HUNTLY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3018, 17 November 1891, Page 2

HUNTLY.

Foryruu.LKits' Annual Bai.i..-—Ralph's hall was the scene of gay festivity on Friday night (13th inst.), thy occasion being the annual lull given by the Huntly Football Club. The hall was tastefully decorated with native shrubs and ferns and embellished with choice flowers, which had a very pretty effect. The floor was in splendid order, and Hunter's band from Auckland discoursed the choicest music. There were about 40 couples present. The ladies costumes were very becoming, the following being the most noticeable :—Miss Nicol, pink dress, with overskirt of pale green netting and evening bodice to match trimmed with pink roses ; .Miss Sampson, white embroidered dress and pink niching ; .Miss H. 13. Siinnson, pink satin bodice trimmed with flowers and lace, white embroidered skirt ; Miss Robson, pale pink satin bodice and white skirt trimmed with lace ; Miss 11, Robson, pale blue dress trimmed with lace and flowe.-s ; Misses Tattley (U), evening drosses of white lawn trimmed with silk lace and white silk sashes ; Mrs T. White, black lace dress trimmed with cream roses ; Miss Neal, pale [link bodice trimmed with white lace and ribbon, white lawn skirt; Miss Jakeman, Peacock blue satin dress with cream trimmings ; Miss Bruce, amber satin dress with black net overskirt, bodice trimmed with black net and amber ribbon ; Miss Still, cream and white lawn dress, tummed with silk lace, and white silk sash; Mrs Farrell, white evening dress trimmed with lace, white silk bodice trimmed with flowers and lace; Miss McDonald, stylish black cashmere dress with pink silk vest; Miss Tidd, white embroidered dress and trimming to match ; Miss Swan, black silk dress with lace overskirt; Mrs Tattley, brown satin dress trimmed with brown silk lace; Mrs Foote, black silk dress with cream trimming ; Miss O'Connor, grey cashmere dress trimmed with pink trimming; Miss N. O'Connor, pretty white evening dress; Miss Smith, art muslin dress stylishly made ; Mrs Carlyon, evening dress of cream silk, and sash to match ; Miss Turner, vory pretty white evening dresa, pink silk trimming, and white laca ; Mrs A. Gall, pink sateen dress trimmed with lace ; Miss Martin, white lawn dress with pink trimming; Miss Bailey, rich black cashmere dress with cream trimming; Miss Pearce, pink and white evening dress ; Mrs \V. Bond, fawn cashmere dress with trimming to match ; Mrs J. George, black cashmere dross with cardinal sash ; Miss A. Robson, white lawn dress with lace and pale blue satin bodico; Miss F. Jones, cream lawn dress with pink silk sash. It would be a very difficult task to pick the belle of the ball as there were at least half a dozen ladies who might lay claim to that honor. At the conclusion of the first part of the programme a very interesting ceremony took place—the presenting of a handsome banner to the Hnntlv Football Club, the gift of the ladies of Huntly and district. The committee of ladies who had taken the most pi eminent action in the matter ascended the platform, while the footballers mustered in the centre of tho hall, headed by their captain. The banner, which had been jealously guarded from the public gaze, wis then unfurled. It has a dark maroon ground of rich corded silk, with the letters " H.F.C." effectively interwoven in dead gold in the centre. On the right-hand corner aro the dates when the Huntly Club fairly held the championship of the'Waikaco—viz., 1887, ISSB, and 18!)1. A deep gold fringe forms tho border, the banner being mounted on a black crossbar and pole by means of a gold cord with tassels attached. Miss li. ]£, Sampson stepped forward, and in a neat speech handed the banner to Mr L. Harris, jnn. (captain), who advanced to the platform to receive it. Mr Harris, in reply, said that while heartily thanking tiie ladies of Huntly, coupled with the names of the Misses Robson, Misses Sampson, Miss Nicol, and Miss L. Ferguson, he would mention that in former years the Huntly football team was considered one of the strongest outside of Auckland. They bad been victorious during the season recently closed, and he hoped that in the future the sight of the banner and the thought of the ladies who gave it would incite them to victory, and that the Huntly Club would never leave the football field defeated. Three ringing cheers were then given for the ladies, after which there was an adjournment for supper, which proved a great success, thanks to Mrs Batten and her assistants. Dancing was resumed in course, and kept up with great spirit until 4.30 a.m. The promoters aro deserving of great credit for the brilliant success that attended their efforts. Mr J. B. Harris, whose indefatigable exertions very much aided the result achieved, deserves special praise.—A Correspondent.