Plain and Fancy Dress Social.

Opunake Times, Volume IV, Issue 184, 7 April 1896, Page 2

Plain and Fancy Dress Social.

The plain and fancy dress social held on Easter Monday as a wind up to the fancy fair was a very great success. Mr F. Des Forges undertook the decoration of the hall for the occasion, and the result produced reflected every credit on his artistic skill and taste. The hall was decorated with ferns livened up with artificial flowers. There were a couple of karaka trees planted in barrels which were artificially bloomed with carnelias, producing a very striking effect. In addition to the greenery, the ceiling was decorated with flags and Chinese lanterns, and at the end of the hall a large mirror was hung, the whole producing a very pleasing sight. The floor was in capital order, a number of willing hands having spent a considerable time in waxing it for the occasion. There were about two hundred and fifty present, and the number of fancy costumes, both amongst the ladies and gentlemen, made the scene an extremely gay and animated one. Mr Des Forges officiated as M. 0., and carried out his duties to the satisfaction of every one. We give the fancy costumes as far as we were able to procure a list, but as neither ladies nor gentlemen left their names and assumed characters when entering, it was rather a difficult matter to get a full list, and therefore any omissions must not be laid to our charge. Miss K. Jeffries," Russian Spinner " ; Miss Feaver, " France " ; Miss Coffey, 11 Opunake Times"; Miss Lynham, " Waterlily " ; Miss Taylor, " Wattau Shepherdess "; Miss Walford, " Lady of 18th Century"; Miss Hickey, " Spanish Dancer " ; Miss Goldie, " Ivy " ; Mrs Christie, " Games " ; Mrs Ashdown, " Boating " ; Miss Tait, " Lady of 17th Century "; Miss N. Feaver, "Welsh"; Miss Brown, "Nancy Lee"; Miss Higgins, "My Sweetheart"; Miss R. Higgins, " Arcadian Shepherdess " ; Mrs Twomey, " Gypsy " ; Miss Treweek, " Romp " ; Miss Newsham," Gypsy "; Miss Brooker, " 01d„English " ; Miss Carter, " Spanish Dancing Girl" ; Mis Vickery, " Queen of the Roses " : Miss L. Simeon, " Red, White, 1 and Blue " ; Miss McCoy, " Night " ; Miss Collins, " Good Luck" ; Miss Guy, " Spauish Dancing Girl" ; Miss Stirling, " Ivy." In addition to these there were a number of ladies in extremely handsome evening dress. Amongst the gentlemen we noticed— Messrs W. McLeod, " Spanish Dancer "; N. McLeod, " Neapolitan Fisherman "; D. McDonald, " Spanish Cavalier " ; J. Hickey, " Jack Tar " ; Pope, " French Infantry Officer " ; Brooker, " Texan Squatter "; Ranby, " Mexican Scout " ; W. Christie, " Fisherman " ; J. Higgins, " Military Colored Gentleman"; S Sefton, ♦« Turk " ; E. Vine, " Butcher " ; A. Russell, " Southern Planter."

The ballot for the most popular lady and gentleman produced a great amount of excitement. Ballot papers were handed round to all in the room, and after an interval the ballot box was brought in and all the papers collected. The poll was then made up and'the result declared. There were nineteen ladies voted for, and twenty gentlemen. Miss Tait headed the poll for the ladies, and Mr W. D. Scott for the gentlemen. Out of the nineteen ladies, five —as cricketers would say—reached double figures: Miss Tait, 49; Mrs O'Brien, 33 ; Mrs W. Middleton, 22 ; Miss K. Jeffries, 12 ; and Mis 3 Carter, 10. Out of the twenty of the opposite sex three reached double figures : —Mr Scott, 48 ; Mr W. McLeod, 42 ; and Mr Brennan, 13. Mr Bt'ennan then presented Miss Tait with the prize, a very handsomely fitted dressing case. Mr Gane on behalf of Miss Tait, thanked those who voted. When this excitement was concluded suppar was ushered in. Mrs W. Middleton undertook charge of all arrangements in this department and although she was always noted for her ability in this line, it was generally conceded that she outshone any of her previous efforts on this occasion. Owjng to the stormy weather a supper room could not be built outside, and it consequently had to'be served up on the stage, but as a consequence it took a much longer time to attend to the wants of the large number' in attendance. The table was very tastefully set and was profusely ornamented with flowers, &c, but these were a very secondary consideration when brought into comparison with the plethora of good things provided. The dancing was kept up with vigor until about 4 o'clock, the music being provided by Messrs Good and Putt, which was voted by one and all to be excellent.