LANNIGAN'S BALL.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2895, 27 May 1878, Page 2

LANNIGAN'S BALL.

At the Tapxj Public Hall.

(PBOM A COBEESPO2TDENT.)

The 24th of May being the anniversary of the birth of her Most Gracious Majesty, is always looked forward to by the rising generation of the ancient city 6f Tapu ; but on nb-previous bccasioi£djJ our lads and lassies go so eagerly to work to get up a night's enjoyment in the mazy dance as on this occasion. For some days before the grand event our spruce young: lads (got up to kill) might be seen stealing off to the bower 9 of their favoured ones, and using all their persuasive, eloquence for the honor of her especial company. Everything went on swimmingly till the eleventh hour. All were a* merry as could be, when the arrival of, a fresh guest threw the aristocratic portion .of the ladies into the utmost confusion, and caused their speedy retirement from the gay assemblage. ,■>.. ". ' ./? 'B /

Before proceeding with my ? narrative it will be necessary "to explain that a slight misunderstanding has for some con* siderable time existed between the good folk of Emerald Cottage and their neighbors of Lancashire Villa; and the.cause ,pf : the speedy retirement of the former ladies was the arrival of their antagonists. No persuasion on the part of the boys could induce them to remain; consequently, it was arranged to have a~ select ball (ladies by invitation only) on next evening. To make everything secure, one plucky young fellow voluntereed to be at the necessary expense of paying for the private use of the hall, and arranged with a committee roan t(y get the exclusive rights and privileges, and deposited a Colonial Robert to bind the bargain. Now, any ordinary mind would consider that every necessary precaution had been used,and everything would be-wonderfully select; but, alas for human arrangements, the enemy was at work, and wbat was to be supremely select, ended in a regular Lannigan's Ball. At the appointed hour of opening the obnoxious visitors made their appearance determined to do or die. On demanding admittance, the marshals of the opposition faction were, politely informed that the entertiinmeut wrs select, and in. proof of same ~ the y^ry ~ generous young man produced his receipt for a tob,^ which he maintained, entitled him t> all" the rights and privileges of that ancient and noble edifice for that particular evening. "On the other side, Bullion contended that the hall being public property, no person hcd the power to monopolize it. It now became evident that persuasion was useless, and, the party in possession commenced qu'etly to remove their superfluous togging. The scene now baffles description; the shouts of the enraged, blended with the screams of the fair ones* formed a regular pandemonium. A happy thought to save the young blcod now C3curred to the marshal, and it was unanimously agreed on to end the matter by appointing two champions from each side —the opposition were represented by Bullion and Kooster, and the aristocracy Howick and Lively, each man being provided with every necessary assistance as used in the noble art of self-defence. Lively; polished off his man in three rounds, bunging up his peepers, but Bullion had a tougher job with Howick, and it took half an hour 10 finish him. Ihis being a drawn battle they thought t.D have a step for a change, but same unpleasant remarks having being made on Howick's claret face the room was again cleared and shindy No. 2 commenced, resulting in three more sore heads. The ladies, determined not to lose their sport again, put in an appearance, and after an interval of half an hour, to allow time for the application of raw b jcf and sticking plaster, dancing was again commenced; but the opposition again taking their places* a general row now was the order—'twas woman to woman and man to man,'for the rows and the ructions now began—and thus "ended Lannigaa's Ball at the Tapu HalL-