THE BALL TO THE GOVERNOR.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 116, 5 July 1873, Page 5

THE BALL TO THE GOVERNOR.

This interesting event, which had been looked forward to with the liveliest feelings by some hundreds of people, came off on Tuesday night. To describe it in the hackneyed phrase, “It was an immense success,” would convey but a very imperfect idea of the feeling of satisfaction evinced by all who attended. It would scarcely be in good taste to make comparisons between Tuesday night’s ball and others of a similar character held in Wellington. It is sufficient to say that for once expectations were justified, and to whomsoever the credit of the arrangements is due they have the satisfaction of recording the fact that they assisted in carrying out one of the most successful balls ever given in Wellington, and by that means doubly enhancing the value of the compliment paid to His Excellency. The attendance was large, and might be called fashionable. According to the tickets taken at the door, over three hundred people were admitted; and there were a great many more who, having taken tickets, were from various causes prevented attending. Amongst those present occupying prominent positions were his Worship the Mayor, his Honor the Superintendent, the Hon Mr Richardson (Minister of Public Works), the Attorney-Genera l , Messrs Hunter and Pearce, the representatives of the city, the Hon John Johnston, the Hon R. Hart, Colonel Reader, and a host of others representing the upper circles of Wellington society. The inside of the hall was brilliantly lighted, an extra allowance of gas jets having been put on for the occasion. The outside was made resplendent with flaming gas devices. The Imperial crown was over the centre entrance, and over each of the side doors burned a brilliant star. Shortly after nine o’clock his Excellency was escorted upstairs by his Aide-de-Camp (hi 3 brother). Upon making his appearance in the ballroom, the Artillery Band struck up the national air. This was taken as a signal to look for places, and the floor was thronged in an instant. His Excellency, who seemed to be indifferent as to what place in the quadrille he occupied, set the “ ball ” in motion by taking the Mayoress as a partner. Looked at from the gallery, the scene was brilliant. Between handsome faces, beautiful dresses, and the light and glitter of the surroundings, the effect was very fine. On looking at the costly apparel displayed by so many, it became quite clear to the most ordinary comprehension how tailors and dressmakers were the most unreliable people on earth during the last fort night, and considering their achievements during that time in the way of setting off the human form divine, one could readily forgive the unveracity they had been guilty of in a thousand instances. Dancing once begun was kept up with unflagging spirit till midnight, and few exhibited more throrougk enjoyment than his Excellency, whose card must have been carefully filled up at an early hour, and it was seldom he omitted taking part in any dance. Amongst those who hadl the pleasure of trip ping a measure with his Excellency during the evening were Mrs Richardson and Miss Vogel. From the first it was apparent that the hall was not equal to furnish dancing room for all who attended, many of whom might have enjoyed themselves in a quadrille or valse had there been more room, but did not do so. The seats of the dress circle were occupied during the evening by a certain section who by choice constituted themselves onlookers. In the side-room several card tables were laid, where a number of those old stagers who have more admiration for a silent and scientific game of whist than for the “ poetry of motion” in any shape or form, were comfortably seated, and the seats were seldom vacated during the evening. Circular and figure dances followed each other in rapid succession until the programme had been half gone through and midnight was reached. This was the signal for supper. Unfortunately for the completeness of the arrangements, scarcely half those present could be seated. The consequence was an unseemly crush. Gentlemen and ladies flocked about the tables in a confused manner that was rather painful. Gentlemen escorted their partners to the table in blissful unconsciousness ofthe scarcity of room and they only realised the awkward and un* comfortable position in which they were placed when they discovered themselves hopelessly jammed in amongst a crowd of disappointed ones who were literally, and in fact, left out in the cold. Many of the gentlemen who managed to secure seats for their partners were unable to find a seat for themselves, consequently they made the waiters’ occupation a sinecure. The supper room was an improvised enclosure upon the stage, the partitions of which consisted of scenes. Incongrous enough some of them looked ; hut few had eyes for detecting anything of the ridiculous in the surroundings after looking at the magnificent appearance of the tables, which, by the help of burnished glasses, a profusion of fruits and flowers, ail'd hundreds of dishes which had exhausted all the ornamentation of the joint cuisine of Hosts Osgood and Donecker, presented a brilliancy and color that could only be properly appreciated by a gourmet . The viands having been discussed, the toasts of “ The Queen” and “ The Prince of Wales” were proposed by His Honor the Superintendent, who occupied the chair. They were duly honored.

His Honor the Superintendent, in rising to propose the toast ot the evening said—There is one kind of speech that ought always, to use a very common expression, to he cut short —it is a speech made after dinner and before dancing. lam not likely, therefore, to forget such a wholesome piece of advice, and will not on the present occasion detain you from the very pleasant amusement of which I already see a great number of the fair sex are longing to partake. Nor, indeed, is there any reason why I should detain you long: there are reasons why I should not. On the last occasion I had the honor to preside at supper in this room, it fell to my lot, ladies and gentlemen, to propose the health of the Governor and his lady, who were about to take their departure from amongst us. Well, it is not an easy task to bid good-bye to one and almost on the next day to welcome another. Our neighbors the French across the Channel—for we are apt to talk as if we still lived in the old country—are supposed to he exceedingly ready to transfer their allegiance—to shout Le Hoi; vive le Hoi ! But lam right, I think, in saying that our race is not accustomed to transfer an enthusiastic loyalty. And, bearing that in mind, I hope our guest of the evening will not think the less of us if we are not able to toss up our hats with all the enthusiasm which might otherwise be expected. There is an old adage regarding articles for consumption, which is to the effect that in order to be satisfied there ii nothing like an actual trial; and this maxim may be applied with as much truth to Governors as to articles of consumption. I am sure, therefore, I have given you sufficient reason to show you why I may liberate you very quickly to pursue, for the remaining hours of the night, an enjoyment of a more gratifying character. I have now to propose the health of the new Governor, Sir James Fergusson, and Lady Fergusson ; and I have only to re-echo the very general regret that her Ladyship has been prevented from attending this evening. The toast was drunk enthusiastically and with all the honors.

His Excellency Sir James Fergusson then rose and said: Mr Fitzherbert, ladies and gentlemen, I entirely agree with the remarks which have been made as to the inexpediency of making speeches on such an occasion as the present. There is a rule, I think, in existence which lays down that speeches at balls should not be made above the breath, and only in the ear of one’s partner. I cannot certainly regret that I have the opportunity —an opportunity which I shall not abuse by making a long speech—of expressing my heartfelt thank 3 at the most handsome reception you have given me this evening. You could not have chosen a more agreeable manner of enabling me to become acquainted with the ladies and gentlemen of Wellington. I think I should be very insensible if I failed to recognise the very earnest manner in which the welcome has been given from all sides. X know perfectly well, as was observed by our worthy chairman, that we are taken on trial j but you have already shown so much confidence in us that it will be our earnest endeavor to deserve th »t- confidence and to show that — I nking the figure employed by our chairman regarding articles of consumption —we are neither hard nor unpalatable. I regret that Lady Fergusson has been debarred from coming here. I am, however, rather pleased to see that the gentleman' who condemned her to seclusion has absented himself from the ball. It would be too bad for him to attend after that. Still I hope it will not be the only opportunity we shall have of enjoying a ball in Wellington; and I think I can safely assure you that you will find Lady Fergusson all that you may expect in making the most of such opportunities of meeting her friends. I am afraid I have broken the wholesome rule laid down ; and I will therefore conclude by again thanking you for the kind reception and hearty welcome we have received from you. (Loud cheers.) Dancing was at once resumed, and kept up till an early hour this morning. Regaling the arrangements, it may be said that they gave evidence of an energetic committee. The Artillery Band furnished the music for the occasion ; and, with the exception of a trifle too much of the drum, the music was all that could be desired. Outside of the Theatre order was preserved by Inspector Atchison and an emergency force of constables from the nountrv districts.