A SUCCESSFUL DANCE

Patea Mail, Volume XLVII, 18 August 1924, Page 3

A SUCCESSFUL DANCE

A most successful fancy-dress ball was held at Hurleyville on the 4th inst., in aid of the fund for obtaining Montcssori apparatus for the school. The Hall was prettily decorated with streamers and butterflies, in the school colours. The Grand March, which was conducted by Mr Barber and Miss Grant, and led off by Miss Joyce Barber and Master Douglas Hamblyn, was a very pretty sight, the children going through the various movements without a hitch; their bright, eager little faces and brilliant colourings of their costumes quite captivated thp eye. . After the march, the children were lined up in tw.o sections of over and under 10 years, for judging. The judges, Mr and Mrs Richardson, Mrs Taylor and Mrs Illingworth, must have had a difficult task,-as there were over 40 fancy costumes. The girls under 10 were disposed of first, Poppy Hurley securing first, in character as ‘ Granny. ’ Molly Basset, first for prettiest costume, as ‘ ‘ Basket of Flowers. ’ ’ Boys under 10: Pat Hurley, first, as “Sundowner”; Garth BarbOr, first) as “Father Christmas.” Girls over 10: •Joyce Barber (“Christmas Tree”), Ist; Muriel Barber (‘‘Dick Whittington and His Gat”), 2nd. Boys over 10; Eric Hamblyn (“Red Indian”), Ist; Terry Hurley (“Golliwog”), 2nd. A-special prize of 5/-, kindly donated by Mr Richardson, fell to Hazel Barber, as “Prince Charming.” The Scown, chairman of the School Committee, in a brief speech, thanked the judges for their kindness in coming out on such a wretched night, and then presented the prizes, the winning nine parading twice round the hall to music. The children danced and had a jolly time until 9.30, when they marched into the supper room and enjoyed all manner of good things at the hands of an energetic committee, with Mrs Locker as a very capable head. The grown-ups then occupied the floor. During the evening, bouquets were presented to Miss Grant, the very capable assistant at the school, who was the main organiser of the ball, and whom we arc all very sorry to part with. The short time she has been with us has endeared her to old and young alike. Miss M. Hurley also received a bouquet for her kindness in playing for the practices. Mr D. Hurley, in a neat little speech, made the presentation, and two dear little tots, Lorna Hurley and Betty Balsillio, handed the flowers to the recipients. Mr Barber responded for Miss Grant, and Mr Hamblyn for Miss Hurley. It is to be regretted that the bouquets which were promised for the judges did not arrive, owing to the heavy rain. The other children who took part in the ball were as follows:—Rcta Jones (“Duck Girl”) Joyce Barber (“Christmas Tree”), Hazel Barber (“Prince Charming”), Dorrie Scown (“Correspondence”), Muriel Barber (“Dick Whittington”), Phyllis Burkhart (“Princess”), Josic Burkhart (“Belgium”), Edna Balsillic (“Daffodil”), Poppy, Hurley (“Granny”), E. Metcalf (“Pritning Press”), Annie McDonnell (“Knight of the Bath”), Sybil Bowditch (“Fairy”), Lizzie Metcalf (“Yes Wc Have No Bananas”), Laura Burkhart (“Sailor”), Clara Burkhart .(“Glowworm ■ Dancer”), Inf dice Metcalf (“Ruination”), Molly Bassett (“Basket of Flowers”). Boys:—Douglas Hamblyn (“Prince”), Joe Burkhart (“Post Office”), Roy Jones (“Imp”), Eddy Schultz (“Pierrette”), Terry Hurley (“ Gollywog”), Russell Bassett (“Bean”), George' Corbett (‘‘Pageboy”), Eric Hamblyn (“Red Indian”), Murray Hamblyn (“Little Boy Blue”), Sydney Scown (“Dutch Boy”), Pat Hurley (“Sundowner”), Garth Barber (“Father Christmas”), Sandy Hurley (“Arab Sheik”), George Hurley (“Cowboy”), Stan Balsillie (‘Baker’), Mick Hurley. (“Clown”), Bertie Busing (“Cowboy”), Dermot Hurley (“Red Pierrot”), Rex Barber (“Squirrel”). Roy Bowditch, 14 months old, made a charming little “Kewpio,” and Betty Balsillie, a dear wee “Blue Fairy,” two years of ago.

The school childrwen made buttonholes, and Gladys Burkhart handed each gentleman one as he entered the hall. The bouquets, which were of violets and maidenhair fern and tied with streamers in the schools colours, were made by Mrs Bassett and very much admired;

Miss H. Hurley supplied the music in her usual capable manner. The hall was in excellent order for dancing, and in spite of the inclement night, a most enjoyable evening was spent, everybody voting it a huge success. NOTES The Hurleyvillc settlers tendered Mr and Mrs Bowie and family a farewell on Monday, 11th inst., and a small presentation was made. Mr Bowie was also the guest at a smoke concert on Thursday’, when he was presented with a small token of the esteem in which he is held.