PUBLIC BALL

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 164, 11 July 1919, Page 6

PUBLIC BALL

; HELD AT TOWN HAIL THOUSAND DANCERS TAKE PART. A BRILLIANT FUNCTION. Tiie larce public ball held in the Town Hall lust night in aid of the funds of [the .Society for the Protection of Women and Children and Prevention of Cruelty ito Animals was a most successful function. This is the second ball held in the Town Hall eince the war ended, the previous one having been of the .same nature, in aid of the Myers Free Kindergarten. ! There- ivere about a thousand dancers ion the floor, in plain, fancy and poster j costumes. The spectators in the gallories and on tlie platform numbered j between 700 and SOO. The ball opened ■ with the grand march at 5.30 p.m., when all those in fancy and poster costumes paraded the hall and carried out highly jspectacular marching evolutions, under the •xnidance of Hiss Daphne Knight. Tho dancers marched in two sets around the sides and then advanced alternately jin site of two, four and eight up the I centre of the floor. The result was distinctly striking, the immense variety of fancy costumes with their brilliant r-olourinir having a very beautiful effect. At the conclusion of the grand march . forty sets of sixteen dancers each, each j.-et arrayed in different fancy costume, 1 wont through the stately evolutions of j the Court Lancers. At this stage of the carnival the effect was singularlygood. The graceful movements of the jdamv woro well carried out, and a little distinctive touch was added by each set ito bring the movements more in keeping nvith their individual costumes. Thus a set dressed as North American Indians j went through the movements of the jl-rand Chain in characteristic fashion; a I Dutch set added quaint bobbing bows land hold Their wide dresses out at the sides; a Pierrot set bowed in true Pierrot fashion with outstretched arms; and an OIJ Kngli-h set went through all the movements of the dance with studied stateiiness. J Following the lancers, for which those (taking parr were very heartily applauded, the ordinary dancing commenced, and those who were not in fancy dress were free to take part. The programme consisted of waltzes, fox trots, onesteps, and another set of lancers. The prize for the best lancers set was awarded to those dressed as American Indians, the second prize being awarded to tlie Dutch set. A soldier dressed half in uniform and half in bridal attire got the prize for the most original man's poster costume, while a lady dressed as a Persian won the ladies' prize in the same class. During the evening a set consisting of two doves and Santa Claus, followed by the other poster costumes, marched to the platform, and the two ""doves"' presented tlie master of ceremonies with a donation of £10 10/ for their "brother animals."' Woriuerfully good work was done by the Ladies' Committee which was responsible for the decorations of the hall. The main hail was festooned with red, white, and blue streamers, and an abundance of greenery and flags added to the i excellent effect obtained. The supperroom was also tastefully decorated with greenery and flowers. Until the returns of amounts collected by the various ticket-sellers are available tlie total sum realised will not be known. jit is expected, however, that a very substantial amount will result.