Aparima Lodge Oddfellows Annual Ball.

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 17, 22 August 1905, Page 2

Aparima Lodge Oddfellows Annual Ball.

A SPLENDID SUCCESS. The 1.0.0. F. Aparima Lodge are to be congratulated on the hold they have m this district, and they are deserving of all encouragement. The aims of Friendly Societies are the highest that appeal to all that is noble and kind m our natures. They inspire a common bond of brotherhood, they unite for the alleviation of suffering, they are conduoive to thrift, and they provide the means of sustenance m many a home where the head of the house and bread-winner has been out off. A Friendly Society is what, m justice, every man m a community should belong to, and the Aparima Lodge fulfills, m this district, all that a first-class strong financial benefit society should do. As a little re« laxation to the usual routine of the society's work, the committee wisely consider that social intercourse is a good thing to intersperse with the more serious affairs of life, and so we find the time of their annual ball has again come round, and has been as successful as m previous years. THE BALL was held m the Otautau Town Hall on Friday evening last. The night was very cold, but that did not prevent a large number from attending, visitors being present from far and near, and local residents were also well represented. The room was very prettily decorated with flags and ferns, whioh harmonised well with the regalia of the oddfellows and the dresses of the ladies. The floor was m good order, but the space was too small to allow of dancing being made a comfort* During the evening excellout musio was provided by Miss Gardinor (piano), F. B. King (cornet), and Messrs Egan Bros, (violins), and it is needless tQ say left nothing to be desired. The proceedings commenced about 9 o'clock with the Grand March, which was led off hy Mr M. Gonley and Miss Mcintosh, followed by about QO) couples. The duties of M'sO. were entrusted to Mr Geo, Tennant and N. McFadzien, and under their guidance everything went off without a hitch. An energetic committee, consisting of all the oddfellows, had left no stone unturned to make the ball a suooess, and that their efforts were rewarded was made evident by the large number who were present. During the evening songs were sung by Messrs Gonley, Turnbull and Scatter, while Mr A* MoDonald danced a Highland Fling. The supper was laid out m a huge marquee erected at the back of the hall, and the catering was m the hands of Mr. H. Culling, the we\U I known baker of Otautau. The arduous duties of secretary were carried out by Mr W. Dimmock, who, with tbe committee, are to be congratulated on the suocess of their efforts. Dancing was kept up till a late hour m the morning, when all departed thoroughly satisfied * with their evening's enjoyment,