BLENHEIM.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVII, Issue VI, 10 August 1901, Page 276

BLENHEIM.

Dear Bee. July 29. The Volunteer Bail, which wae given as a welcome to all returned members of the Contingents, but particularly to those of the Fourth and Fifth, which had just returned in the Tagus, has come and gone, and 1 am delighted to say was an immense success. The A'idunteer Ball is really an annual affair, which is usually arranged to take place in May, but was delayed this season in order that it might form a welcome to our returned warriors. For several days before we had almost incessant rain, but, fortunately, on the morning of the ball it ceased, and gradually brightened, and the evening was fine; but the extra work entailed Uy bad weather, or. rather, the difficulties under which it was done, have made those who carried out the arrangements declare that they will not take part in anything of the sort again. Mr Edward Parker, as secretary, was everything that could be desired, and his assistants were most zealous and painstaking. The hall was beautifully decorated with curtains, flags, banners, shields, and designs of small arms on a scarlet ground, and mirrors at intervals, while garlands of lycopodium were hung from the chandelier to the walls. Gas stoves warmed the stage, which was carpeted and furnished with couches and easy chairs, while two rooms at the back were fitted as card-rooms, the walls draped with purple and white and hung with pictures. The ladies’ dressing-rooms were in an adjacent building, and for the gentlemen a large marquee was erected. The sitdown supper, which comprised all sorts of good things, from eygnets to sucking pigs and trifles, fruit salads, etc., was set out in a huge marquee adjoining the hall, on four long tables, which were simply, but taste-

fully, decorated with long trails of lycopodium. Vaunini's Orchestra supplied excellent music. The room was ao crowded that it was rather difficult to notice the dresses worn, but the four debutantes could easily be distinguished, as the majority of ladies wore black toilettes. Miss Maude eiouston wore a lustrous white dress of merveillenx, in which she looked very sweet and pretty; the baby sleeves were of mousseline de sole, the pointed overskirt was edged with pearl passementerie, and the bodice was finished with white satin applique and chiffon; a lovely shower bouquet completed a charming toilette. Miss Annie Healy looked very handsome in white satin, with white chiffon, and white flowers on the bodice; Miss Josephine Horton looked extremely well in white gatin, prettily made, which she showed oft well with her erect carriage; Miss Maude Robinson was also in white satin, and looked extremely nice. Others present were Major and Mrs Ghaytor, the latter wearing a handsome black satin dress that scintillated with jet sequins: Major ’Rogers, Captain Bolson, D. 5.0., Lieut, and Mrs Pritchard, Captain and Mrs Powell, Lieut, and Mrs Baillie, Lieuts. Canavan, Keisail, D’Arcy Chaytor, and Troopers Fitzgerald, Murphy, Carey, McDonald, Western (2), Mason, Mr and Mrs J. Conoliy, Mr and Mrs J. Mowat, Mr and Mrs A. Mowat, Mr and Mrs liultne. the latter in black satin and jet; Mr and Mrs Reid, Mr and Mrs Dunn, Mr and Mrs MeArtney, Mr and Mrs McCallum, Dr. and Mrs Anderson, Mr and Mrs J. Foster, Mr and Mrs Clouston, the latter wearing a very stylish gown of white satin, patterned with biack, the most ehic costume in the room; Mr and Mrs F. Adams, the latter looking extremely well in black; Mr and Mrs Meehan, Mr and Mrs Imrie, Mr and Mrs Horton, Mr and Mrs Healy. Mrs E. Logan, Sergeant and Mrs- Mason, Mrs 11. March, who wore black, the bodice trimmed with white chiffon, spotted with black; Mrs Petre, Mrs Pritchard, senr., Mrs A. Farmar, who wore a lovely pale pink satin: Mr and Mrs Radcliffe (Picton), the latter wearing her wedding gown of rich cream brocade; Mrs Riddel! (Pieton), a beautiful green merveilleux patterned with white; Mrs Batty, Mrs J. Simson, Dr.

and Mrs Redman, Mrs Waddy. Mrs F. Greenfield, Mrs Carey, Mrs Macalister. Mrs Lucas, Mr and Mrs Howard, Mr and Mrs Shaw, Mr and Mrs Lusk, the latter looking- handsome in black silk finished with black lace; Mr and Mrs James, Mr and Mrs Buckhurst, Mr and Mrs Barr, Dr. and Mrs Innes, the Misses Dixon, Robinson. Denham, Purser, Mullen, R. Greenfield, McArtney, Bythell.

FRIDA.