Fancy Dress Ball At The Premier’s.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 39, 24 September 1892, Page 956

Fancy Dress Ball At The Premier’s.

ONE of the most successful events of an unusually gay season at Wellington was undoubtedly the fancy dress ball given by the wife of the Premier at her residence, Tinakori Road, on Friday evening last. The affair was originally fixed for Friday in the preceding week, and was intended to take the form of a Butterfly Ball, all the little friends of Miss Kathleen Ballance being invited to appear in the character of those fragile-winged insects. Owing, however, to the Premier's illness the function was postponed, and ultimately others were invited to come in fancy dress, tothegreat satisfaction of large numbers of would-be participants who felt themselves past butterfly age. The beautiful ballroom was elegantly decorated with flowers, ferns and pot-plants, and when dancing was in full swing, the great mirrors reflected a scene of indescribable gaiety.

About 230 guests were present, two thirds of whom were in fancy dress, nearly a fourth being butterflies. These, led by Miss Kathleen Ballance, had a very pretty Spanish dance, ‘The Cachuca,’all to themselves about the middle of the evening. The sight was a singularly pretty one, as with gauzy wings outspread, slender arms waving, they

tripped daintily through the graceful steps. At the close a burst of applause broke simultaneously from the onlookers. An early suppsr enabled the younger guests to depart at a reasonably early hour, and then the young people of both sexes who helped to amuse the juniors had a good time, keeping dancing up till 1 am. The ball was in every sense thoroughly delightful, the cordial hospitality of the genial host and hostess disposing everybody to enjoyment from the outset. The folding doors between the ballroom and drawing room were thrown open, the latter accommodating a large number of interested spectators. Among the young ladies in ordinary evening costume might have been noticed : Miss Johnson, in black beautifully embroidered with gold and colours: Miss Speed, in a becoming dress of cream silk: Misses Henry, in black and white, respectively : Miss Blair, in black and white: Miss Seed, in blue with powderand patches : Miss Seddon. in yellow silk : Miss Venall. in Gobelin blue, powder and patches : Miss McKenzie, in salmon pink ; Miss McKellar.in cream silk : Miss Perry, in pink : Misses Drury. Anderson, and McG-egor. in cream silk. Among the grow n up spectators of the children s pleasure were Sir Patrick and Lady Buckley. Mrs W. P. Reeves. Hon. Mr and Mrs McKenzie. Mrs Seddon. Mr and Mrs Tolhurst. Mr and Mrs Stuart. Capt. and Mrs Mair. Mr and Mrs A. M. Smith. Mrs Baker, Mrs Zimmimore. Mrs Blair. Mrs Waldegrave. Mrs Anderson. Mrs Griffiths, Mrs Friend, and others, all of whom were in ordinary evening dress Of the fancy dresses, that of Pharoah's Daughter, worn by Miss Stafford, was undoubtedly the handsomest: Miss Rees, of Auckland. wore a graceful Greek costume, rendered more effective by her magnificent hair, w-hich. held back from her face by a golden fillet, floated in a wavy mass far below her waist. An exquisite toilet was that of Beautiful Snow, worn by that graceful little lady. Miss Pollen. Another beautiful costume was Normandy Bride, worn by Miss V. Rawson, whose elder sister appeared as Night: Misses Una and Giffie Williams made captivating Kate Greenaway girls: Miss White, a capital Britannia: little Miss Rivers was a pretty Blush Rose: Misses Tolhurst looked well as Mrs Dalrymple and Mrs Balchristie: Miss Olive Hickson represeated a Swedish Peasant ; her sister Eva was a fetching Tambourine Girl: Miss Ina Stewart appeared as a lady of the last Century : Miss K. Johnson. Tambourine Gir : Miss Dickey made a

very attractive Gipsy : Miss Tripe, an engaging Red Riding Hood Miss de Lostalot made an areh Irish Peasant: Miss Edith Somerville. a bewitching Queen of the Fairies : Miss White was got up very effectively as a Roman Lady, and Miss Wilson as Stars and Stripes. Japanese girls. Tambourine girls. Kate Greenaway s. Peasants of all nationalities abounded, as well as many pretty distinctive costumes, the names of whose wearers have escaped our correspondent. The young gentlemen's costumes were in some cases worthy of especial mention. Among these may first be placed that of Master Churton, a small boy, whose get-up

as a Nigger was simply perfect, and who seemed vastly to enjoy the sensation he made amongst the fair, graceful little butterflies. The most striking get-up, however, was that of Mr A. Iztrd, who made a distinguished-looking Louis Qnatorze. The Masters Gavan, as the Tower Princes, were dressed to very good effect in black velvet costumes, heightened by abundant flaxen curls clustering round their faces. Master Algar Williams and Master A. Tolhurst, as French Courtiers, were much admired. Mr T. Holmes appeared as Julius Csesar; Mr Charles Hickson, Rip Van Winkle ; and Master Molineaux, King of Spades. Master Blair made a capital Chinkie; and Master Richardson, first-rate Clown. Master Frank Smith made an elegant French Courtier, as also did Master De Lostalot, in terracotta plush and point lace. These, of course, were only a few out of a large total, but it is somewhat difficult to recollect individual characteristic actors in such a brilliant and constantly moving scene. Enough, however, that everyone present was effectively costumed, and all appeared perfectly happy. The whole proceedings were characterised by liveliness and energy of enjoyment, not always in evidence at such gatherings. Last, but not least, mention must be made of Miss

Griffiths, Mrs Ballance’s niece, who very ably supplemented the kind offices of her aunt, being indefatigable in her attention to the youthful guests. She was attired in a very becoming costume of black and gold. Mrs Ballance wore black lace trimmed with merveilleux, as did also many other married ladies present.