PALACE ROLLER SKATING RINK.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXII, Issue 173, 25 July 1888, Page 2

PALACE ROLLER SKATING RINK.

By invitation from Mr Donnolly, the proprietor, a very large number of visitors attended tho new rink in Bridge-street last night;, and very general was the satisfaction expressed that such a means of affording healthy reoreation hrid been established in Nel»on, The rink consists of, or ratber has swallowed up, the building known as the Nelson Aootioa Booms, whioh has been extjutively added to both in length and breadth, the former being now 130 and the latt«r 43 fe^t, a roiled platform sit the wfs'ertt si- c «od fiouthorn end reducing the rinking enrface to lOfift x 3 lf . The flior, inttdo of mg pine, is a splendid o.e f >r tupnrponc, and tha means of ventilation arc excflkn 1 , and Mr Somerviile, tho archi'ect, and Mr A. Brown, tne contractor, are lo be congratulated upon the manner in which tho metamorphosis haa beon planned ami carriel out. The building was last night gaily and tastefully decorate} with flags, bannerets, and Obineae lanterns, and some time before S o'clock, tha bonr appointed for the opening, tho pla'form w»b packed, nnrf the portico was filled with a disappointed crowd, who were unablo to obfaio a glimpse of the sketing exhibition, la tho absenoo of iho Mayor, who was confined to the bouse by a severe cold, Lieut-Cclonel Pit 1 ; was asked to open the rink, whioh he did, not by taking a lum round on the rollers, but with a neat liotla eperch, iv. wbioh he referred to the great advantages to be derived from such a healtii promoting exercise as rinking, spoke in high tartne oC tho excellence of tho building and all the arrangements connected with it, congratulated Mr Donnolly on his enterprise, and wished him avery Bucoess in hia speculation. Mr Dounolly replied, and aftar thanking Colonel Pitt for the compliment paid to him, assured all present that the comfort and convenience of the visitors would always be carefully studied, and that they would find everything conducted in a thoroughly orderly manner, Mr Gibson then showed what could be done by a proficient oa the rollers, and he cer. tainly excited the Admiration and envy of all who had in view the idea of takiag advantage qt the faoilitiea for enjoying bo fftßoiaatiag a raorefttion which Mr Donnolly has placed at tbejr ditposal, The applause whioh greeted Mr Gibaon'a clever performs anoes was lond and f roquant, and there were many who oonld have watohed hia graceful movaments with pleasure for another hour a* least. Thia gxbibition over, the visitors began to bnokl«on the skatas and very Boon th« floor was thoroughly wall patroniaed, eorae of the skaters displaying admirable graoe and *ace in their movements, and aom« the contrary, as might very well have been exp'jotcd. It was surprieing, howey*or f to

nets the growing confidence of thft novices after only an hour's praotic, und we o^n eafely prediot that the rink will coon become a very popular report. The Garrison Ban^ performed during the evsnin^ anrf, we unde/atand, have been engaged to pl,>y on

-Iter-ate evenings for some week 3. The musio, of course, tended to add very greatly to tho spirit, of the soene. A largo number of !»difs and young girls put the skates on this morning and despite the very considerable number of tumbles all appeared to enjoy tbemsslves immensely. The rink will alfo be open in the afternoon and evening, and to-ni'jht Professor Gibaou will give fttsoher exhibition o£ his skill.