BALL AT MAHAKIPAWA.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 128, 1 June 1908, Page 7

BALL AT MAHAKIPAWA.

•A correspondent furnishes the following account of the Linkwater Defence Rifle Club's fancy dress and masquerade ball held on Tuesday night last. The ball was an unqualified success, and all those connected with the management—which included all'..th6 residents of the district—are to be heartily congratulated on the result of their combined efforts and organisation. The hall was beautifully decorated with nikau palms and flags, and the stage curtained and furnished with the offerings of many homes, for the use of non-dancing ladies. A' tent, erected at the side of the hall, held a generous and abundant supply of good things from near at hand and the furthermost ends of the Sounds. The ball was attended by people from'all parts of tbe^ district, and was the largest gathering ever held there. The prize for the best fancy dress (decided by vote) resulted in a tie between Mrs Barker as "Autumn" and Miss Eileen Storey as '•' Spanish Dancer." Both dresses were-- very pretty. Mrs Richardson was very close up as " Night," and -her representation of the dark was exceedingly good. Miss C. M. Allen, as a " Cullensville Digger," was also good. She wore a slouch hat, with the usual bit of candle and her niiner'^ right, and her white dress was literally hung with nuggets, n, chain of them round her neck, while >i couple on each shoe did duty for buckles. Mrs Coleman was a ''"Housemaid," aud-carried her paraphernalia about with her; Mrs Chapman and Miss Sutton were ". Flower Girls " Among the men, Mr W. Gregg was facili princeps, os "Sairey Gamp." His wonderful "get-up" and capital representation of the world-famed " Sairey " y.t.h the admiration of the whole room. His pathetic appeals to the to transfer the prize to him were immense, and tlip oiTusire- luanner in

which he welcomed "Lord Roberts' 'Mr M Greensill) to New Zealand and offered samples out of the blacl bottle to his friends, just to " keei then- sperrits up," kept everybody amused. Mr P. Sutton was a "High lander," Mr H. Sutton a "Nigger,' Mr W. Goleroan "Night and Day,' Mr W. Neal "Trooper," Mr J Campbell "Cricketer," and Mr J Thompson "Yachtsman." The ball was opened by Mrs Storeywife of the Secretary, and Captain Sehenkel. Mrs Storey wore a handsome dress of bronze brown silk, trimmed with white lace. There were several songs rendered during the evening. The music was supplied by Mr Rutland. Dancing was kept going till "morning did appear." As> there was a quantity of provisions le& over from the ball, the School Committee and Miss Allen were interviewed, and it was resolved to dismiss the school at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, and give the children a treat in the afternoon, with games, and dancing in the hall. All the parents who could possibly attend promise dto do so.