COLUMBIA RINK.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XX, Issue 6160, 31 July 1888, Page 2

COLUMBIA RINK.

GRAND FANCY DRESS CARNIVAI For some time past the many patroniser of the Columbia Rink have contemplate! the holding of-n grand carnival —at wliicl fancy ccstumcs were to be one of the cine: features. As the day on which it was ti be held drew near, the linkers grew inor iind more anxious that it should arrive The ladies were absorbed in the study o unique and fitting costumes, and they, a well as the gentlemen must have puzzle* [heir brains,' not a lirtlo, in order to decidi noon a character to represent. That thei inventive faculties are of a high order, w )ne who visited the gay scene at the rinl ast evening can deny—and we may safel] lay that the spectacle presented wiib om if the prettiest that has ever been aeon a he Thi'mos. The walls were inos ilaborately decorated with ferns, ,rose md other floral adornments, wln.i .cross the rink a number of Chinesi antorns added much to tho clmrii if tho scene. As the many skater elide gracefully over the smooth floor, tin Irio-ht and sombre colours of tho costumo: ilcnd with a kaleidoscopic effect reallj leaiitiful to observe. The ever viryim lolours, : n constant and seemingly neve mding combination, sparkle and flasl mdor tho jets cf gas, and makes tin poctator doubt whether he iB at thi L'hames, or whether bv some other slior ,nd easy method of transport, lie hn, inddenly been spirited away into fair; and. Look where one will, the novolt; if the scene never ceases. If one desire; 0 canteoiplnto tho nigger minstrel in hi ilriped coat and pants, bohold : he is re jrcsonted in two places. Should one be in crested in tho. hemes of FennimoreCoope ind Captain Mavoe Kcid, and wish to sei 1 specimen of them lie. has ouiy to tun lis head, and lo— hero, straight before liin 9 tho last of tho Mohicans, with bov ind quiver string. If one is an admirer o, ho Celestial, an opportunity is afforded ti ibsorve him. If the mighty wieldors o. ho destiny of imtions are subjects 01 inquiry, tho observer can at a glanci snjoy their presence by prosy, for theyari here. Should the turf bo an object of tin ibservcr's affection, yon jockey will call t< lis mind many a famous and hard con eslorl racc. Indoed, no matter what maj 10 the indioßyncracy of the onlooker, ho ii iUro to havo it brought prominently befon lira. Individuals representing the sub' ectß of every State, and innumei iblo characters of history and fictior ii'o represented. Among the numeric co3tnmcs worn, those of Messr< >. Ferguson, (Dick Turpin); Coney, (Sii tlarmaduke); Smith, (Wolf); E. Gib >ons, (Fiji Indian) ; Wm. Smith, (Turk); W. Moroney, (Jack Tar); J. Hal Barber's pole); and Moßsrs Robortsor ,nd darken (Footballers), are especially lesorving of mention. Tho prize for the nost handsome costumo was awarded tc ilr Coney (Sit Murmaduko); most inique, to Mr S. Smith (Wolf); and foi lie most original to Mr Gibbons (Fiji 'ndian). Many gentlemen appeared in tvening dress, while soldiers, ami sailors vere conspicuous by their numbers. The Iresaes of the ladies were all very pretty, iome of those most doßerving of praise ieing Juanita, (Miss McLouehlin); apanese lady (Mrs Barclay); Folly, (Mrs iove); Queen of tho Carnival (Miss M, Vhitc) ; Morning (Miss R. M. Scott) ; Pencil flag (Miss Ada Jennings) ; Helen IcGregor (Miss Norries); Gipsy Queen 'Miss E. B Scott); Little Snip (Miss I. Blackley). Besides those the costumes if Little Rod Riding Hood. Daughter of ho Regiment and many others were most (leasing. Tho progress for the ladies vere awarded as follows .-—Most liandomo costume Juanita, (Miss McLoughlin); uost unique, Japanese Lady (Mrs Jarclay); and most original, Folly, (Mrs jovo.) At 9 o'clock the bell sounded tho ignal to cease skating, and all ho performers wero ranged in losition for the great Amazon march. The -arious evolutions were executed under he direction of Mr Bcattie, and were woll ißi'formcd—the tout Msflwi&Zfi'presenting a nost picturesque spectacle. Mr Salmon ri-ived from Auckland at eleven o'clock. ,nd immediately afterwards the awards voro made known. At a quarter past ilevon linking was brought to a close, and s the march skaters wondod their way iome, tho remarks passed were highly omplimentary to tho Carnival, and d - nonstrated beyond all doubt that all those /ho had taken part in it had thoroughly njoyed themselves. The prizes will bo io presented this evening.