GOOD DANCES AT STRATFORD.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 84, 14 August 1923, Page 7

GOOD DANCES AT STRATFORD.

(To the Editoi' "Stratford Evening Post.") Sir,—lf you would kindly allow me a small space In your valuable paper I would like to congratulate the committees of the Garrison Ball and High School Old Pupils' Ball on the splendid management and arrangements. Being one of the

Stratford boys of 13 or 20 years ago and around about ever since, I feel that I would like to pass a few remarks on the past jand present dances. Bight up till recently, you had to be a footballer or a fighter to get supper; it was a rush, first there being best served. I remember one night a lady had a beautiful dress almost torn off her back in the rush for the supper room. Just imagine 400 people rushing at once for the supper room door and I have seen that often at the socials years ago, but now the ticket system does away with that sort of thing. Last Thursday night there must have been close on 500 people

present, and one never knew who had been to supper and who hadn't; it seemed to be s 0 nice and quietly managed, no commotion or bustle. The tables were a credit to the caterer, the last sitting as nice and dainty as the first, and plenty for everybody. The dance was kept going with a good swing all the time supper way on, and I feel sure that after last Thursday night ail present will look forward to the Old Pupils' next ball. The music. one of the principal factors to assure an J enjoyable evening, was excellent, and I think Stratford cm boast of an orchestra second to none. J

Asked while there on Thursday nfght what I thought of the presently dancing, I said:: "Well, you know I am one of the old timers, but I shuffle around. I don't know whether I jazz or not, but I do my host, and what's more I enjoy it." I wculd also like to mention that the larrikin element who uaed to frequent the dances for the purpose of taking a hat or coat and leaving an old one in its place, or somptimes none at all, seems to have been stopped. I remember that at one dance I went to at the Town Hall, I bad a new coat taken, and about a month later I went to a dance at Midhirst, and hanging in I the dressing room was my coat. So ! sighting trouble, I got my mates to- I gether, and we decided not to have the last dance, but to sit in the' dressing room and wait for the cul- I Prit to come for his coat (my coat). ' Well they all came and got their coats and hats, but eventually we I found we were the only ones left ! in the hall, and my coat was never ' touched; evidently the chap who' I had borrowed my coat for a month . knew me, and thought it safer to leave it alone. i

In conclusion, I would like to say that I enjoyed myself last Thursday night immensely, a n ( i never regretted the seven miles there and home again a little bit, I only hope I am within suitable distance next year when the Old Pupils hold their next ball.—l am, etc.,

DANCER T. Eltham, August 13, 1923. FANDjSBSSX, (To the Editor, "Stratford Evening Post.") Sir,—As one who often traverses ! the Bird Road I read with great , resentment of the destruction of the J big punga tree fern on the !Bird ; Road. This punga was a splendid specimen, and must have been of very considerable age, and was an object of beauty and interest to everyone travelling the road. Like "Bird Road Settler," I trust that this act of vandalism will not be allowed to pass unheeded, but that our County Council will got inquiries made at once throug h the police, and a prosecution instituted and a substantial fine pressed for against the offender. The next thing we will be hearing will he that thQ pungas lately planted by the I Domain Boar d in Victoria Park when their fronds are grown, have been cut down for use for decoration of a hall.—l am, etCv PERCY THOMSON. Stratford, 13-8-23.