GARRISON BALL

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7826, 19 August 1904, Page 5

GARRISON BALL

A Pronounced Success.

A Most Enjoyable Function.

The first annual Garrison Ball, held in the Town and Drill Halls, last evening, was a decided success from every point of view. The attendance was estimated at from one hundred and twenty to one hundred and thirty couples, who all appeared to enjoy themselves immensely. Amongst those present were the following visiting officers— viz., Captain Pringle (Palmerston Mounted Rifles), Captain Kinsey (Herataunga Mounted Rifles), Captain Pownall (unattached list), and Captains Cameron, Charters, Lieutenants Whittaker, Mcl-illop, Te Tau, Morton and Quarter-master Sergeant Te Tau.

The Town Hall was used as a promanade room, and the decorations in tbe Drill Hall were very tastefully arranged, the walls being hung with several fine military pictures, mirrors and tapestry; while overhead was one mass of artistically-arranged flags, which had been so displayed as to a most brilliant effect. The floor was in excellent order, the pre--1 paration of which, in conjunction with the decorations, was carried out by a hard-working and enthusiastic Committee, under the capable direction of Lieut. Whittaker and Sergfc. Major Brighting. There were a large number of members of the various Corps present, and the different coloured uniforms lent additional charm to the scene, which was a most picturesque one. Many very handsome dresses were worn, and such a splendid display of evening costumes as distinguished last night's function is seldom seen in Masterton.

The responsible duties ot M.'sC. were efficiently carried out by Captain Charters, Lieuts. McKillop and Morton, Q.M.S. Te Tau, and Corporal Ayson, all of whom were untiring in their efforts to cater for the enjoyment of all present, and are to be congratulated on the result of their labours.

An excellent supper was served on the stage of the Town Hall, which had been appropriately decorated for the occasion. The table ornamentation was also exceedingly well arranged, and of the variety and excellence of the viands provided, nothing but the highest praise can be accorded the untiring efforts of the Ladies' Committee, who controlled every detail in this department, which was presided over by Mrs Nicol, President of the Ladies' Committee.

A programme of twenty-six dances was gone through to excellent music, an indispensable factor in tbe complete success of a function such as that under notice —which was provided by an orchestral band of six players under the direction of Mr Reihana Boyes. Extras were played by Mrs Wilkin., and Misses Dupre, Baker and Brady.

The onerous duties of Joint Secretaries were carried out by Lieutenant Morton and Trooper Todd,, and they will no doubt feel rewarded for their energy and enthusiasm in the self-satisfaction that the efforts of the various committees and themselves resulted in a function which is admitted on all sides to have been a pronounced success in every essential respect.