FIRE BRIGADE BALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 26, 12 November 1901, Page 2

FIRE BRIGADE BALL.

( Thk nineteenth annunl ball, held under L the auspices of the New Plymouth , Volunteer Fire Brigade, eventuated on > Monday evening, and proved a most unqualified success. Beautiful weather 1 had evidently put people in pleasant ! humour, and the proFpecfc of a good f floor, and first-clans mush, not to menl tion the tempting supper which the - ladies' committee had prepared; all \ this, linked with the fact that the ball ' was in aid of the funds of one of the* , most worthy institutions in New Ply- , mouth; combined to fill the Theatre : Royal with a gay and animated throng of people, young and old. The first ' part of the evening was devoted to the little ones, who attended in strong! force, and entered into the enjoyment of the hour with a heartiness which i , was delightful to their seniors to bei hold. A fair number appeared in fancy costume, and having baon previously coached very carefully by a committee of ladies, the little ones '. acquitted themselves with great credit. There was a large number of onlookers in the dress circle and on the stage, i which had been transformed into n. drawing-room for the time being. The 1 walls of the hall were decorated with various trophies and photographs of scenes appertaining to Fire Brigade matters, which added to the attractiveness of the whole. After the juniors had adjourned to j the supper-room the elder dt'sciphs of i the gentle art of Terpsichore took pis- j session of the floor, and kep 1 ; meiri'y - tripping " the light fantastic t"e " till ■' the early hours of the morn. ' The music, which was excelled, was supplied during the latter part, by VI r McKinnon Bain's orches--ra,and oVing the children's hours by Mrs P Web~ ster, and Misses Humphries, Yat-s, and Hursthouse. The duties of M's.U. were in the capable hands of Lieut-™-: ant Boon, Fireman and Mr E i Humphries, who were most courteous in their attention to the omfort nu--1 enjoyment of everyone. , The genera) arrangements wei\i in the hands of the following kbits' cotmittes: Mesdames E, Dockril), E. M. Smith, ftyaD, P. Welter, H. Yates, Misses Stephenson. Smith, 0. Jacob B>bin, Drake, a-d Ella Hursthouse, who a>e to be congratulated on the successful lawer in ' which tV e supper (which was on a mos 1 ; i lavish scale) was laid out. The fribl's ( were very tastefully decor-iterl hy M.s. P. Webster and Miss Hursthouse. Altogether the ball was cm of thi most s'icc-s*il and enjoy ible held fir ! a long time in New Plymouth, and thi Brigade is to he ro.igr.ituhtrd on such a result, which is most gratifying to all concern?d, and shows that the efforts ' of that deFe»ving hody of volunteer ■ defenders of our prqperty and lives, ''> when occasion should by misfortune J arise, are fully appreciated by th" citizens. <