THE CAVALRY BALL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 7474, 25 July 1891, Page 2

THE CAVALRY BALL.

A Brilliant and most Successful ; Gathering.

Looked forward to in eager anticipation, enjoyed with the keenest zest, and remembered only with the most pleasurable feelings, the Alexandra Cavalry Ball stands out prominently as the dance of tho season, and the cause is not hard to seek, for the members of that popular troop use care and discrimination in the general management of the affair, bringing to their aid practical knowledge of what is requisite to conduce towards the comfort of | their guests, and good executive skill in the carrying out of the thousand aad one details so requisite thereto. The offect of many past successes is that for some considerable time before the ball eventuates, it is in •verybody's miad, and for days past the query baa been propounded by nearly everyone met— "Are you going to the Ball?" Answering in (ho affirmative, cross questions followed on various points, as to who was going, where a ticket might be procured, what Mrs Brown-de-Jones-Robinson was likely to wear, whether Miss Luvdance was likely to be in town, and so forth ; then the whole subject came under review as a current topic of table talk, and as suoh wai disoussed with avidity. "Just the night for a good dance," was tho general verdict last evening, aud so it was, for the weather could not have been better, and the guest, on arriving at the Drill Hall, thinking probably to be only one of a few of the early oner, was surprised to note tho number of fair youthi and lovely maids, who, having surmounted all tho troubles incidental to the removal of wraps, etc , were busily engaged in the profitable pastime of making engagements for those dances on their programmes that the taste or inclination suggested. On reference to the programme it was noticeable that the dances, numbering 24, had been selected with taste, there being no less thin eight waltzes, btsides which polkas, mazurkas, schottisohds, quadrilles, lancers, and so forth, were plentifully besprinkled throughout, while the inolusion of the popular "bam dance," the Hum Waltz, and a polka, composed by Mr Mark Neill, met with general acceptance. Now, while the guests are making engagements for the evening's fun, let us take a quiet stroll round the spacious hall, and notice the arrangements that have been made and so deftly carried out for the general enjoyment. The decorations, first of all, strike one as being really excellent, transforming the bare appearance of the hall altogether by the artistic arrangement of some beautiful specimens of ferns, gigantic nikau and other palms, ate,, while a large number of flags materially enhance the effect. Turning to the stage, we find that it has been made into a cosy retreat, where the wearied chaperon, relieved of her charge for the nonce, may rest in peace while surveying the giddy throng, discussing meanwhile many topics of interest with some of the more elderly male guests who " never dance, mv boy s" or, where the worshipper at the shrine of Terpsiohore may for a while seek immunity from the many importunities for " just one dance " from her many male admirers. It is a noticeable fact, too, that there is a decided preponderance of the sterner sex, and this adds materially to the enjoyment of the ladies, who are absolutely besieged, and moot you with a char mine insouciance at they inform you thit their programmes are " quite full." The tuning up of some instruments directs our gaze to a small gallery that hts been fixed hieh up, and almost screened by foliage, and here the musicians are placed, the bandconiistingof Messrs Armstrong (violin), Bichardson (cornet), Garner (clarionet), Neill (piccolo), Gower (piano), and Signal (bass). Then, at the extreme end of the hall to the right, there is a partly concealed recess, suggestive of a resort where sweet nothings may be murmured into the willing ear of a favoured partner, and where refreshment may be partaken of without interference. A large archway, composed mainly of some very huge and buautiful specimens of the nikau palm, interspersed with ferns, and so forth, gives aocess to the supper table, and here the caterer, Mr W, S. Dustin, has arranged in his usual tasty manner everything possible to tempt the palate or satisfy the never-oaasing demand for a refreshing beverage. Besides the more substantial dishes so bountifully provided, the hungry or thirsty guest finds there are others of a lighter natnre, and later on it was noticeable that the efforts of the confectioner were met with a decided and ceaseless demand for suoh delicacies as trifle, (there was very little, trifling with this, indeed), meringues, oream' puffs, and yet another disguised under the title of Fanchonette ala Vanilla (nobody seemed to bother about the name or pronaunciation, but it quickly vanished all the same). Those whose tastes lay in the direotion of "something cooling "were pleased to note that Mr Dustin hod this year again introduced in the choice menu some ie« pudding, variously styled crime au ratafia, ordme do riz, and 'crime de pistaohei ; and needless to say the handy little refrigerator in which they were made was in constant work. The liquors, too, were of excellent brand, in great variety, and dispensed by the numerous »taff of obliging and courteous waiters with unstinting hand. The lighting of the hall was well manipulated by the aid of many pretty coloured lamp shades throwing a subdued light on the surroundings and tending to materially harmonise the general effect of keeping the hall from becoming too warm, tending moreover to hide the blushes called up to many a fair cheok owing to the flattering comments made on the taste displayed by the ladies in the costumes worn, whioh may generally be critioiied as rich and handsome Amongst the many beautiful shades and colours estayed, it was noticeable that cream and white were deoided favourites, whilo innumerable pinks, blues, greens, and so forth, contrasted with the mote sombre hnt ever-popular blatk. It is estimated that about 200 couples engaged in the mazy dance, to say naught of the numerous onlookers, and in such a large assimblage it would be a matter of impossibility to do justice to the dressmaker's art; indeed, it was an exceedingly, difficult matter to aelecfc the fair one entitled to the >muoh>covetod honour of being " the belle of the ball," but it was pretty generally conoeded that a young lady attired in a beautiful shade of pink Bilk had few compeers, while another in white surah looked equally oharming. Of the married ladies, one in a very handsome light blue silk, faultlessly mode, and fitting to perfection was pronounced as being in the best possible taste ; another in canary satin, relieved by bright yellow ribbons, was justly considered as shown to distinct advantage; and a white silk, with very lengthy court train, also looked extremely well. Of the gentlemen, it was notioeable that a large proportion were in uniform, amongst them representatives from the difforont corps along the coast, and including contingents from Wairoo, Waverley, and Rangitikei, while the members of the Alexandra Cavalry were there, almost to a man. The gay uniforms, and the evening dress essayed by other male guests, contrasted well with the ladies' costumes, and the kaleidoscopic transformations as the happy couples whirled round the room to the strains of music made up a picture well worth witnessing. The different selections provided by tho instrumentalists provided food for most favourable comment, both as regards time and tune, the dances being pleasurably relieved, too, by intervals of sufficient duration to afford ample opportunity for a much-needed rest after the navigation necessary in steering a course to avoid the many dangers and discomforts arising from collisions, lho stewards appointed to manage the arrangements were Captain Watt, Lieutenant Harri'on, Lieutenant Higgie, Sergeant-Major Higgic, Sergeant Perry, Sorgeant Morgan, Troopers W. Jones, A. Cameron, and J. Bryce. Ihese gentlemen were indefatigable in their attentions to every matter of the smallest detail, and they are entitled to unqualified praise for the efforts made to contribute to tho very largo measure of success achieved, for although opinions may have differed as to the numbers present as compared with previous years, the consensus of opinion was that the Cavalry Ball 'ast njght was one of the most enjoyable given by the troop, and to them are due tfce thanks of the large numbor of town and country guests present for providing euob a brilliant gathering, amply evidenced by the general all-round enjoyment, and the very significant fact that dancing was continued with unabated vigor until past four o'clock this morning.

We believe tho Very Rev. Father Kirk will read the last encyclical letter of the Pope, which has produced such great effeot already in .Europe, in St. Mary's Church on to-morrow and the Sundays following.