FAREWRLL BALL BY THE OFFICERS OF H.M. 2-18th REGIMENT R.I.

New Zealand Herald, Volume VII, Issue 1901, 18 February 1870, Page 3

FAREWRLL BALL BY THE OFFICERS OF H.M. 2-18 th REGIMENT R.I.

On Wednesday evening Lieut.-Colonel Elliott and! tlio officers of the 2nd Battalion 18f.h Kegims'ifc gave a farewell ball, in the Symondsstreet Music Hall. Some two hundred and fifty invitations were issued, about two hundred and thirty of which were accepted. '.Che following is it list, as carefully prcpinvd as possible, of those who were present:— Sir Gorge and Lady Bowcn ; Sir Q-. Arnoy ; Mr. Atlcyns ; Mr. and Mrs. Bcekham ; Mr., Mrs., and Miss Browning ; Colonel Balneavis and (2) Misses BalneavU; Captain aud Mrs. Burton ; Mrs. and (3) Misses Br'.dgcn ; Mr. Brodie ; Mr. Benin ; Mrs. and 2 Misses Connell; Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain ; Mrs. A. Churton; Mrs. and (2) Misses Cootes; Mr. A. Contes ; Mr. H. Coates ; Mr., Mrs., and Miss Corbett; Mr. Carey; Mr. Cleghorn; Mr. Coates ; Dr. and BHss Dyer; Mr. and Mrs. Dargaville ; Captain and Mrs. Daveney ; Mr. Dunuage ; Mr.Dacre; Mr.Dawson ; Capt. and Mrs. Eyre; Mr. Everest; Mr. and 3frs. Farmer; Mr., Mr?., and Miss Fairbum ; Miss Govett; Mr. and Mrs. Gillos ; Mr. Grcerson; Dγ , Mrs., and (2) Misses Homo ; air. and Mrs. Heaphj; Mr. and Miss Hulme; Mrs. Hetlcy; Mr., Mrs., Miss, and Mr. P. Hamley ; Miss Hamlm; Mr. Huddleston ; <Mr. Heath.; Mr., Mis , Misses (2), and Mr. Isaacs; Mr. Innes;;jMr., Mrs., and Mr. Ibbetson; Mr. and Mrs. Jones; Misses Kenny (2) ; Mr. Kecldell; Mr., Mrs., and Miss Lisle ; Mr., Mrs., and Miss Lascellc3; Mr. Lenrmouth ; Colonel and Mrs*. Xyon ; Mr. Lawlor ; Hon. D. McLean ; Mr. Moore , Mr. and Mrj. Mitford; Mre., Miss, and Mr. A. Macdonald; Miss Must; Captain and Mrs. Machell; Mr. and Mrs. MeKellar; Mr., Mrs., and (2) Misses Macfarlane ; Mr. Mulloy ; Colonel, Mrs., and Miss Nation; Mr. Newbry; (3) Misses Nathan; Mr. Nixon ; Mrs. and Miss Ormsby; Mr., Mrs., Mr., and (2) Misses Outhwaite; Captain Pitt; Major Paul; Mrs. and Miss Ridings ; Mr. J. Russell; Mr., Mrs., and (2) Miss Rosltruge ; Mr. and Mrs. Heath; Mr. Swainson; Mrs. and Mies Shepherd; Mr: and Mrs. Stevenson; Hon — Virlan ; Mr. and Mrs. Ton Der Heydc; Mr., Mrs., and Mr. P. Whitakcr; Mr., Mrs., (2) Misses, and Mr. Williams ; Mrs. and Miss Wynyard ; Mr., Mrs., and Miss Woodhouse ; Mr Weetman. •' The decorations of the dancing room were completed under the supervision and direction of Captain Wray, on whom appears to have fiillen the principal portion of the preliminn-y preparations, no light task to be undertaken at any time, but more especially on tbis occasion when only about one day was allowed for their completion. The Hall on eitherside was tape-tried with the flags of the vai'idus volunteer i'orps in Auckland, while under eachwindow was hung a. shield with the motto of the regiment, or some simiinr device. Over the eutrmee door, at the lower end of room wove placed the royal arms, on either side of which, on bauneroles wore displayed* stars made up of bayonets aud ramrods bound together in the .middle by garlands of roses. These were surmounted by a large royal standard on the one side and the blue ensign, on the other, which were drawn aside in festoons in the middle to allow the band to lie visible. The steps of the scats at the other mid of the building were carpeted and led into an :inlc-rooni, which was lnvl out with tables covered with li<iht refreshments. Immediately iti front of the choir, the regimental colours were placed crosswise, a'.d supported by rilles and swords, nnd behind them were placed easy chairs for the accommodation of Sir Gcorg.: and Lady Bowen, and their immediate friends. A novelty was introduced at this ball which met with the approbation of all present, namely a sort of conservatory or greenhoii3o" artificially got up and lighted by Chinee lumps and small variegated glass lamps. Much taste was displayed in the arrangement of this department, Capt. Toppin and Mr. Hiiy (nurseryman) having made the very most of the limited space at their disposal. Lhe various posts which supported the tent roof were made to represent the trees and shrubs of > T ew Zealand, and in the recesses between eacli a scat was placed, giving it :v i appearance of so many alcoves. The rtimeers found t.liia a most, agreeable lounge between I ho dances, and during tins night—;i most beautiful one. by the bye -it was never entirely deserted. On the other side of the h:iU :i large tent had been erected for a supper room the entire length of the buil ling, ami cover: laid for some one hundred guests, with ample provision for thrice that number. The viands witc prepared entirely at the moss, nivl reflect, credit upon the cuisine. The ices which had boon procured for this Occasion *• ere quite :i treat, to those who have been lon;,' absent, from the old country, and were eagerly sought ni'U'r. The programme was a well-selentcd mid well-anvir.goil one, nnd the bund of this v. «i-: uioiit, which is the finest -ive, perhaps, for had in the colony, played, pcrlinps, the last lini , ! in iVew Zealand. The performances of I lie j 18th Hand arc among the mementoes which Will by most missed ;.fter their departure, and (iri cipally <y our fnir friends, to whom it whs an attraction at ils weekly performances in the open iiir. The dres-es of the Indies' were principally such us t-uited the stute of the weather, being mostly tarlalan or muslin, in every in.-liinw worn with long trains and trimmed with ribbon. The prevailing, an.'l evidently fashionable, color for trimmings was green, probably ill honour t> " Ould Inland." 'The head- ■ iresses ns usual wjre in various styles, but that technically lsnown as the Waterfall, found most favor with tlio younger portion. As a rule, the intention appeared to be to dress as plainly »3 possible, and this was really the most, tasteful style that could have been adopted. The palm of belle ship was divided between two Indies, one a bride, aud the otliur the daughter of an officer holding the rank of

'Mojov, both of whom were dressed in white satin. It may be a relic of old fashion to j niontion this, Imt we confess to a liking !•> old risiliionc-l limmiis, iiikl in the opii:: ;) of vour lv.porlor, t!ic latter lii-.ly v.-p.s 1 ho " i'ollc of Uie • Dnnoitij; cjuunon.-.-l s!i Jf .!v :! - tcT ::i:w \ o'clii<-l<. <ir C.eorge Buwcn opening tho bivll wifli Mrs. Hartley, r.ml was Lopt u/i TinfiJ hnlf ? :>. S ( t-.v<.'vo. •.,•!:•• HV >.■;:„■[ ~f (i-.L-Beef ot OUI Kngland," imoi ilr. Q.uiuns corner, sent all to the siijifer room. After supper Colonel l'!.i..,rn' iulilivssini; liis «m:.*|.s said : Fill, your glasses, ladies anil gentlemen. The toast lam about to propose you doubtless «ll anticipate. Therefore without preface I give the health ofher Sovereign Majesty the Queen, God bless her. The toast was received with three times throe. Colonel Ellioit proceeded to the next toast. He said : This toast, like its predecessor, ladies and gentlemen, requires no comment. Her Majesty forbids us conveying praise or censure to our superiors ; therefore, without further comment, I have to nrapose the health of His Excellency the Governor. Drunk with tho usual honors. Sib Or. P. BowEy, in reply, said: Colonel EUiott, ladies and gentlemen, I thank you sincerely ior tho very kind manner in whiuh my health has been proposed and received by you all. I know that before we separate you will bo sorry indeed not to drink the health of our gallant hosts, Colonol Elliott a-.cl the officers of the 18th Royal Irish, who have entertained us so munificontly to-night. Of this distinguished regiment I will only say that it will maintain the high reputation it has already earned in every part of the globe—Europe, Asia and Africa — before they came to Australasia. I will therefore only propose the health of those true officers and gentlemen who during the last seven years have endeared themselves to all classes of this communityWithout further preface I give you tho health of Colonel Elliott and the officers of the regiment. Three hearty cheers were given, and then three more for Mrs. Elliott and the officers of the regiment. Colonel EixiOTTm reply said : Your Excellency ; ladies, and gentlemen, I beg on behalf of the regiment, and for myself also to return my and our thanks for the honor you have .just done us ; Sir George Bowen for proposing and you for receiving the toast so war t ly. I will not detain you, but will address a few words to tho ladies and gentlemen, belonging to the Royal Irish, because there is a toast which, we alone on this question twe priviliged to drink. I may best explain what I mean when I say that ti3 an officer, ray lips are sealed eo far as praising a Governor. But in his privilege eapaoity as an Eng'ish gentleman, I need not tell the society of Auckland hov freely Sir George Bowen has entertained us, and how freely his hou?e was opened to the .Regiment, what frequent opportunities we have had of being in the society of himself and Lady Bowen. I should not do thcjwill of the Begiment if I did not acknowledge the freedom with which they admitted us to their circle. And to our other guests I must do the justice also of acknowledging and remembering the kindness with which they greeted us on our arrival in Auckland eomn years ago, from which greeting we some of us established life-long friendships. We can indeed speak well of that bridge which enabled us to pass so readily, rapidly, and pleasantly over the epace of seven years we have spent here, and ws can. tell our regret that -we are to be the last to be privileged to bask in this fair island and in the smiles of her more lovely ladies. My brother officers and ladies, I beg to give you the health of Sir Georgo and Lady Bowen other friends who have honored us with their presence tonight. (Cheers.) Sir George Aenes , replied on behalf of the guests. He said, Lady Bowen, ladies and gentlemen,—Colonel Elliott and the officers of this gallant regiment, have just drunk the health of the civilians of New Zealand as well as the health of our distinguished Governor and his admirable Lady, and therefore it is that I take upon myßelf, as no one else seems to speak, to reply to tbe toast which Colonel Elliott * proposed and which the officers have drunk. Whoever has j beard of the 18th Regiment, has heard of ' a gallant Regiment, who have riot only gained the affection, but who have also gained the respect of the entire Colony. The same may be said of the men of the Regiment also. I know no regiment so distinguished for its freedom from crime, or where the men an so much respected, not only by their own society but by the colony at large. That circumstance is always due not only to the officer in command, but to the temper arid discretion with which bis orders are carried out by the officers of the Regiment. I will say but little of the fhet of this colony losing this gallant Regiment. It is a subject I "believe that is a painful one to the hearts of the whole of the colonists of New Zealand. I believo they will bo universally regretted, as they are now universally respected. I hope you will pardon the liberty I have taken in acknowledging the toast, which < has been just drunk. The learned judge concluded amid loud cheers, after which dancing was resumed and kept, up with spirit until an advanced hour,! the enjoyment of the pleasures of the night being saddened by the remembrance of the coining separation of many ties of friendship uiid esteem.