NEW PLYMOUTH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 24, 11 June 1892, Page 598

NEW PLYMOUTH.

Dear Bee, May 30. The great event which has just been engrossing society here is the Volunteer Ball. It was a very grand affair. Devon street was thronged with cabs and carriages en route for the new Drill shed where the ball was to be held. DECORATIONS IN THE BALL ROOM. The Drill-shed is quite an imposing structure built for the most part of corrugated iron. The roof is groined, and has a very good appearance, and all round the floor there is a narrow raised platform with a single row of seats. One end was partly occupied by a temporary raised stage for spectators, and partly by an impromptu supper room. The last named was separated from the rest of the room by a perfect bower of ferns, trees (like Aladdin’s) having sprung up in a night. This formed the prettiest background for the pretty dresses of the many fair dancers, and the seats beneath the waving fronds were in great demand. The decorations were carried out under the management of Mr E. M. Smith, the member for the district, and reflected the greatest credit on his taste. This was quite the prettiest ball room New Plymouthites have ever danced in. The corrugated walls were almost entirely hidden by hundreds of flags and nikaus and reflectors, and there were many warlike weapons displayed. At one end of the room was the name ‘Waireka’ —a name dear to us‘all as being; the scene of one of our greatest victories. This was written in large letters of spangled green. At the other end the old Volunteer colours waved proudly over a trophy of drums, bugles, and other band instruments. These weie faithfully guarded all the evening by numerous relays of volunteers—of course, in uniform, and with bayonet in hand. THE BAND was in the middle of the room, and played'some excellent music. It really is a credit to the town, and we are lucky to possess so good a man as Bandmaster Garry. The latter part of the evening we danced to a small orchestra, and many preferred this to the rather loud strains of the band. The floor was very good. The first thing the band played that evening was the National Anthem, and I am glad to say that with only one or two exceptions everyone stood. PRETTY EROCKS AT THE HALL. And now to dresses (d la I’epys). Never befoie in New Plymouth have I seen such a pretty collection of frocks. So many were there that I haidly know where to begin, but begin somewhere I must, so suppose I start with a nianied lady, say Mrs Paul. Her dress was very lovely—pale pink silk or satin brocaded with bunches of flowers, mostly of dim blue ; the skirt had a long train, and was

trimmed with a good deal of broad pale pink feathertrimming ; Miss Faulder (Auckland) wore a very elegant gown composed for the most part of corded dull green silk, with petticoat of white, embroidered with a design of pale green ; the bodice scalloped, and had narrow chiffon and silk showing between ; Miss Hursthouse and Miss Helen Hursthouse had such pretty frocks of white erfipon and chiffon, made princess robe fashion, and with broad white ribbon', falling from the back of the low bodice to the bottom of the skirt ; giving the effect of a Watteau back ; Miss Ella Rennell had a lovely blue cashmere and satin, made very much in the same style; it suited her beautifully ; her sister (Miss A. Rennell) had a very pretty pink gown ; Miss May Fookes wore a very stylish and uncommon dress of green brocade, which suited her admirably ; Miss Ethel Fookes had on pale pink flowered*ilk ; Mrs Connet wore handsome cream satin with silver tinsel : Miss Hammond, black and gold tinsel; Miss Mclndoe (Auckland), pale pink with black lace over it; Miss Stuart, black lace over white silk, and her two sisters wore white and tinsel ; Miss Standish had a charming shimmery blue silk , Miss Glynes, white striped satin ; Mrs (Dr.) Leatham, pale blue silk embroidered with gold ; Mrs C. W. Govett, palest green striped Pongee silk, beaded ; Mrs Kettle wore amber brocade and net train ; Mrs Fred. Bayly, corded white silk with Watteau train, a cluster of peacock feathers at the side ; Miss Constance Bayly, thick white silk and tulle; Mrs W. G. Malone, black net; Miss Read, pale blue silk and striped gauze ; Miss Devenish looked very nice in black watered silk and lace with cluster of pink feathers; Miss Nellie Webster, white chiffon and satin ribbon, with silver flowers ; Miss Mabel Humphries, amber satin covered with silk lace (a very pretty dress); Miss Pratt had on amber Pongee silk and lace ; Miss Emily Hamerton, cardinal net; Miss Turner (Patea), deep red brocade and net; Miss Harley (Nelson), white net; Miss Woods, pink brocade ; Mrs W. J. Penn, heliotrope tinselled net ; Mrs W. H. Trimble, black lace and cream colour ; Miss Kate Young, blue silk ; Miss Watkins, rose coloured net with feather trimming; Miss Olive Tuke. pale pink net: Miss Arron, black net and scarlet; Mrs Curtis, black and amber; Miss Norah Carthew,sulphurcoloured flowered silk ; Miss E. Carthew, blue nun’s veiling ; Mrs Murphy, black silk, the front being of black lace over yellow (a very handsome dress) ; Miss Dalziel, white brocade and fur ; Miss leed, heliotrope silk and nun’s veiling ; Miss Montgomery, cream colour ; Mrs Stahl, palest pink net and feathers; Mrs R. D. Colson, black net with clusters of buttercups; Miss Valentine, pale pink cashmere and chiffon ; Miss Bramley, black net.

These are a few only of the dresses. It is said that four hundred people were present. The supper was excellent, being mostly contributed by the ladies. Two of the gentlemen also acted as M.C.’s, and did their work very well. The next excitement will be the assemblies, which begin on the Bth of June. I must write and tell you about them, and also about the Ladies’ Literary and the Mutual Improvement Society, which have both begun work again.

Mignonne.