THE WAIKATO RACE BALL.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 730, 20 February 1877, Page 2

THE WAIKATO RACE BALL.

Thb day after tbe races, on the night of Friday, the 9th inst., a grand subscription ball was given, under the management of the Waikato Turf Club, to which invitations to some 300 persons were issued. The weather was anything but propitious, but something like 120 persons were present. The ball was held m the large ' dining-room of the Commercial Hotel, which was tastefully decorated for the occasion, and made a moßtjcommodious ball-room. An excellent band of music was provided from Auokland by the Turf Club Committee, consisting of piano, violin and concertina, under the direction of Mr Turrell, which was further assisted during a great part of the evening by Mr Culpan, who accompanied them with the flute, Danciug commenced about nine o'clock, and was kept up with great spirit until early the next morning. The floor was the best we have ever had the pleasure of using for such a purpose j indeed, m the early part of the evening until after the first four dances, it was almost too slippery, several couples coming to grief. With a good floor, the best of musio, and an even proportion of partners of either sex— for the night being wet, fewer ladies were present -v*ban gentlemen, and the reverse is usually t"se"*~\ case — the room without being unpleasantly * crowded, presented a brilliant and lively appearance. There are always, o f course, a number of gentlemen present on such occasions who j do not danc9, and for these the billiard-room had been - set apart, and card rooms provided, whioh were more or less patronised during the night. Supper was laid out m the two rooms on either side the passage opposite the ball-room, and it need scarcely be said that, provided by Mr Walkar, it was all that could be desired. It was, m fact, his chef d'ceuvre, and the elegance and gocd taste displayed, as well as tbe choioeness of the viands and the quality of the wines, were the theme of general approval. After all, the supper is a great feature m an entertainment of this kind, and host Walker ably seconded the efforts ' of the committee to please their guests m this particular. The first race ball that has been held m Waikato has, been a deoided -success, and, doubtless, it will not be the last of its kind. On the next occasion, however, we 'trust that the weather may be more propitious. But jor the miserable state of the roads, the rain which fell continually throughout the day, and the violent storm which raged m the evening, there would have been double the number of guests present.