ST. GEORGE'S ROWING CLUB'S ANNUAL BALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10131, 14 May 1896, Page 5

ST. GEORGE'S ROWING CLUB'S ANNUAL BALL.

The annual ball held under the auspices of the St. George's Rowing Club was held at the Choral Hall last evening. The interior of the spacious building was a striking contrast to the bleak and wintry surroundings outside, it presenting a most inviting appearance with its gay festooning of flag? and evergreens. At the bead of the room was a shield bearing the monogram, artistically surmounted with sets of soulls, a most fitting symbol for a function promoted by an aquatic body. The adjoining room to the right was set off as a promenade, and most suitably decorated and embowered with flags and evergreens, tho whole reflecting great credit on those gentlemen connected with the management committee, who were responsible for the arrangements, and more particularly on the seoretary, Mr. H. R. Holmes, who has been most assiduous in his efforts _ to promote the snecess of the gathering. Thore were close on 300 present, amongst the number being His Excellency the Governor, the Countess of Glasgow, and Lady Augusta Boyle, attended by Captain Preston, A.D.C., and His Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. J. Holland), the Mayoress, and the Misses Holland. The ball opened with the lancers, the vice-regal set, which occupied tl.e head of the room, comprising the following ladies and gentlemen His Excellency the Governor and the Lady Mayoress, Lady Glasgow and Mr. Seymour Thorns Georgo, Captain Preston, A.D.C., and Mrs. J, 1.. Bloomfield, Lady Augusta Boyle and His Worship the Mayor (Mr, J. J. Holland), Mr. A. H. Nathan and Mrs. Blair, Mr, MeHardy (Captain St. G.R.C.) and Mrs. J. P. Stevenson, Mr. H. Bloomfield and Mrs. Hall, Mr. H. Fenwick and Mrs. W. Bloomfield. The programme contained sixteen dances and several extras, and dancing was kept up with great zest to' tho inspiriting strains of Mr, IS, J. Burke's string band, until the small hours of the morning, the vice-regal party, however, retiring shortly before midnight. The msny handomo and striking costumes worn by the ladies present formod a striking contrast to the more sombre wearing apparel of their male attendants and the decorations in the background, the whole contributing to what might be described as one of the prettiest and effective scones witnessed in the Choral 1 all for some time past. At eleven o'clock an adjournment was made to the supper - room, on the left of the Hall, whore a sumptuous repast was laid out under the supervision of Mr, Thos. McEwon, in whose hands the catering had been entrusted. The furnishings were supplied by the Direct Supply Company, and liquors gratuitously provided by Messrs. Hancock, Seocombe and Sons, Ehronfried, and Brown and Campbell, Tho function was one of the most successful ever held' under the auspices of the club, the whole going off without a hitch.