Ball at Ngapara.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XX, Issue 6331, 12 August 1895, Page 1

Ball at Ngapara.

The Freemasons of Ngapara held their annual ball as per advertisement, on Friday night last in the Public Hall. The Hall was tastefully decorated with evergreens, shrubs, flags, etc., and looked very well for the time of year. The weather was all that could be desired, although I believe rain fell pretty freely in Oamaru during the afternoon, keeping back a good many from that place who would, in all likelihood, have rolled up to the ball of the season, that is in the city of the Tables.

Owing to so much illness and deaths in the district, of late amongst the people the attendance was very small compared with other years. The Lodge also was in mourning for a deceased brother. Only about 40 couples took part in the grand march, which was led off by Bro. Thos. Little R.W.M. and partner Mrs R. Whyte jun. followed by P.M.'s and members to a goodly number. Of course after the assembly got commenced dancing was the feature of the evening and on to long after "the wee sma' 'oors ayont the twal."

The following ladies and gentlemen helped considerable to while away the hours : Mr D. Aitken (Gleniffer) sons ; Miss Orr and Miss Nicol, duet; Miss Whorley (Enfield), song, which was rendered very sweetly; Miss M'Gregor (Windsor), song; Mrs Wilson (Enfield), " Jessie's Dream," in good style, and to a hearty encore gave "Jeanie's black e'e," both good Scotch songs, and you know, sir, that my heart's in the Highlands. Mr N. Meldrum, with great enthusiasm, sang " Banks o' Loch Lomond " and was encored. Mr John Grant (Duntroon), rendered two comic songs, " My Clementine," and another, very well. A young lady of Ngapara, whose name I am bound over not to mention, gave "Killarney's Lakes," in first rate style, and to a well deserved encore, another song. I think there is a great future in store for this young lady's voice, which as yet is only in its infancy. The catering was the work of Mr A. Orr, baker, here, who is celebrated for his pastry. At various times during the evening the good things were handed round to the visitors by brethren of the Lodge. Miss Hood (Oamaru), Miss Nicol, and Mrs G. Nimmo played the accompaniments during the evening.

The music was all that could be desired as far as good time and music went; in fact, the dancing community of this celebrated city—and they are many—begin to find out by last night's performance of the Sutherland band that they have in the past been "carrying coals to Newcastle," and, in many cases, very poor specimens. The musicians were: Messrs A. G. Sutherland (leader), Crawford and Don (violins), Nicol (cornet), Meldrum (bass violin), and Miss Nicol (piano). Messrs Whyte and Arnot acted in their usual efficient manner as M.C.'s. The belle is said to be the property of Duntroon, and should any of your readers wish to sing her praises they could not do better than carol "The lass of Richmond Hill." Of course,-taste's a' in a matter of this sort, and the majority wins. At the close of the entertainment, the Worthy Master (Bro. Thomas Little) ascended the rostrum and thanked the singers and audience for their attendance, which concluded a very happy evening.