NAPIER.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIII, Issue II, 14 July 1894, Page 44

NAPIER.

(Delayed.) Dear Bee, June 26. The commencement of the month’s festivities was A GRAND BALL given by Mr and Mrs Beamish in the Princess Theatre, Hastings, which in every way was an unqualified success. It had been raining heavily for three days before.and there was a talk of postponing it. However, the day dawned fine and bright, so the original date was kept. Special trains were laid on for the convenience of the town guests, which was infinitely preferable to the general way of going out in drags, being more expeditious and satisfactory in the event of the weather not always being fine. It’s rather trying to one’s temper to get one’s best frock ruined on the way out in a dirty drag. Coaches also met the train to convey the guests to the ball room. The decorations were simply lovely. I was not at the ball, but had the privilege of seeing the room in the afternoon, and certainly the arrangements and decorations w’ere designed splendidly, and the Princess Theatre looked a veritable fairy bower with the ferns, toi toi, and draperies. The band was arranged in a new way, viz., in the centre of the hall. Mr and Mrs Beamish ana Miss Beamish and her brother were indefatigable in attending to the wants of the guests, and no one was a wallflower, so, naturally, everyone enjoyed it. Mr and Mrs Jamieson (nee Miss Beamish) were present, but. unfortunately, Mr Nathaniel Beamish and Mr Willie Beamish, owing to the flooded state of the rivers, were unable to get down. Mr and Mrs George Beamish, from Whana, and Mr Beamish’s nieces, the Misses Lowry, attended the ball. It was a fashionable gathering. THE GUESTS. I cannot attempt to tell you of every one present, but will enumerate a few : Miss Beamish wore a lovely gown of bright yellow silk which fitted exquisitely; Miss Cara Russell looked lovely; Miss Russell wore brown and cream ; Miss Beatrice Lascelles wore her red silk (a handsome gown) which suited the brunette beauty of the wearer to perfection ; Mrs and Miss Sydney Johnstone, Miss Inglis, Mrs Milne Thompson, Mrs H. Tylee, Mrand Mrs Tom Philson. Misses Cotterill (two), Chapman, Fulton, and Baker, Mrs Arthur Kennedy, who was much admired in her wedding gown ; Miss Rhodes, Miss Locke, eau-de-nil surah ; Mrs and the Misses Williams (Frimley), Miss Nelson, black and green. However, I must hurry this on and reserve a little space for the annual Caledonian ball. Champagne and iced drinks were going all the evening. The supper table, beautifully laid out and groaning under the weight of its delicacies, was a marvel of culinary art. I did not think the CALEDONIAN BALL was quite so enjoyable or well attended as on previous occasions. The Scotchmen, in their kilts, were also conspicuous by their absence, in a good many instances. However, the ball was a great success, and I enjoyed it thoroughly, although by the band being placed in the centre of the room I missed my reversing, which was almost impossible with the orchestra where it wasand it was rat her deafening. Mrs Handyside, in her lovely wed. ding gown withan immense train, was much admired: Mrs R. 1). Douglas Maclean, who does not often go to any Hawke’s Bay dances, looked beautiful in an English gown of white and silver embroidered ; her diamond ornaments were, of course, unequalled ; Mrs James Maclean wore pure white; Mrs J. B. Kells, a fresh gown of black brochd with big bows of yellow silk and severs of yellow ; Mrs Wood, white silk with green velvet sleeves; Mrs Sidney [Johnstone wore an elegant gown of broch6 with bright crimson velvet sleeves ; her draughter wore yellow ; Miss Inglis, black; Miss Lascelles, crimson silk; Miss Dinwiddie, heliotrope; Mrs and the Misses Ormond, both sisters wore pretty white gowns; Miss Flossie Bell, I never saw look so well as in a new frock of yellow silk, exquisite in its extreme plainness; Miss Florence Sutton, yellow ; Mrs Milne Thompson (who always looks well) wore an art looking dress ; Miss Fulton, cream silk; Miss Hilda Fulton, her pretty white gown ; Mrs and the Misses Henderson (two), Miss Adele Baker, black with scarlet flowers; Miss Troutbeck, white, with tartan silk sash in compliment to the Caledonians; Miss Miller, black ; Miss Peddie, black velvet; one young lady, I did not learn her name, looked very well in white. Now I must tell you of MR MAUGHAN BARNETT’S PIANO RECITAL. It was better attended than any of the afternoon recitals, which shows how popular the concert programme is when Mr Barnett contributes all the items himself. Every piece he played was a gem. Amongst theaudience were Mrs and the Misses Ormond. Mrs Barnett, Mrs Wood, Mrs Reed, Mrs Ludlow (New York), Mrs Margolionth. Miss Lascelles, Mrs and Miss Cornford, Mrs Kinross White. Misses Cotterill (two), Mrs Jago, Miss Fraser. WANDERERS. A number of our residents are still taking advantage of the excursion fares to see the beauties of the Australian colonies. Mr Frank Hutchinson and Mr E. Chapman left by the Mararoa last Saturday. Mr Hutchinson, who is an artist of no mean repute, will enjoy the Art Galleries. I hear it is Mr Hutchinson’s intention to go to England at some future date and pursue his studies in art. Miss Ringwood’s classes (gymnasium) arc proving very attractive, she having a considerable number of pupils.

Gladys.