THE BALL TO COMMODORE LAMBERT AND OFFICERS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXV, Issue 3041, 3 September 1870, Page 5

THE BALL TO COMMODORE LAMBERT AND OFFICERS.

Foe some considerable tiino past the ball to the Commodore and his officers has been the theme of conversation, and — if wo may hint as much — the subject of a large amount of pleasant anticipation ox\ the part of the fair portion of our community. We venture to Bay that these anticipations were not dieappointed in the least by the actual result, and to express a hope that one of the most pleasing souvenirs of their visit to | Wellington that our naval visitors will take with them will be the memory of the Commodore's ball. Shortly after nine o'clock the carnages commenced to arrive pretty thickly, und it was evident that a largo company might be expected. The company, which numbered about 250, comprised members of both Houses of Parliament, . the Speakers (Sir D. Monro and Major RichardBOn), his Honor Judge Johnston, the Hon Premier, the Native Minister, Colonial Treasurer, and all the elite of Wellington. Before proceeding to give a description — in so far as is possible — of the brilliant scene, let vs — for the benefit of those who were so unfortunate) us not to be able to be present — briefly describe the arrangements made by the committeo for tho comfort of their numerous guests. The stage had been by a most ingenious arrangoment, convortod into an elegant drawing-room, where thoso who for a while tired of the " poetry of motion," might sit at their ease and view the ever-changing scene below thorn. Froni this, a temporary staircaso led through a grove of fern trees illuminated by Chinese lanterns, to the upper floor of Mr Dransfield'a store, which, for tho uonco had been converted into a roally elegant supper room. The large room to tho loft of tho etago was fitted up as a refreshment room, whero the Hebes and tho Gf-anymedes of mine hosts Domaoker and Moeller, disponsed such ambrosial nectar as claret or champagne cup. Beyond this, again, was erected a spacious marquee for tho convenience of those who wished for n cosl promenade, or, perhaps — we know such things do occur — to afford an opportunity for a quiet flirtation, removed from tho glitter and bustle of tho ball-room. Tho ontranco hall fronting Q-rey street was fitted up most luxuriously for the use of the ladies, and everything that could conduce to their comfort was done by tho stewards, who deserve the very highest commendation for the admirable munnor in which they discharged their onerous \ duties. Tho gentlemen's dressing rooniß wore also elegantly fitted up, and in leaving this part of the ) subject, we may say that the whole of the arrunge- ) ments of the stewards for the comfort of thoir [ numerous guests were perfect. But we are | lingering on tho threshold of the halls of dazzling light. Already " The sound of flvilo and fiddle Give signal sweet in tho hall Tor hands across and down tho middle" So let us enter, and plunging boldly into tho vortex of tarlatane, bouffo skirts, &c, noto the joyous scone. But soft ; who could describe tho ever varying aspect of tho Hall — tho glittering uniforms, tho bewildering drosses ; were wo even to attempt it tho result would bo a failure. We therefore abandon the hopeless task, and return to sober prose. Shortly after nine p.m., H.R.H. the Duko of Edinburgh, His Excellency tho Governor, Commodore Lambert, Captain Stirling, accompanied by tho Honorable E. Yorko, Lord C. Beresford, Lieutenant Huig, and Captain Pitt, arrived, and were received by tho Stewards, the. band playing the National Anthem. Tho signal being given, the ball commenced to tho strains of the baud of tho Galatea, " And ringlets wave, and beauteous feet, Swifter than lightnings part and meet." His Royal Highness opened tho ball with Mrs Johnston, the Commodore dancing with Mrs Richards, and His Excellency with Mrs J. P. Taylor. Tho poet has said " A thing of beauty is a joy for ever," and if this be truo, thoso present last evening will retain many pleasing memories. As we have said, it would be utterly useless to attempt to describe tho scene ; tho impression it loft on our mind was a bewildering obaoe of gold-lace, fluttering scarves, ribbons, waving tresses and flying feet; and as wo write, visions of tho stately laucei'3, tho oxhilirating galop, and tho seductive strains of Godfrey's vory last waltz, float before us. Shortly after midnight, the strains of that well-known air, " Tho Boast Beof of Old England," announced that tho stewards, in thoir discretion, were of opinion that exhausted nature required a gentlo stimulant. On reaching tho supper room, tho elegance and tasteful decoration of the tables and tho room generally, were the themo of universal remark. Owing to tho large number of guests tho whole of those present were unable to obtain seats at once, but this only served to display in a more marked degree tho gallantry for which our naval visitors are renowned, and " all wontjniorry as a marriage boll," Iho pop of champagne corks and tho crack of hon hons resounded on all sides. His Excellency the Governor occupied tho chair, having Comniodoro Lauibort on his right and H.R.H. tho Duke of Edinburgh on the loft; Major Richardson acting ns croupier. Aftor a short interval, His ExCELLENCr roso and said :— Your Royal Highness, ladies, and gentlemen — I rise to give you a toasb to which every Englishman always responds with enthusiasm, — " Our Most Gracious Queen." The toast was drank with three timoo three.

? His Excellency : Your Royal Highness, ladies, and gentlemen — The next. toaßt I have to propose to you is—" Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Edinburgh, and tho t Royal Family." We are most specially honored r on this occasion by the presence among na of our sailor Prince, whom I would wish heartily to welcome to New Zealand. His Royal Highness ' will, I feel sure, if occasion offers, prove himself > a worthy member of the noble profession he has . adopted, and a true scion of his Royal house. The toast was drank with great enthusiasm. His Rotal Highness said : Your Excellency, ladies, and gentlemen — I desire to return my ; cordial thanks for the enthusiastic manner in which you hare responded to the toast proposed by his Excellency the Governor, and I also desire to thank his Excellency, and you ladies and gentlemen, for this kind welcome back to New Zealand. Major Richardson then rose and said that tho toast he was about to propose was the health of a gentleman who had been performing a most arduous and difficult duty among them ; and who had carried out that duty in ti manner deserving the thanks of the people of the colony, and fully meriting the confidence reposed in him by her Gracious Majesty. Ho alluded to his Excellency tho Governor, who had so ably presided on thai occasion. But in proposing the health of tho Governor, he very deeply regretted the absence of Lady Bowcn, whoso presence among them during the session had been looked forward to with great interest ; still he hoped that this was tho last session they should have to regret tho absence of Lady Bowen ; and he trusted that tho next one would see her ladyship among them. His Excellency the Q-overnor, during a portion of his governorship, had been placed in the exceedingly extraordinary position of being a commander-in-chief "without any force to command. (Laughter.) He would not now trouble them further. (" Go on, go on.") Well, these encouraging remarks, and the bright smiles of the ladies in his immediate vicinity, emboldened him to proceed. The removal of the Imperial troops had been looked upon as severing the links in the chain that bound them to tho mother country ; but when they looked at tho fleet of noble vessels which now for some timo had been lying in the harbor of Wellington, ifc was impossible to feel that the day would over come-when they would regard that country whose flag floated over those vessels in any other manner than with feelings of tho deepest and most devoted loyalty. (Cheers.) He now gave them the health of his Excellency the Governor. Tho toast was drank most enthusiastically, with throe times three, and three cheers for Lady Bowcn. His Excellency said he felt very deeply tho kind manner in which the toast had been received, more especially on the part of Lady Bowon. Tho Stewards had done him the honor to ask him to preside on that occasion ; but, really, when he looked around him he saw many better fitted to I occupy tho position. On his right was the hon. Premier, whose eloquence required no stimulus from tho wine cup. (Laughter). Then there was his hon. friend Mr Stafford, the fire of whoso eloquence was well known. Looking further down the tables, ho saw the Speakers of both Houses, one of whom had had just favored them with a highly humorous speech. Ho regretted i the absence of Lady Bowen, but in the presentstate of Government House she could not come down to Wellington during tho present session ; yet ho hoped that next sessionXady Bowen would become a resident in Wellington. Mujor Richardson in his speech had spoken of the Governor and the Navy being the links which bound tho colony and the mother country in a bond of unity. Well, when they looked at the substantial proportions of Commodore Lambert and himself, they might rojoice that, these links were of co stout a character. Ho had now to propose tho toast of tho evening—" Tho health of Com-m.doi-o Lambert, and the Officers of the Squadron." (Cheers.) He did think that tho Speaker of the House of Representatives, whom he saw in tho distance, would, as a Nelson man, have been more fitly chosen to propose the health of Commodore Lambert and the officers of the squadron. He was quite awaro that he would incur the anger of the ladies by making a very long speech, and keeping them from the delights of tho dance, and really this was a very serious matter. It seemed to him that the flag which had braved a thousand years tho battle and tlio breeze had one very formidable clanger to cope with, and that was— the ladies— who ould spread so much sail when the weather was fair, or, — and he spoko this hi great fear— who cuukl get up steam quicker in stormy weather? (Laughter.) He would not detain them longer but proceed at once to the toast he had the honor to propose. From the very infancy of the colony the Royal Navy had been intimately connected with it, and had borne a conspicuous part in its history. When the removal by tho Imperial Government of tho troops from the colony took place, tho aid required by it in the hour of nejd was cheerfully and readily accorded by the nnvy. The Colonial Government hud had to make several requests to Commodore Lambert., and in every instance these requests hud been acceded to with a zeal and nkcrity which entitled that officer to tho warmest thanks of the colony— and in support of this ho might allude to tho despatching by Commodore Lambert of one of his vossels to Tuuranga, and continuing hsr there for some months, a service which was one of a very important nature, as tho presence of that ship at Tauranga, had in all probability averted the occurrence there of those horrors which took place, at Poverty Bay. Again, it would bo in tho recollection of those present how cheerfully Commodore Lambert had acceded to tho request niado to him by birnsolf (tho Governor) to despatch a vessel to the Auckland and Bounty Islands to search for the missing persons fivrn. tho ill-fated ship Matoaka 5 and had despatched not only one ship, but two — the half of his entire squadron— on this errand of mercy. Ho was pleased to note that tho servioea of the Commodore and the squadron had been recognised by both branches of the Legislature in New Zealand, who had passed votos of thanka to their distinguished guests for the very valuablo services rendered by them to the colony. Commodore Lambert had also received from tho Imperial Government a recognition of his services by having bestowed upon him the verjf highest distinction in his noblo profession, that of Naval A D.C. to her Majesty . In losing Commodore Lambert the colony not only lost 0 skilful and brave commander, but the very wide circlo of private friends which he had made during hia stay on the station would lose a thorough good fellow. (Cheers.) Of tho other officers of tho squadron ifc was impossible to speuk but in torma of the very warmest commendation. Some of them were to remain in tho colony for soru.o time yet, and ho felt sure ho was expressing tho sentiments of the people of New Zealand, when ho said that very deep regret would be felt at tho departure from tho station of those officers whosO duty called them to another part of the Empire. These gentleman had made many warm friend^ and as ho had said, unusual regret would bo felt at their departure. Ho also felt bound to record his admiration at tho very meritorious conduct of the crews of the variouß vessels in harbor. Although for .«omo time there had been over 800 men on board the various ships, he had not heard of any misconduct on their part. They should also recollect that while they were speeding the departing guest, thoy hud to welcome a newlyarrived one, in the person of Commodoro Sterling, who had come out to succeod their distinguished guest, Commodore Lambert, in the command o£ this station. Commodore Stirling bore a distinguished name, being a son of the founder and disco* verer of that portion of the Australasian colonies, over which their distinguished follow colonist Mi* Weld was now Governor. He had no doubt but that Commodore Sterling would do his duty in tho same admirable manner us their distinguished guest had done, and tho performance of whioh had made their names familiar as household . words throughout the whole ofthis portion of tho Empire. (Cheers.) He would HOW propose the

health of Commodoro Lambert a«d the officers of the Australian Squadron. (Loud and pvolouged cheering.) Commodovo Lambert, who was received on rising with loud cheers, said he felt very glad that ho had not ou this occasion, to return thanks on his own behalf ulone, as his name, had been connected with those under his command. On behalf of those, and more especially Unit portion of the squadron who were about leaving for home in tho Challenger, he returned his very sincere thanks for the kind manner in which the Governor had spoken of their services. Tho ([Governor had been pleased to compliment him upon the sorvicps rendered by him (the Commodore) to the colony, and had referred to his sending a ship to Tauvanga, and two to the Auckland Islands. But what did if. really amount to ? Why, simply that he was carrying out the instructions of tho Imperial Government, which instructions were to assist the colony by every means in his power. Of himself he would have been powerless to have rendered any service to tho colony without the consent of the Imperial Government, who would he fell assured, always come forward to render every assistance to the colonies which might be required, lie had no doubt thnt his successor would, as he himself had endeavored to do, during his 30 years service, carry out Ins duty faithfully and zcclonsly. Ho would derive to express the wnrni sense of gratitude entertained by himself and his officers, of tho manner in which they had been treated by the colonists during their stay on ibis station, lie again desired to thank them for the very warm manner in which the toast had been received (Loud cheers) At the conclusion of iho Commodore's speech, H.R.H., his Excellency thp Governor, and tho Commodore, rose and proceeded to the ball room. The first two or three dances after supper are, as is well known, the jolliest dances of the evening ; the little sociul ice which is tho attribute of tho civilised Briton molts into thin air, bright eyes flash and (he strains of tho music seems to be of a verity tho music of the spheres, and not merely the Constance, Mabel, or whatever the seductive strain may be designated. And tho first two or three dances after eupperat the Commodore's ball on Thursday was no exception to the rule. Our naral guests were of course tho hordes of tho hour, the ordinary dress rout of society standing no chance against, the charms of epaulets and naval uniforms ; like the renowned Ca>3ar they inscribed the proud motto "yeni t vidi,vicl" on their banners, and, strange' to say, tho conquered seemed rather to enjoy their defeat. But alas, as has been said by the poet " Pleasures arc like poppies spread," and even the most delightful of balls must come to an end ; the hoary-headed scythe man swept inexorably filonj/, although, had ho been permitted to take a peep at the scene of Thursday evening, we think it probable that for a few fleeting moments at leist- lie would have allowed his hour glass to slip from his fingers. But it was not to be, and the end came at lust ; the vevy last waltz was danced, and as chanticleer poured forth his salutation to the awakening morning, tho revellers dispersed, and in a short time faded bouquets or forgotten engagement cards were the only tangible evidences of what had been admitted on all hands to be tho very jolliest bull (gentle reader, pray excuse the colloquial adjective) which has been held in Wellington, and one which we hope will be marked in the diary of our naval friends with a white stone The Central Fire Brigade, under Capt. Moss, were in attendance during the evening in case of any accident, but fortunately nothing occurred to require their services. A small detachment of police under Mr Inspector Atcheson, were in attendance, and rendered efficient service in enabling the guests to enter the Hall without any inconvenience. In conclusion we would desire to compliment in the highest possible manner, the Stewards, and all those connected with the management of the ball; everything was done by them that could conduce to tho comfort and convenience of those present, and these gentlemen were almost übiquitous in the •discharge of their onerous duties. Great credit ia also due to those to whoni the task of decoration was confided, for the very tasteful manner in which it was performed. Altogether the bull was a great success, and the memory of tho Commodore's ball will remain for a long time a pleasing reminiscence in the minds of those who had tho pleasure of being present. We should not be doing our duty if we omitted to notice tho excellence of the arrangements of Messrs Moeller and Donnecker, they wore unexceptionable, and these gentlemen deserve every credit for tho excellence of their catering on the occasion.