THE VOLUNTEER BALL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 9411, 27 May 1882, Page 3

THE VOLUNTEER BALL.

Owing to the lateness of the hour we were unable to give a detailed account of the above ball in our lost issue and we now hasten to make the amende honorable. It should not have been forgotten that the hall has been considerably improved and enlarged lately, about 22 feet having been added to it and a capital permanent stage erected. On the stage was the refreshment table, presided ever by Mr L. Tombs, the genial host of the Arowhenua Hotel, and Mrs Tombs, whose untiring zeal to please was commendable. The supply of provisions was both abundant and excellent, and everyone was satisfied The decorations were most artistic, the addition made to the hall gave plenty of room for dancing, the music oi Mr Stratton’s Quadrille Band was all that could be desired, and on the whole a moat enjoyable evening was spent. There were about 60 couples present, and dancing was kept up unflaggingly until about 6 o’clock the following morning. Shortly after 1 o’clock the first part of the programme was concluded, and the interesting ceremony of .distributing the prizes took place. The prizes were arranged on a table in the centre of the hall, and many of them very excellent j articles. Captain Young said, after the Volunteers had stood up in rank and file order, that he felt very glad at being present, as he had been on many * previous occasions at their annual presentation of prizes. He felt very thankful to the people of Temuka for their liberality in giving annually their donations to the prize fund, and felt sure that Volunteers would always show themselves worthy. Mrs Young then distributed the prizes in the order in which they were given in our last issue. At the close of the distribution of the prizes, Private Q. Mason was presented with a very handsome clock by Mrs Young, on behalf of the members of the Company, in recognition of his services as secretary to the corps. Captain Young, in announcing that the presentation was to be made, referred in very flattering terms to Private Mason, and said the members of the corps had presented him with the testimonial because they believed he had done his duty. Private Mason, in reply, said he was very much surprised. He had been told he had made some serious mistake, and when called he thought it was to correct his blunder. He felt very thankful to his brother Volunteers for their kind recognition of his services. The testimonial they had presented him with showed ha had done his duty, and he would promise them to work in the future more zealously than he had done in the past. A vote of thanks to Mrs Young, proposed by Sub-Lieutenant White, was carried by acclamation. Captain Young responded on behalf of Mrs Young, and said it was a great pleasure to Mrs Young to be present. He next called for three cheers for those who had subscribed towards the prizes, which was enthusiastically responded to, after which the ceremony came to an end, and dancing was resumed.