PROGRESS OF THE RADICAL REFORM ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume XIII, Issue 1370, 18 September 1858, Page 3

PROGRESS OF THE RADICAL REFORM ASSOCIATION.

Last night, the Radical Reformers held a Ball af Barry’s Theatre, to celebrate the foundation of their Association. It was one of the most remarkable popular festivals that has ever been held in this place. The Theatre remained as it was arranged for the great Banquet held on the 9th instant, Except that fresh decorations added to the graceful appearance of the room, and the space underneath the boxes was partitioned off by drapery as a refreshment room, under the usual able management of Mr. P. Laing. An excellent Hanoverian Band, recently arrived from Canterbury in the course of. a trip round the Provinces, supplied music of a quality unsurpassed even by the military band which we are about to lose. The company began to arrive at nine o’clock, and dancing commenced at half-past nine. There could not have been less than 300 persons of both sexes present, besides a numerous concourse of mere spectators who filled the boxes. Whenever it was the turn of one of the dances with the figure of which all are acquainted, the floor was completely filled by those who took a part. The amusement was kept up with the greatest possible spirit, thorough good humour, and unexceptionable behaviour, until past five o’clock; when early daylight favored the return of the joyous guests to their homes. Mr. Barry, and the working Committee of Stewards, deserve the greatest credit for the foresight and perfection of all the necessary arrangements. As in the case of the Banquet given to Messrs. Wakefield and Hunter; no advertising, or hawking about of tickets, took place. The Ball was only thought of on the 10th. A few hand-bills appeared only two or three days ago, with a list of fifteen Stewards, chiefly officers of the Radical Reform Association. The result was, that more tickets were applied for than had been prepared. Again, as at the Dinner, there was the' most striking evidence of that Union which gives irresistible strength to a cause, and which enables the general wish of numbers to be.promptly concentrated in a successful effort jiqr any good purpose. We trust that the experiment of interesting the fair sex in the Reform cause, which has so thoroughly met with their support, will be frequently repeated. We understand that active steps are being taken for the formation of branches of the Association in various rural localities : among others, the lower Hutt, Rorirua Road,- and Wairarapa. We are convinced that they will soon spread the vigour and knowledge of Reform into the remotest corners of the Provvince.