NAPIER.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VI, Issue 28, 12 July 1890, Page 12

NAPIER.

Dear Bee, July 1. I must send you an account of the second annual ball of the Hawke's Bay Caledonian Society. It was held in the Di ill-shed, when every nationality to the number of four hundred was represented, embracing representatives from the northern, southern and western portions of the Hawke’s Bay district, and even beyond it too. The dresses were naturally representative of < ’aledonia, many guests wearing the nationaleostumeof most gorgeous type, whilst others sported badges of the tartans they favoured. One enthusiastic Highlander apfieared in a complete dress of the Clan MacDonald. Mr R. Smith, the genial host of the Masonic Hotel, is in his happiest mood on an occasion of this sort. He is said to be the most popular man in the Hawke's Bay Province. Being Hon. Secretary to the Society, he worked extremely hard to ensure the success which attended his efforts. Mr Smith is a wonderful athlete, and we are all proud of the numerous medals he has won by extraordinary athletic feats.

The following are some of the more striking of the ladies' dresses Mrs Ormond, black ; Mrs R. Smith, terracotta, with white tulle ; Mi's Bain, black, white, and scarlet ; Mi's Blythe, white silk ; Mrs Cresswell, white with tartan sash ; Mrs .lames McLean, dove colour; Mrs Joshua, black and cardinal ; Mi's J. P. Hamlin, white and canary colour ; Mrs P. Dindiddie, black and tartan ; Mrs Davidson, lavender silk ; Mrs Carlisle, salmon silk, Mrs Swan, black ; Mi'S (liftord, white silk; Mrs Hornby, white lace ; Mrs J. A. Smith, pale blue ; Mrs Gemmell, black lace ; Mrs S. McLean, old gold satin; Mrs Carr, cream satin; Mrs Grittin, black net; Mrs Palmer, black silk and canary coloured trimmings; Mrs Hannah, black lace, cream sash-, Mrs J. Cook, black silk; Mrs Barry, pink with cardinal ; Mrs Peddie, black lace ; Mrs Brassey, canary silk ; Miss Luckie, black and tartan ; Miss Newton, white ; Miss Ormond, white ; Miss McHardy, cream ; Miss N. Miller, lemon ; Miss A. Miller, pale pink ; Miss L. Miller, black lace ; Miss Anderson, fawn silk, trimmed with blue ; Miss Knowles, pale blue water silk, with pale blue net; Miss Reid, white; Miss Ferguson, pale blue net ; Miss Sutton, pale blue net; Miss Holt, white muslin ; Miss Webb, cream and cardinal ; Miss Hamlin, pale pink net; Miss White, black lace ; Misses Glendinning (2), white and pale pink ; Miss Marshall, white and all gold ; Miss Neville, white ; Miss Peddie, canary silk ; Miss Hitchings, all black ; Miss K. Hitchings, black and salmon ; Misses Faulkner (2), pink and rose ; Miss Newbould, black and rose ; Miss Beetham, white and gold; Miss Greener, black and scarlet; Miss Miller, black, gold, and tartan ; Miss K. Miller, white ; Miss 1. Miller, pink ; Miss Tiffen, pale blue ; Miss Barry, white and pale pink ; Misses Stothart (2), white and tartan ; Miss Roy, black net ; Miss Fernandez, white satin.

To attempt to specify the dresses of all the splendidly clad beauties of the ball would, I am afraid, till many columns. I was not at the ball myself, and must confess 1 am indebted to a friend for this description. liming the evening Messrs Mead and Stevens, two excellent dancers from Maraekakaho, went through some Sheauntreus, the time and gracefulness of step being perfect. Masters C. and \V. Smith (aged nine and ten years) were loudly applauded for a Highland Fling in company, the younger of the two being especially nimble. Later in the evening they earned further kudos for the manner in which they went through the sword dance, although the slippery floor made it difficult forthem to ‘ keep their feet ’ properly. A little girl named McCrae also daneed the Highland Fling in line style ; and a Caledonian ball would not have been a Caledonian ball—at least in Hawke’s Bay —if Mr R. Smith had not once more displayed his ability in sword dancing. But perhaps the best of all was Mr Stuart's sword dance ; he was loudly applauded on stepping into the room, and on concluding the dance. Mr Thompson’s splendid piping must not lie overlooked, and here again Mr Stuart shone, the time of these two gentlemen being all that the most fastidious Scotchman could wish for. Messrs Smith and McCrae also piped. The ballroom music was supplied by Mr Newbould’s string band of live performers, who gave entire satisfaction. Amongst the pieces played were several Scotch selections ; in fact the gathe ing was Scotch from beginning to end, and all present must have imagined for the nonce that they were born in the land of the thistle. Misses Holt and Hitehings provided the music (piano) for extra waltzes and mazurkas. Messrs Bear, Bain, Smith, and C. I*. Kennedy were the M.C.’s, and to Messrs J. W. Bear and \V. Bain are due the piaise for the decorations. The supper was in Mr Classford’s best style, and the refreshment booth was well looked after. It was half-past four when all had finally left for home. And thus ended the Caledonian ball of 1890, which we opine will not die out of memory till next year’s gathering is a thing of the past.

Pauline.