MASTERTON RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4165, 15 July 1892, Page 3

MASTERTON RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

Annual Ball, The annual ball of the Maalerton Eiflo Volunteers, held in the Drill Hall last night, may be briefly described as a brilliant success from every point of view, Under the able direction of Captain Pownall, Lieutenants Hooper and Malcolm and Secretary Eton (the latter officer coming in for plenty of hard work), the Hall was most elaborately decorated with evergreens and scenery, the walU being adorned with pictures and racks of side firms as fitting emblems of a military gathering of the kind. Numerous flags and banners suspended from the rafters and gracefully drooped about the building shaded and softened the light from the gaß jets, and gave to the whole a gay and festive appearance. The floor—to a ml working committcowaß polished like a mirror and when once the full force Mr A. von Keisenberg's string band was let out upon the assemblage the wonder is that the very chairs did not waltz away ol their own accord, The music—all of which

was selected by Mr A', von Keisonfcerg— was indeed par excellmee and Masterton is fortunate in having a musician of such undoubted ability as Mr Keisenberg and doubly fortunate in the fact that he has been abl« to get together such a powerful and compact orchestra including all the most finished instrumentalists in the Wairarapa, At half past eight Bharp the ball opened with a preliminary Grand March, by Pearson's brass band, close on a hundred couples taking part in it, Prom thenceforward until four this morning dancing was kept up with spirit, no one seeming to flag at all, the hall being delightfully cool the exertion was not felt to any extent. Evjbif one did get a little fatigued ii wOTflly necessary to lake a look into the supper room where a repast fit for the gods was laid invitingly out by that veteren Masterton caterer Mr James Wickens, who on this occasion simply beat all his previous efforts at supplying refreshment for the inner man, ' Lust night's gathering was certainly a feather in the cap of the Masterton liiflcp' popular captain, and & credit to the corps generally. While such enthusiasm is displayed and such interest taken in volunteer matters, there is little fear of our local defenders falling away from their present high position amongst the volunteer corps of this Colony, Wo might mention that amongst the visitors present were several representatives of tbe Eketahana, Taueru and other Rifle Clubs.