PATEA.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume V, Issue 41, 11 October 1890, Page 12

PATEA.

Dear Bee, September 27. Thinking you might like to hear from our part of the world, I am writing to let you know a little about what we are doing. The principal amusement this year seems to be dancing. Fancy dress balls, bachelors’ balls, and assemblies come in succession until one is tired out. I read in some clippings from a Paris journal the other day that dancing was dying out, but perhaps their best dancers have emigrated to New Zealand, and that would account for the vivacity that is thrown into the dances here, most noticeable being the ‘ larrikin polka,’ but it is needless to describe that. The other evening a dance was given by the bachelors at Kakaramea. Aboutthirty couples were present, and dancing was kept up till two o’clock. The floor was perfect, a few of the committee having danced it into order the night before. More than half the ladies were in white, but a few in colours are well worth mentioning. The prettiest was a soft-looking crushed strawberry zephyr, triiumed with cream lace, and ornamented at the back with a lace sash ; another nice dress was composed of pale blue with a tiny white stripe, made with a round bodice, long lace collarette and puli’sleeves ; a pink muslin skirt, with black velvet bodice trimmed with beads and feather trimming looked very nice, and another very stylish dress was of pink broche, with black lace drape and pink ribbon. < hie of a series of entertainments, held in aid of the Church of England, was unhappily another failure. To tell the truth there is nothing in them to attract public attention, and although such an amount of time and attention is given to them, they fall flat: if there was only some variety to offer, such as comediettas, tableaux vivants, in fact anything but these glees and rounds, though they are pretty enough, but one does get so tired of them. The ball of the season was given at Hawera by the bachelors, and I am sure by its success they can tell how it was appreciated. 1 do not know the exact number of people who were there, but at first the crush was rather great. The stage, hall, and s pper-rooin were tastefully decorated with tree ferns and nikau palms, the stage also being comfortably arranged with chairs, sofas, etc. A happy thought was serving the claret cup before supper. Nothing 1 know of is so refreshing, especially when one is

heated with dancing. Mr Higham’s band, though not perfect in every res|iect, gives promise of being a notable one in time. But I suppose you want to hear about the dresses; one really wants to be an artiste to describe them. I think the prettiest and most graceful dress was Miss Buchanan’s, made of cream satin with semi train, the bodice gracefully ornamented with loops of beads and bunches of glass and leaves; Mrs Tonks, black velvet; Mrs Kettle (New Plymouth), pale blue fish net, large bunch of daffodils in the corsage ; one lady whose name I did not know looked well in grenat velvet and satin with Medici collar, though I can’t say I admire the Medici collars for everyone ; Mrs Godsal, white satin, the front draped with very handsome lace ; Mrs Barton, black lace, jet beads ; Miss Brown, cream fish net skirt, satin bodice ; Miss B. Jollie, white net and satin ribbon ; Miss M. Jollie, white net embroidered with white butterflies ; Mis Nolan, pink fish net; Miss J. Dury looked very elegant in white net, and her sister in pale pink ; Mrs Major, steel bodice and handsome black skirt. One very striking looking dress was composed of red satin and net, which suited its dark wearer to perfection. Among those dressed in black net 1 noticed Mrs G. Bayly, Mrs and Miss Cowern, Miss Walmington, Miss Young and Mrs McGuire. Miss Fantham wore a rather uncommonlooking gown of white muslin embroidered in black. If I describe all the ladies who wore white, pink, and blue, I am sure your patience would be quite exhausted : of course they all looked charming. The extras were played by Miss Young, Miss Dury, and Mr Barton, and this most delightful ball broke up about half-past two.

Marian.