Spanish dancer, G. : Shennan Page, A. Clark Red Cross J. Brown Gipsy fortune-teller, S. Gardner middy, A. Thurston Fairy, S. Simm rose* C. Aplin Golliwog, L. O'Leary African, A Addis B'eef-eater H. Green Page, E. Welsh Folly, B. Guldbransen Japan, L. Barry fairy, N. Leahy Highland lass, F. Chippendale Clown, J. Wrightson Gentleman, Freda Sparks, Gypsy, Fred. Sparks, Taihape Daily Times.