THE HOSPITAL BALL.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 143, 21 June 1881, Page 2

THE HOSPITAL BALL.

The new Hospital at Newtown was opened last night by a grand ball. Preparations for tho affair were actively engaged in for some time previously, and the event was anticipated with the liveliest feelings on the part of terpsichorean devotees in the neighbourhood of this city. The ball opened shortly after half-past 8 o'clock, by which time vi-itora began to arrive in largo numbers. Between the Hospital and the tramway on Adelaide Road— a distance of a few hundred yard& — numerous vehicles of divers descriptions plied on, the arrival of every tram ; but as the night was calm and fair, many preferred to perform the short journey on foot, especially as the road was adequately illuminated by means of a line of lamps. Ushered within the large substant'al looking building, the visitors found that every care had been taken to give them a welcome reception. The gentlemen were shown iuto a couple of roama leading into one another, where they divested themselves of their superfluous habiliments, while the ladies were conducted tt a commodious cloak room at another extremity of tho building, in which their wants were attended to by a sufficient number of willing bands. Leading off from the long, spaei >ud corridor, were several rooms, one or! which was eet apart as a ball-room, and another, of equal dimensions, as a supper-room. The windows of these rooms opened on. to open enclosures, decorated with Chinese lanterns, where fountains played, and to which those visitors repaired who wished to enjoy a few miifutea' respite from the mazy

dance. Thon there were two small rootna on the opposite side of the oorridor whioh wero devoted to the use of lovers of cardplaying, whilo at either end of the postage refreshment bars were erected. The assemblage was estimated to comprise close upon 50J ladies and gentlemen. The gathering was so large, in fact, as to considerably interfere with the dancing, the salon not being sufficiently capacious to accommodate, the whole of those present. "Camions, 1 consequently, became the rule rather than the exception ; but, in spite of this draw* back, dancing waß kept up with the greatest possible spirit for many hours. The scene, indeed, was one of animation and splendour. Many of the Indies' costumes were of a complete and costly description, and in elegant taste. Music of a satisfactory kind was provided by four or five instrumentalists, and the dances wore well selected, following one another in nicely-ordered succession. Shortly before' midnight the salle-d-manger was thrown open, and tho array of edibleß and other refreshments was of a truly imposing and appetising character. Contributions consisting of wines, &0., were receivedfrom Mcbsm. A. Baker, J. Joseph. E. Pearce, J. S. M. Thompson, W. Taylor, Dr. Diver, J. Maginnity, J. Montoith, Kempthorno, Prossor and Co., W. and G. Turnbuil and Co., F. A. Krull, and J. Liohtsoheindl. Tho affair was safely be described as a most pronounced snocess, and will doubtless live long in tho memory of those who experienced the pleasure of attending the ball. To the committee of ladies and gentlemen who exerted themselves so strenuously to attain this rosult must be accorded much commendation j while thanks are also due to the gentlemen just named for their very acceptablo donations, no less than to Mesdames Hadfield and Rolleston for thoir pecuniary assistance, to Mr. and Mrs. Vossolor for presents of confeotienery, to Mrs. Mason, of tho Hutt, for a handsome present, to Mr. Lichtscheindl for table ornamonts, and Mr. D. i Ashor for the use of Chinese lanterns and so forth. His Exoellenoy and Lady Gordon wero not present, as had b«en expeoted, but Government House was represented by Captain Knollys and Sir Arthur Gordon's private secretary, and the Ministry was represented by the Hon. W. W. Johnston, the Post-master-General. Tho proceeds of the ball, which are to bo devoted to the convalescent fund of tho Hospital, ought to amount to a considerable sum. It Bhould bo added that the eatables were furnished by the lady members of the oom* mittee. Mr. Staples rendered valuable assistance by lending a horse and cart together with the services of a driver for the whole day. '1 ho programmes wero presented by Mr. K. E. Collins. Amonsr other presents Bhould also bo mentioned a load of firewood from Councillor Brown. Tho officials of the Hospital also lent valuable and gratuitous assistance towards making, tho affair a success. The lighter delicacies remaining f rOtri l&tib night aro to bo givon to tho present inmatorf of the Hospital, while tho more substantial viands aro to bo distributed among tho poor of the city.