GERALDINE ODDFELLOWS' FANCY DRESS BALL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1946, 21 September 1889, Page 2

GERALDINE ODDFELLOWS' FANCY DRESS BALL.

The fancy dress ball, under tike auspices of the Victoria Lodge, No. 19, 1.Q.0.F., Greraldine, took place in the "Volunteer Hall, Geraldino, on Thursday evening last. About two o'clock in the afternoon heavy and bitterly cold rain set in from the sou' west, and continued till about six p.m. This, no doubt, considerably lessened the attendance, but in spite of this there were a great many present. The ball committee threw themselves into the work with a will, and as a consequence the arrangements made were very complete. The hall was decorated to the extent that it has seldom been before. A dray load of ferns fronds, varying in length from 6ft to Bft were procured from the JTakahu bush, and these were nailed up all round the walls. The lamps were decorated with ferns and evergreens, and from these were suspended Chinese lanterns. Ohiiese lanterns were also suspended from various parts of the roof, Th© windows were draped,with long muslin curtains, and flags were placed at intervals round the walls. Supper was laid on long tables on the stage, and these were divided off from the other parts of „the room by tall fern fronds being nailed to the front of the stage. A small stage was placed in the middle of the floor for the musicians, and this had a small ti tree at each corner and ferns all round it. The appearance of the room as a whole, .with the bright and varied colors of the picturesque dresses of the dancers set off againsfc the dark background of ferns, was very pleasing to the eye. At the north end of the hall a number, of seats were placed for the convenience of the public, who were admitted to see the festivities on the payment of one shilling. A large number took advantage of this arrangement,, and no doubt many more would have been* present but for the cold and wet. A number of the dancers came from i Timaru. The refreshment tables were under the charge oi Mesdames J. Pye, a. H, ■ Patrick, W. Patrick, and

T. Bowkett, who were kept busily engaged during the evening. Mr W. Patrick made a very efficient M.C., and Messrs Levens and Goodwillie, Temuka, supplied the music. The grand march took place shortly after nine o'clock, and, as the dancers promenaded the room, it was seen that gome of the dresses were indeed fanciful. One of the prettiest dresses was Miss Beattie's, who appeared as" May Queen." Mrs J. W. Pye represented " Night" very effectively in a black dreßS studded all over with silver stars. vMiss Byrne looked exceedingly well as "Ta" Gipsy Fortune Teller, and Miss &. Byrne made a dashing young "Naval." Miss Taylor appeared as " Madeline," in a very effective costume. Miss Parker took the character of "Gretchen" with a dress that Buited her admirably, and Miss Gripp, in a very pretty costume, appeared as "Nancy Lee." Miss Ward, as " lacroyable," attracted much attention, and Miss P. Ward, as " Esmeralda," wore a very fanciful coßtume. Miss Mary Patrick was dressed as a " Flower Girl." Mrs Boughton was effectively dressed as " The Fair Maid of Perth," and Mrs J. Dean appeared as a "Hospital Nurse." The remainder of the ladies were dressed in the usual ball dress. Among the gentlemen there were also some very fanciful and expensive costumes. The following were among the characters represented: —"Jockey," Mr B. E. Macdonald; "Eighteenth Century Geatleman," Mr J. W. Pye; " Spanish Student," Mr J. J. Hißkens; \"ltalian Ceunt," Mr T. J. Lewis; " Pirate King," Mr T. H. Jackson; "Gondolier," Mr W. Stonehouse; "Baker," Mr E. Hardy; "Naval,". Mr W. Patrick; " Old English Gentleman," Mr A. Erskine; "Sir Walter Kaleigh," Mr hmail; " Lieutenant," Mr H. Nicols; "Negro," Mr F. Worner; " Clown," Mr Baughen (Timarn); " Duke of the Washdyke," Mr Shea; " Chinaman," Mr J. • Tindall; «' Footballers," Messrs ~W; Pye and W. Brinkman; "Cyelist," Mr D. Lewis; "Volunteer," Mr G. H. Patrick. A number of persons I were also present as " Gentlemen of the Period."