FIRE BRIGADE BALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 3, 4 June 1913, Page 4

FIRE BRIGADE BALL.

A BRILLIANT FUNCTION. For years past the Fire Brigade Ball has been the outstanding success among" the terpsichorean gatherings of the year, and each succeeding one surpasses the success achieved by its predecessor. Last night's ball did not depart from • this, as it quite eclipsed, for brilliancy and effect, both artistic and financial, all its predecessors. There is always a fascination' about children at play, and this was intensified last night, when sometwo hundred youngsters were seen gaily attired, some in beautiful dainty dresses, others in gorgeous array, strikingly arranged for originality and effect. It was, , indeed, a charming sight when the chil* dren, headed by a strikingly realistic model of H.M.S. New Zealand, suitably illuminated, went through the intricate mazes of the grand march, in which they had been trained by Misses Clark, Kirkby and Bedford; now beneath the,electrit • light, and again beneath a light so'dif' fused_thrqugh blue globes as to give a Knobnlight effect; The scene, vfereed-frojn > the crqwded stage, showing the of the jvjvenjle dancers on the floor; with the densely packed ' dress circle in the background, must bare been distinctly gratifying to Superintendent F. C. J. Bellringer and the members of the Fire Brigade, and particularly to the energetic committee that has, year in and year out, with occasional additions. to, its numbers, undertaken 1 the'"' arrangements. Mrs. Dockrlll's organising*- .• capabilities are well-known, and it " in a, large measure due to them that this ball has reached the position it has. The general committee comprised the following ladies:—Mesdames EJ. DofkyilT (president); ,G. W. Browne', Hi. J. Okey,' l ) F. C. Bellringer, R., Jury, W. j. White, ■ Back, Hardwick, Day, J. Clark, Prior, F. E. Clark, H. Mobn, A'. Coleman, H, Incli, W. Sadler, Sullivan, Kivell. E. MSmith, .T. Richards and Lambert, and' Misses B.nlford, Kirkby, Clark, Brown*' and A. Blair. f

The. decorative scheme, an oriental effect. was arranged and supervised by Mr. H. Brooks, who had a staff of willinghelpers. The children had the floor during the first two or three hours, and enjoyed Wiemselves thoroughly, music bfeing played by Mrs. A. George and Misses ■ ' George, Bedford, Kirkby and Clark. At the conclusion the youngsters were regaled by the ladies at a sumptuous sup- , per, provided by the ladies of New Ply- \ mouth.

The fancv costumes were so numerous and of such excellent design and. execution that the judges, Mesdames E, A. Walker. W. H. Moyes and H. Fookes, had quite a task in selecting the prize winners, which were .as follows: Posters.—Boys: Sydney Ha vden, 'The Walking Chemist." Girls: Winnie Fulman, 'Advance New Plymouth." and Violet Doughty," Standard Tea,"' were equal, and Mrs. E. A. Walker gave an extra prize. < , Best Fancv Dress.—Girls: Annie Rae, "Night." Boys: Baden Bellringer, "Coster."

Most OriginqJ Costume.—Girls: Gladys Smith, "Billiard Table,'f Boys: Edwin , Jiirv, "The Mad Hatted"

Best Fancy Dress, for child Under 10 ypars, awarded by the Mayor and Mayoress.—Girls: Ivy Donghtv, "Rooster," and Dorothv Hall, "Mermaid," equal. Mrs. A. E. Walker gave an extra prize. Boys: .Leonard Smith, "Black and White Pierrot."

Four special prizes, given by Mr. E. Gilmour, were awarded to Dorothv Hall, "Mermaid"; Bervl Lobb, "Cupid"; Honor Moon. '*Cat"; and Phvllis Harvey "Pink Roses." A special prize was also awarded Miss Maridean Moon as "Golden Grain Ten."

Mr. J. Paton. chairman of the >JVw Plymouth Fire Board, in presenting the prizes, stated that it gave li}m great pleasure to do ro, as he considered that one of the most pleasant thines in life was to see the young peonle eniov themselves. and it must he verv gratifying to the members of the Volunteer Fire Brifflde to see their lrn.ll well supported by +he public. He honed that as lone an there wfis a volunteer hriimde here there would be nn annual hull. He thanked the iudges, and narHeularlv eon- • gratulated Mrs. Dockrill nnd her 'ndies' commit,too. and ulso nil thn«f> wlio helped to make the bnll'snch n snecew. The adults then had the ealt on the floor, and danced till t)i» eorlv hotirq of the niornincr to the insoi|itinsr stains of - Mrs. George's orchestra, snve for a welcome, break for supner. the table* for which hnd been tasteful! v decorated hv Mrs. F. E. Clark nnd Miss Clark. Lieut. Bonn. Firemen Wav and' Courtenav. as M,' s " ,e ' w " moving merrily. The financial results will, it, is expected. exceed those of last rear's ball.