FANCY DRESS CARNIVAL.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 301, 22 September 1888, Page 2

FANCY DRESS CARNIVAL.

On Wednesday evening last the Fancy Dress Carnival in connection with the , closing of the Waiorongomai Skating Rink Season, 1888, for which preparation has been made for some time past, took place in the Werahiko Hall, and was a pronounced success. There was a large large attendance, some 80 couples being present, and this was rather more than might be wished for comfort in dancing, but the arrangements were so successfully conducted by the committee that i. those present thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Amongst the gathering were a number of visitors from Te Aroha, Shaftesbury, and the other districts. Much taste was displayed in ths decoration of the Hall, it being fairly transposed almost into a forest dell with ferns and evergreen, which harmonised effectively with the many-coloured costumes of the dancers. Over the stage greetings in gold lettering were artistically arranged, and, viewed from every standpoint, the scene was a very pretty one. The supper, no small feature in the programme, was served at one o'clock, in a manner which reflects credit on the caterer, Mr C, H. Boffey, and his efforts were fully appreciated by the guests. The proceedings opened with rinking, which was indulged in for about an hour byanumberof skaters, mostly in fancy costume, some oF which were very picturesque and original. There were several niggers amongst the number in most extravagant array, and the antics of these gentry afforded a fund of amusement to the spectators. Shortly before nine o'clock partners were chesen for the grand march, which was most successfully conducted by Mr T. Scott, who acted as a mosfc efficient M.C. throughout the evening. Some 36 couples took part in this procession, and the (ffjct of the marching and many other intricate manoeuvres to the strains of martial musio was most pleasing to the eye, nob » hitch being observable throughout the march. After this a good programme of dances was instituted, the music being suppliel by Messrs England (piano), and Greenwood (violin), The following are some of the character costumes worn by the ladies :—: — Miss Ma<v, " Morning " ; Miss Reynolds, " Bridesmaid " ; r.Mrs Jennings, " The Gazette " ; Miss A. Goldsworthy, "Lassie"; Miss I. Munro, " Britannia " ; Miss M. Munro, " Grandpa's Darling " ; Mrs Baskiville, " Mary Qneen of Scots " ; Miss Baski-, ville, "Waiter"; Mrs T. Scott, "Te Akoha. and Ohinemuri News '' ; Mrs A. Scott," White Cross Nurse" ; Miss O'Hanlon, " Irish Peasant," Miss Williams, " Porfsea Poll." Of thegentlemen present, the following appeared in costume :—: — Mr Sims, " Alpire Archer " ; Mr C» Mace, " Hamilton Light Infantry " ; Mr Reid, " Bandsman " ; Mr H. Mace, " Sundowner " ; Mr Kirby, " Mounted Trooper," ; Mr T. Hill, " Minstrel " ; Mr W. Smith, "Highlander"; Mr D. Munro, " Day and Night " ; Mr M. O'Keefe, " Miner just off shift" ; Master E. Smnrdon, "Footballer; Mr A. Edwards, " Minstrel " ; Mr A. Wallace, " Sambo " ; Mr Jennings, " Uncle Jack." The committee of management were Messrs Jennings, D. Wallace, J, Cahill, E. Graves, M. Lovcll (hon. sec,), and A. Edwards (treasurer). A most successful ball was brought to a close at about three a.m.

The following- lines were composed in honour of a young lady whom I met at the Rink Carnival held at Waiorongomai on Wednesday evening : I've seen a host of pretty girls, As life I've travelled through, "With faces fair and forma so rare As pencil ever drew ; But there is one before me now, Like sunlight to the shade, And while my heart it beats within Her memory ne'er shall fade. Her eyes they sltone like pearly drops, From out her lily face, Which wreathed iteelf in witching smiles When she the floor did grace ; And then to see her sylph-like form With step like fawn so light, Made rapture thrill throughout my heart At such a pleasing Bight. And then to see her winning ways, When'er each dance was done, Reminded me of flowrets fair When smiling to the sun ; While all around she threw a look As pure aa is the day, And which for her will gain respect No matter where she stray. And to hear her bird-like voice, With echoes sweet and soft, Doth raise ones thoughts from worldly things To think of things aloft. I would rather boast the purity That's wrapt within her frame, Than be the Sing of England's throne, A,ud boast a famous name. Oh, if her heart is only true Unto her God above, She's worthy to be toasted with Dame Nature's Queens of Love 1 For such a noble looking maid, I've never seen before j A reigning fair without compare, Upon this mortal shore. Now, all the harm that I can wish Is that she may retain Her bonnie face and pleasing form While life it doth remain I And may she when, the trumpet sounds > Upon that blessed shore Be|reigning with the angels bright, In peace for evermore — Is the real wish.of Jim McLiver. Waiorongomai, 21 B t Sept. 1888.

'■ By advertisement it will be seen that the grand thoroughbred horse Cap-a-Pie ha? arrived atTeAroha, and will travel in this district for the season. Full particulars v\ ill be published in a future issue.