NORTHERN CLUB BALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14689, 25 May 1911, Page 6

NORTHERN CLUB BALL.

IN HONOUR OF THE GOVERNOR

'A BRILLIANT FUNCTION.

There was a large and fashionable gathering at the Northern Club last, evening, on the occasion of the ball given by the members of the club in honour of Their Excellencies the Governor and Lady Islington. Some 400 invitations were- issued, and nearly that number of guests were present. The arrangements wcro of themost complete character, and as no effort was spared in ministering to the comfort of the large number of gueste the ball will rank as one- of the most successful ever held in Auckland.

The ballroom, which was tastefully decorated with lycopodinm, flowers, foliage, and a liberal display of vari-coloured flags, presented a brilliant spectacle, and the effect was greatly enhanced by the beautiful dresses worn by the lady dancers. The vice-regal dais, which was placed in the south-western corner of the ballroom, was carpeted in crimson, and draped with the Union Jack and the New Zealand Ensign. The decorations extended throughout the vestibule and entrance to the club, and the principal rooms, and a, plentiful supply of palms gave quite a sylvan appearanco to the corridors, which, as well as the rooms were used for sitting-out purposes. The supper table was decorated with scarlet blooms, and the room was also bedecked with Hags, the whole scheme adding much to the tempting appearance of the dainty repast provided.

The various sittingroonig on tho three floors were placed at the disposal of the guests as sitting-out rooms, and they were all made most comfortable by an abundant supply of chairs and lounges. By an extension of the verandah immediately outBide the ballroom, a spacious and cosy retreat, embowered by Hags, was formed, where those who desired to sit out the dances, and at the same time to remain within full, hearing of the delightful strains of the dance music, could do so amidst the most pleasant surroundings. The room set apart for Lady Islington, on the right hand side of the main entrance to tho club, was prettily decorated in pink. The Government House party comprised Lord and Ladv Islington, Miss Stapleton Cotton, and Mr. and Mrs. A. Guise. In fcho unavoidable absence of tho president of the club (Sir John Logan Campbell) Their Excellencies were received on arrival by the vice-president (Mr. W. It. Bloomfield) and the members of the committee. The National Anthem was played by the band as tho party were conducted to the vice-regal dais. The official set of lancers was then formed as follows His Excellency tho Governor and Mrs. W. It. Bloomfield, Mr. W. 11. Bloomfield and "Lady Islington, Sir Robert Lockhsirt and the Mayoress (Mrs. C. J. Parr), tho Mayor (Mr. C. J. Parr) and Mrs. Guise, Colonel Wolfe- and Lady Lockhart, Mr. A. M. Myers and Miss Stapleton Cotton, Mr. H. P. Kissling and Mrs. D. W. Duthie, and Mr. Guise and Mrs. Thome George. The music was supplied by an excellent string band, and the floor was in perfect order. Dancing was kept up till an. early hour this morning. Lady Islington was charmingly gowned in the" faintest shade of pearl gray charmeuso, with pearl trimming and silver guipure; the bodice was adorned with wide jewelled fringe, this trimming repeated on the skirt, and a shaded tissue rose was tucked in the ceinture. The jewels worn with this picturesque frock were a diamond and emerald tiara and a diamond Miss Stapleton Cotton wore old gold channelise with jewelled 'bodice, the high waist outlined with a black sash. _ Mrs. Guise, pale primrose satin with ninon tunic in self-colour, and gold garniture on the bodice.