THE FIRE BRIGADE FANCY DRESS BALL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7379, 25 May 1887, Page 2

THE FIRE BRIGADE FANCY DRESS BALL.

The annual Juvenile Fanoy Dress Ball, f ollowod by n danoe for adults, under the uuspices of the Volonteer Fire Brigade, took place in the Alexandra Hall on Tuesday night (Queen's Birthday), and although the weather was somewhat unfavourable, the affair was a most pronounced Huccess in every _ respect, reflecting credit upon the Committee and the T promoters. -The juveniles only appeared in fanoy dreßß, and they numbered about 60, forming a spectacle that was novel and at the same time pleasing. The costumes were various, and all most becoming to the youthful wearers. They were permitted to dance for about a couple of hours, the music being supplied by Masters Cottier (2), violin and flute, and Mr. Garry at the piauoforte, in a manner that surprised competent ju 'geelif music The floor was in excellent order for dancing, and the hall, although no particular effort had been made to adorn, was set off by the handsome helmets worn by the Brigade and what bunting that was available. A string of flags was also run across Devon-Btreet to the building opposite. Mr. Paul made a most eificient M.C., and the following were the Committeemen :— Supt. Davis, Captain Bayley, Lieuts. Maher and Carrington, Foreman vVard, and Firemen Bellringer, Sole, MoManus, Cock, Williams, Way, and G. EL McGahey (secretary,). When dancing commenced the eight was a very attractive one indeed,inclining many of the spectators to wish they were young again. A great Dumber of the children appeared simply in evening dresß, but the following, we think, will give an idea of the principal characters that were present : — Margery Gibbes, " Punchinello," first prize; Ada Coomber, " Summer," second prize; Murray Gibbes, "Forester," first prize; Albert Coomber^ " Jack Tar," second prize; Ethel Oldfield, " Winter ;" Kate Oldfield, •• Ducheßs;" Florrie Oldfield, "Spring Flowera;" Jinie, Oldfield, "Uherry Kipe ;" Ella Grylla, " April Showers ;" Mary Gill, " Fuiry Queen;" Vita Bayley, "Moorish Girl;'Ivy Cock, "Fairy;" Eva Black, "Sailor Girl;" Nellie BendaJV'flousemoid ;" Bertha Bayly, " Shepherdess; " Miss Bob well, "Daughter of the Regiment ;" Miss McGahey, " Grandmother ;" Mira Simpson, "Gleaner;" Margaret Furlong, "Gleaner." Besides these there were a number or other very pretty coßtumes, amongst which we noticed "Ivy," "Cherry ripe," " Si'-ishine," " Mayflowers," while several of the Central School Cadets appeared in their uniform. A very inviting supper was served in the ante room, where the young folk were regaled with the thousand and one little nick-nacks that delight youth when on pleasure bent. After eight o'clock the adults began to swell the attendance, and when the children bad retired there must have been about 76 -couples present, amongst whom we noticed His Worship the Mayor and Mrs. Bayly. The members of the Fire Brigade with their officers and the varied costumes of the ladies, made the pageant a very striking one. The' Taranaki Rifle Band attended under Bandmaster Garry, and rendered first-class danoe rauaio. The supper was very bountifully laid out in the ante room. It waß gratuitously supplied by the ladies of the town, and was much appreciated by the company. The programme of dances was as follows :— Mazurka, lancers, waltz, polka, mazurka, 4 extras, quadrille, galop, achottische, mnzurka, polka, lancerß, high scottische, mazurka, galop. Dancing was sustained with very much interest till the " wee sma hours of the morning."