THE EXHIBITION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4429, 5 July 1882, Page 4

THE EXHIBITION.

OHILDEEN'S FANCY DRESS BiLL,

Last eight the young folks had an opportunity afforded them for using the Fine Arts Gallery and Concert Hall of the Exhibition building for the same purposes that so many of their seniors havo hitherto done, the Children's Fancy Dress Ball being held in the former, ard the necessary refreshments being served in the latter. Some four hundred little ones had accepted the invitations issued by the Committee, and certainly fully that number were present ; but as, in addition to the children, a large percentage of parents and guardians attended, the throng in the ballroom can readily be imagined, lhe event had excited no little interest in the minds of those who make the Exhibition their nightly resort, and at 7 o'clock in the evening, whon the first of the guests arrived, there was a large crowd ready to criticise the several costumes. From the hour named until after 8 o'clock, a steady stream of little ones with their chaperones passed from the cloak room to the. Fine Arts gallery, and as from time to time an unusually well dressed character appeared, loud applause or goodnatured laughter greeted him or her. The characters assumed were unusually varied, and to enumerate them would be a needlessly onerous task. Among them were, as has already been hinted, some which had evidently been carefully thought out in respect to every detail, with a result which must have been gratifying to all concerned. Without invidiously singling out for mention any special costume, a few of those which most readily caught the eye may be given. These were a most picturesque Bobinson Crusoe ; a dear little " tot," " got up " to perfection as the Queen of the Fairies ; a facsimile of General Tom Thumb j a genuine " Son of the Sod," of like proportions j a Koyal Stuart ; a Royal Tudor ; Joan of Arc ; Patience ; America ; a Cingalese Merchant; Josephine (the Daughter of the Begiment), and Josephine (tho gallant Captain's Daughter) ; Fra Diavolo ; Maritana • a Maori ; a Toreador, from " Carmen " ; allegorical representations of Winter, Night, &o. ; Little Buttercup ; Sir Joseph Porter ; Bunthorne ; and Scotch Lads and Lassies, Collegians, Turks, Greeks, Niggera, Cavaliera, Clowns, Indians, Watteau Shepherdesses, &c. — a motley assemblage. Tho Bcene, when tho diverse colours of the costumes were passing and re-passing, as the children engaged in the dances to the strains of Schwartz's band, was very charming, and will not readily be forgotten by those who witnessed it. Shortly after nine o'clock refreshments, catered by Mr Buggy, were served in the Concert Hall, whero the members of the Committee , assisted by numerous ladies, wore indefatigable in their attention to the wanta of the little ones, who appeared to thoroughly enjoy the good things provided. Dancing was thon resumed, and continued till about midnight ; many of the youngest of the party, however, having boen taken home previously by considerate parents. Doubtless the children's ball of last night will form an epoch in the lives of those who were so privileged us t j enjoy it.