WANGANUI NAVAL ARTILLERY BALL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIII, Issue VI, 11 August 1894, Page 140

WANGANUI NAVAL ARTILLERY BALL.

When the Wanganui Naval Artillery give a ball they believe in doing the thing well. Their annual function, held in the Drill Hall on the evening of Friday, the 27th July, was more than a success—it was a triumph, and the results must have been gratifying to those who toiled in making the arrangements necessary, as their « fforts had not been wasted. The large and lofty ha 11 was appropriately decorated. The banners aloft testified io the unflagging industry of P.O. Kite, assisted by Gunner Beasley, who together were answerable for the effective and appropriate decorations. In addition to the flags aloft the walls were garnished with circular trophies contrived out of cutlasses, bayonets, and other lethal furniture of proper naval type. Here a grand mirror enabled the passing dandy to check the errors of his white tie and quiz the ladies without deliberately staring at them ; here a cosy room for retiring and bashful couples did duty for ‘the milk white thorn ’of Burns’s poem. A special and central feature of THE DECORATIVE ARRANGEMENTS was the ice grotto, which, nicely upholstered and decked out with fern and other greenery, was one more hiding place for those who desired to see yet be themselves unseen. In the grotto, and to justify its name, were two columns of clear ice. four feet high and about a foot thick. Lighted from behind, the translucence of the columns was well shown off. These novel features were obtained from the Wanganui Freezing Works. The approach from the floor to the stage was by means of a stairway as wide as the stage itself, and firmer than is usual with most such temporary contrivances. Carpeted over, it afforded a great extension of sitting room, and when, at intervals during the evening, it was crowded with ‘fair women and brave men,’ made a pleasing tableau not to be forgotten. For this useful stairway and such other carpentry work incident to the occasion Gunner Maclean was responsible. The interludes for refreshments had been well provided for by C. P. O. Dustin, chief of the catering department; those who had not lost their appetites as well as their hearts had reason to be grateful to him, for the spread was a feast for the eye as well as for the inner man and woman. The table decorations included an Eiffel tower and a model of the Bombay (India) fountain in trifle, hams and cakes, with the de vices proper to the Naval Artillery, and the usual ornamental plantsand flowers for table decoration. Soun—very grateful on such a cold night—coffee and tea, and sonic anti-prohibition fluids, with the regulation pastry and sandwiches, filled out the bill of fare first and the guests afterwards.

THE ILLUMINATION WAS UNCOMMONLY GOOD. In addition to thirty-six Chinese lanterns, there were three powerful Wenham lights, each of 250 candle power, and with the reflections from the sword blades on the wall and from bright eyes helped to make the ball brilliant. I’he programme was a fairly heavy one twenty-four items with extras; the floor had been got into good order, and over three hundred and fift y guests figured thereon 'i’he dresses, sufficiently fresh and tasteful, were not particularly noticeable, nor indeed <1 id there seem to have been much attempted in the way of grand toilettes, which perhaps accounted for there being less in the way of failure. To the passing visitor, most of those present were st rangers and not readily identifiable, but the scene was

ONE WHIRL OF BRIGHT COLOURS, bright faces, and bright eyes, that grew brighter as the night w’ore on. The night was cold, and you had to dance to keep yourself warm; during the intervals cloaks and wraps were in requisition. 'l’he music, quite sufficient as it proved for so large a hall, was provided by Messrs Gower. Richardson. Garner, and Armstrong. To notice a few of the dresses and dress-wearers, and toplead ignorance for omissions where inquiry failed : it is quite possibly invidious to state nowadays who is the belle of the ball and at the Wanganui ball difficult to determine, there being a wealth of candidates. Be that as it may. Miss Cronin, in dark pink, for favourable appearance and graceful dancing could not be left out. 'l’he ’ Wanganui beauties’ (Miss Roddy, cream and cardinal, and Miss Clarke, cream and amber) were conspicuous by their pre sence. and it would be hard to choose in their case; secnapart, you preferred the one you saw. seen together you liked both best. It. would take the courage of Paris and the wisdom of Solomon to decide, and as we remember, Solomon proved his wisdom —instead of making a difference and suffering for it, like poor Paris, the Hebrew King chose largely. There wore many other Wanganui beautiespresent.it must be remembered, only faineleas because nameless, ail to the loss of thereaderand the writer. But to continue with our list of names secured : MrsChavanne was favoured in her choice of pale blue satin ; and Mrs Foster in light brown, an excellent choiceof colour; Miss May Durie’s costume, cream satin with t winkling jewelled adornments, caught many an eye; Miss Tasker, a petite in pink and maroon ; Miss J. Durio in a rich costume of light blue satin and Gobelin velvet; Miss Higgle, in amber —were identified stars in the constellation. One dress, a seventeenth century mode, green slashed and caught up with white satin, was l»oth suitable to and effective on the wearer, a lady whose name was not. to be obtained. 'l’he M.Cs. and the committee. Dr. Saunders. Lieut. Neill. P. <>. Gordon and P. <). Willis, Hon. Sec., Captain <’lapham, and Gunners lx>ve and Bell, had every reason for satisfaction at the outcome of their labours at and ‘ After the Ball.’