Masonic Ball.

Observer, Volume X, Issue 623, 6 December 1890, Page 12

Masonic Ball.

Those who had the privilege of witnessing the decorations in the Choral Hall on Wednesday evening were lost in wonderment at the transformation scene which met their gaze. It seemed as if some fairy wand had been employed to beautify the building, for the decorations were carried out on a soale of grandeur never equalled in New Zealand, and it remains a moot point whether any Australian event ever excelled it. General regret was expressed that such a scene of brilliance should be so ephemeral, and that rude hands should be permitted to come the next day and rob the hall of so much beauty. It is simply impossible bo give anything like a thorough description of the gay Bcene, as every detail — no matter how minute— was worked out, and the combination of foliage and bunting most artistic. The stage and orchestra seats were transformed into a perfect Elysian retreat, and amidst the choice collection of exotics and New Zealand ferns, a pretty fountain was seen in full play, shooting jets of water which fell in showers of spray into an immense basin charged with goldfish. Great rolls of many coloured bunting were stretched across the ceiling, while floral emblems and Masonic devices met the eye everywhere. One of these which surmounted the entrance to the supper room was .most choice, and calls for special mention. It was worked out in the prettiest roses and pelargoniums imaginable, and was the work of Mrs and Miss Hughes, of Ponsonby. Immediately over the stage was suspended a beautiful floral arch, in the centre of which was displayed the motto — * Welcome, Grand Lodge of New Zealand.' The walls were also adorned with scroll work enumerating the various lodges who have sent in their allegiance to the New Zealand Constitution, and the ball-room was further set off by large mirrors, in which the movements of the gay assemblage were reflected. The verandah waa also attended to and enclosed with canvas, nicely illuminated with Chinese lanterns. The ante-rooms were suitably arranged with suites of furniture, affording capital resting places for those flushed with dancing. The credit of decorating the hall resta entirely with Messrs Powley, D. H. Ross, Jones, Craig, and Allen. Shortly after eight o'clock the ball opened with a grand inarch in which the Masons took part wearing their regalia. Sets were then formed and the quadrilles opened to the favourite air of ' Royal Castle.' The top set consisted of Bro. H. Thompson, Grand Master, and Miss Russell, Bro. M, Niccol and Miss Niccol, Bro. E. T. Gillon, and Mrs deal, and Bro. Kidd, Grand Pursuivant and Mrs >cott. The dance programme was as follows :— Grand march ; quadrille, ' Clasping Hands ;' mazurka, ' De"r Styeriene ;' lancers, 'Mikado;' polka, ' P and 0;' waltz, ' Dorothy ;' sehottische, ' Perl Ferre ;' d'alberts, ' Chilperic— Joya of Life ;' mazurka, 'La Fiancee ;' waltz, ' When the Lights are Low ;' lancera, 'Sorcerer;' polka, 'Blue Rose;' waltz, 'Bsmeralda;' quadrille, ' La Fete de Engeine ;' mazurka, ' Blue Belle;' waltz, ' Son Altesse ;' lancers, 'Bonne Bouche :' waltz, 'Loving and Hoping;' 'God Fave the Queen.' The music was supplied by an efficient string band under the baton of M. A. Eady. The supper room was all that could be desired, and Mr Thomas McEwen excelled all past efforts in this direction. During the evenincr a number of extras were played by Mrs Schapp, Miss Coffey, Dr. Walker and Mr Neumagen. Great praise is due to the following gentlemen who officiated as Stewards :— Bros. H. C. Tewsley, A. V. Jones, J. Smart, T). H. Ro«g, W. E. Goudie, and J. Guthrie, and Mr J. Boskill who filled the onerous position of Secretary. TheM.C.'s were Bros. G. H. Powley, P.P.G.S.W., Dr. Walker, P.M.PP.G.O., J. T. Logan, W.M. Albion Lodge. Taken altogether, the ball was the greatest success we have seep, and will long be remembered in Auckland. All the ladies present wore evening dress, and the following were amongst the number present :—Mesdames W. Peet, Cleal, Hewson, Page, H. Walker, Crummer, R. L. Holle, Scott, Powley, M. De Forrest, Hammond, Tewsiey, T. Massey, H. Hayr, Leonard, Pope, G. Rayne3, Tonge, Webster, Cross, Wallace, Langley, Eout, E. N. Burton, Clark, Keid, Inglis, Moon, M. Niccol, Armstrong, Symond, Schapp, -mart, Harrison, Cleave, Green, Fenton, Eennick, W. Craig, Trous, W. M. Chapman, S. Vosper, Cattanack. Misses Reynolds, Baberstock, Wilson, A. Lock, Rennick, L. Primrose. M. Harley, C. Harley, Leaning, Jennings, Wendel, Coffey, A. Coffey, Neumegen, Byland, Niccol, Austin, N. O'Dowd, Topham, A. Craig, Pope, Wright, Last, L. Montgomery, J. Laman, H. Naden, Russell, Corder, E. McKeown, A. Knight, aDd Hyauiason. Amongst the gentlemen present were Messrs A. Jackson, Hewson, R. Wright, F. Massey, Craig, Spearman, Larsen, A. O. Carter, T. Inglis, W. L. Armstrong, Keefe, R. B. Symond, A. Erickson, Thompson, E. Posseniskie, Page, W. J. Geddis, E. H. Montgomery, Leslie Walker, A. E. Hatton, H. King, E. McEwen, J. Leonard, G. Fowlds, A. T. Hookey, H. B. Dexter, A. S. Russell, Dr. Walker, S. C. Caulton. C. Grey, W. Peet, G. Leaning, Reid, H. Ellison, Anderson, H. C. Tewsley, G. R. Crummer, J. A. Thomas, R. D Smith, T. P. Murray, Page, R. L. Holle, Strathern M. Moore ,Dr Tennent, it. McCallum, Dr Boor, A. Williams, W. Parkinson, Thomas, C. Marks, W. Jennings, Carrol, J. Pope, E. Rathbone, J. Henderson, Langley, Falkiuer, A. Cleave, Stewart, Cross, Wallace, T.Ellison, G. Knight E. W. Burton, H. Neumegen, A. Banelt, W. Dibble, Guthin, A. Kidd, J. Smart, Hine (H.M.S. Curacoa), W. Chapman, W. H. Fenton, S. Vosper, W. Siniminds, Goudie, J. Head, C. Ansell, Hansen, Ehrman, Austin, J. Frith, M. Niccol. H. Gojdwater, N. McCulskey, A. H. Jones, J. J. Hammond, a.. JtJ. Craig, J. Magee, J. iJarley, Eilis, D. H. Ross.

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