THE VOLUNTEERS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 860, 24 August 1888, Page 14

THE VOLUNTEERS.

The 3STavals’ Ball.

The fifth annual invitation ball of the Wellington Naval Artillery took place on Tuesday evening last, and, notwithstanding the inclement weather, was a pronounced success. This corps has achieved a widespread reputation as entertainers, being highly spoken of as far away as Sydney, and any gathering held under its auspices is accordingly certain to be well patronised. Friday last was no exception to the rule, as over 300 persons were present in response to the invitations issued, among them being a number of visitors from other districts.

The approach to the hall by Maginnity street was specially lighted by lamps provided by the city engineer, while the entrance to the building was rendered aB bright as day by a large Wenham lamp, kindly lent by Messrs Cameron aud Piimmer for the occasion, the brilliancy of its effect beiDg particularly noticeable on account of the darkness of the evening. Entering the hall the ladies turned to the left, and the gentlemen to the right, reaching their cloakrooms, which were superintended by Miss Hare and Seaman W. Asher respectively, visitors rejoining their partners in the ball room. The ball-room itself was profusely decorated with a multitude of flags hnng in lines and gracefully draped in every conceivable direction across the roof of the building, while festoons of gaily painted Chinese lanterns were run all round the hall, heightening the effect by their varied colours and shapes, apparently unsupported in mid-air. Rich curtains were draped along both sides of the room, and large pictures alternating witn handsome mirrors enhanced the brilliancy of tbe scene. A deep border of blue and white material running along the end and sides of the room above the curtains and looped up at intervals with large cords and tassels, gave an elegant finish to the decorations. A large German flag, over thirty yards in length, screened off the entranoe end of the building, above which, ferns and evergreens filled up the vacant spaces between the flags. The band stand was erected immediately in front of the entrance, and its drapery of red white and blue afforded a pleasing contrast to the more sombre German background, while the two large evergreens placed at its front corners lent an added charm to the effect. Overhead hung the city flag, flanked by the standards of the Caledonian Society and Danish Consul, while on the floor below, at intervals, stood four submarine mines each capable of containing a charge of 2001 b of gun cotton. In front of the bandstand, supported on adjustable uprights, lay a Whitehead fish topedo, whioh, together with the mines just mentioned, formed a great attraction during the evening. In the centre of the room, within on elegant enclosure of white lattice work, a noble fern tree reared its head, the space inside the fence being carefully turfed, while a number of birds, pot-plants in bloom, and stands of arms produced a novel and pleasing effect. Arches of evergreens sprang from post to post of the enclosure, having small Chinese lanterns suspended from their centres, aud diamonds of evergreen dotted the middles of the sections of lattice work.; From the fronds of tto fern tree depended a number of large Chinese lanterns, which weie lit during the evening, lending an additional charm to the surroundings by their soft tinted lights. Above the centre-piece hung the flags of the Norwegian 1 nnd Swedish consul and red and white British ensigns. At the far end of the hall was placed the refreshment room, divided from the ball room by curtains of red white and blue materials prettily alternating. Above were suspended the Royal Standard supported by the flags of the German and United States Consuls ; the standard of the consul for Portugal being placed immediately above the Royal Standard, with that of the French consul to its left. A large silvered shield bearing the battery’s monogram ‘ W.N.A.’ nicely interwoven jutted out in front of the British flag and reflected the light-from above upon the fernery on the centre of the floor. The rooms of the Wellington City Rifles and Wellington Rifles on the right of the hall were utilised as Naval Company, Committee, and oard rooms ; that on the opposite side occupied by the Wellington Guards being converted into another card-room, while the Navals’ orderly-room was set apart for the use of officers attending the ball. The large naval room aud the two farther corners of the building were reserved as drawing rooms and beautifully fitted up with carpets and suites of elegant upholstered furniture, pictures of gun detachments, cutter crews, groups of officers, camps, etc., relating to the battery, being hung from the walls. The furnishing contract was faithfully fulfilled by Mr Eller of Willis Street, who by every means endeavoured to anticipate the desires of the committee, and by his urbanity and skill gave entire satisfaction to all. The band, under the leadership of Mr J. Minifie, was composed as follows :—First violin, C. King ; second violin, Gray ; double bass, J. Churchill ; clarinet, W. Barber; cornet, J. Minifie ; flute and picolo, W. Smith ; piano, F. Bragge ; drum, etc, Pyke. The piano used was of Asohe* berg’s manufacture and specially obtained from Messrs Hoffmann's warehouse. The music was of a first class description, and its execution by Mr Minifie’s band gained the approval of everyone. The comprised the following items : —G. M. and polka, ‘ Pet ’; quadrille, (Scotch Airs) ; schottische, ‘ Etna ’ ; lancers, ‘ Mikado’’; waltz, * Swinging highland schottische, ‘ Keel Bow ’; polka mazurka, ‘ Blue Sea’: d’Alberts, * Pirates ’ 1 Lesly’s ’ schottische, ‘Gay Paris’; quadrille, ‘Prima Donna’; waltz, ‘ Dream Stars’; polka, * Bon Bouehe’; quadrille, * Royal Castle -waltz, ‘ Concordia lancers, * Coote’s Favourite ’; polka mazurka, * Vision d'Alberts, * Review ’ ‘ Fantine ’ schottische, ‘ Romantic polka, ‘ Return of Spring ’; lancers, ‘ Ordnance ’; Circassian circle, (Irish airs); ■waltz, ‘Vive I’Amour’; lancers, ‘lolanthe’;' march waltz, galop, * Summer nights.’ The floor, which prior to the ball was m a wretched condition, and in several places ;, broken through, was thoroughly cleaned on Wednesday evening by a fatigue party of.

thirty men, who, by one o’clock had effectually removed all traces of 'the previous Saturday’s banquet from it. On Thursday night while the decimating party was busy with the roof, the floor was carefully repaired and the irregularities removed by planing, after which all hands turned their attention to polishing it, continuing their exertions till past two o’clock. Another detachment were at work on Friday with leather and a special preparation, polishing and putting a finish to the floor, with the result that on no previous ocoasion has such a large surface so pleasant to dance upon been provided m Wellington, the highest encomiums beiDg continually passed upon its excellence. The gathering was a thoroughly representative one, and amongst the visitors were Captain Medley, A.D.C., as the representative of His Excellency the Governor ; Messrs J. R. George and E. Pearce, Consuls for Portugal and Norway and Sweden respectively ; J, Carroll, M.H.R.; Lieut-Colo-nel Butts, Captain Humfrey, Defence Department Captain-Adjutant Quick ; Capt.Commandant Abbot, West Coast Naval Battalion ; Lieut. Paterson, Queen’s Rifle Volunteer Brigade, Royal Scots, Edinburgh ; Lieut Davy, Petone Naval Artillery ; Lieut Davis, Kaiwarra Rifles : Lieuts Bullock and Gray, Te Aro Rifles ; Lieut Hall, Newtown Rifles ; Lieut Jacksou, Wellington Rifles ; Surgeon Collins. N.Z. Artillery ; Instructor Blackler and C.P.O. Pacey, Torpedo Corps ; C.P.O. Strange, Nelson Naval Artillery, and a number of leading citizens. When the Chinese lanterns were lit the ball-room presented a gorgeous spectacle, the many coloured costumes of the ladies intermingling with the uniforms of the consuls and officers, the white of the Naval Artillery and blue of the Torpedo and Artillerymen having a very animated and pleasant effect, while the green of the fernery afforded a grateful contrast to the predominant red of the bunting. Dancing was kept up till half-past four, C.P.O. Armstrong and P.O. Mundle discharging the duties of M. C.’s, and thus ended the most successful, representative and enjoyable ball ever held in Wellington. . The catering arrangements, which the Navals insist shall be of the highest character, were this year entrusted to Mr Goclber, whose efforts, though in the main giving satisfaction, appear to have failed to meet with the entire approval of the Committee. The following members of the battery comprised the Bali Committee : —Captain Duncan, Lieutenants Hislop and Campbell, Surgeon Gillon, C.P.O.’s Aisher and Armstrong, P.O.’s Moran, Meek, Taylor, and Mundle, Leading Seamen Davenport and Parsons, Seamen Hare, Keegan, Martin, Redding, Robinson, Woodger, and Rabe. P.O. Palethorpe acted aB treasurer, and Seaman MacCurdy as secretary. The committee on its appointment resolved to eclipse all previous efforts, and accordingly sent out nearly 1500 invitations to their friends. Their exertions were a.bly supported by nearly every man in.the company, who harmoniously and willingly did their utmost to bring about a successful issue. The result amply rewarded their efforts and realised the mo3t sanguine expectations, the only regrets we have heard expressed being that the Navals’ Ball is not of more freqnsnt occurrence than once a year. For decorative favours the committee express their indebtedness to Count de Jouffray d’Abbans, Messrs Castendyke, George, Levin, Pearce, and Toxward, for the use of their consular Bags -. to the Governor’s Aide-de-camp, Messrs W. and G. Turnbull, Union Steam Ship Company, his Worship the Mayor, the Caledonian Society, Mr Percy, and the Captains of the Pleione and Selene, for bunting ; Mr E. J. Reid, for lanterns ; Mr J. J. Taylor, for the lamps used to light the bandstand and refreshment room ; Messrs Cameron and Plimmer, for the Wenham light ; Mr Connal, for tarpaulins ; Mr Levin, for plants ; and Messrs T. Kennedy Macdonald, P. Hutson, and W. Chalmers, for tables, &c. . Every nation having a Consul in Wellington, with the exception of Italy, was represented by its flag. We understand that the Italian Consul was asked to lend his standard, but not having yet hoisted it himself, was averse to granting the request.