COUNTRY NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2198, 23 May 1908, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

TUPAROA. (From our own Correspondent.) Tlio committee of tlio Wuiapu J Dog Trial Club (of whom the im milUgablo secretary, Mr. Gerard A\ llliinnfi, deserves special mention) must bo congratulated upon the unqualified success of their annual ball,-hold m J uparoa on tho 15th lust. I lie bi e dumping shed was divided 11ll | u i 1 ballroom and a suppor room, both large enough to accommodate the guests (numbering between sixty anil seventy couples), without any liiconvon iont ‘ crowd i ng. Not \v it lust uid mg tlio fact that some 2J5 bales of wool which tho Haupiri. had failed- to ship wero stacked in the hull, some wero skilfully piled against tlio oastand west walls, and the rest formed a vei',- massive partition between the ball and supper rooms. Temporary dressing rooms wore built on tho platform outside, and seats wore placed round tho walls. Tlio hall was moot tastefully decorated with the spoils of tho hush, with troo ferns ami wiiiwaikoko, winch formed an effective background for handsome bunches of autumn leaves and yellow chrysanthemums from Afr. Sydney AVilliams’ garden. Tho sanio color scheme prevailed in tlio suppor table decorations, and was oven carried out in tho programmes with tlioir lettering, {pencils, and cords of old gold. Tlio success of a country hall to which, ns in this ease, many of tho guests come great distances—some thirty, some sixty, and some an hundred miles—is absolutely endangered by many circumstances, which in town would cause at the worst some

slight inconvenience. Flooded rivers or boggy roads may imprison the invited guests. A heavy surf may prevent tlio landing of supplies, tho bulk of which must of necessity come by sea. The music must be provided by volunteers who have to travel from widely-scattered homes to attend practices. All tho work of turning a mueh-nsed woolsliecf into a dancing hall lias to ho done by enthusiastic workers, who can coht?svo to snatch time 1 from tlioir ordinary work to ride in from “the hackblocks” and lend a hand for an hour or two from time to time in the task of transformation. Hospitable householders within a radius of ten or twelve miles throw open their homes to entertain visitors; and. in common with others still further away, supply contributions to the supper. All These tilings entail a Vast amount of extra work which is done enthusiastically and ungrudgingly, even when it is impossible to got efficient (or other) help in tho house. For weeks the promoters of such a dance have an anxious and busy time, and, in the present case, some magic known only to the initiated had to bo worked at the eleventh hour when it became certain that the.Haupiri would not return to unload the dishes, cutlery, claret, lemonade, and other necessary supper supplies which she had carried past. In that magic the telephone played a prominent part. Extra contributions were levied from far anil near, and no evidence of any deficiency; was visible when the supper hour arrived. Considering these circumstances it was a great satisfaction to everyone concerned when the entertainment proved a great success. The weather was perfect, and the full moon throw a romantic glory upon the sea and on the white foam on the long slow breakers, rolling up the beach with a cooing murmur that added '.the last touch of enchantment to tlio night. Tho orchestra, consisting of piano, three violins and a triangle, provided most excellent music. The performers, Airs. Kemp, and Alessrs Cowley, Nicklin, liolworthy, and Watkins had madiT'ii most popular choice of dance lmisiCj which they played delightfully. Others who contributed extras and dances in the second part wore Alosdames AVilliams, Kemp, Ludbrook, tho -Misses Kemp, Downey, AVilliams, Rees, and Gerard, and Air. Arnold AVilliams. The suppor, from turkeys and salads to meringues and devilled almonds, through all the intermediate stages of trifles, jellies, and fruit salads, was uniformly excellent. Dancing began at S o’clock and was carried on with great spirit until nearly 3 a.m. The dresses of tho ladies were remarkably pretty and fresh looking, anil would have graced any city ballroom. Airs. Ludbrook acted as hostess. iSho was handsomely gowned in white chiffon taffetas, with becoming white osprey in tier hair. Among others present were Airs. Kemp, wearing black silk, trimmed with white laco; Airs. Ken AA T illiams, pale pink silk; Airs.' AVickstecd, black velvet rclioved with white; Airs. Bull, cream brocade; Airs. Burleigh, white chiffon taffetas; Airs. Brodriek, black voile; Mrs. Downey, black silk; Airs. Heald, black silk, and pink roses ;Alrs Mahoney, black velvet; Airs. Stokes, palo blue silk; Airs. O’Ryan, black silk; Airs. Skitch, pale blue silk; Airs Aladdox, black silk; Airs. AlcGuire, white muslin; Aliss Williams; white silk; Miss. R. AVilliams, white muslin, trimmed with laco; Aliss Boos (Gisborne), eau-do-uil, ninon-do-soie; Aliss Sherratt. (Gisborne), black silk and Brussels laco bertho; Aliss IC. Sherrat, white silk, trimmed with laco; Aliss AI. Sherratt, orange silk, trimmed with black velvet; Aliss Zolande Sherratt, white muslin; Miss On(Gisborne), white Japanese silk; Aliss T. Busby (Tokomaru), pale pink mou-sselivo-dc-soie; Aliss H. Busby, pale green silk and pink roses; Miss Higginson, white muslin and silk; Aliss Dunlop (Gisborne), pale pink silk; Miss N. Alahoncy, flame-colored silk, trimmed with darker shade of vel•ot; Aliss C. Alahoncy, white muslin; Miss E. Kemp, cream silk, trimmed with floral ribbon; Aliss AAhitkins. wliito silk over pink; Aliss Alny Alnloney, cream silk; Aliss Maggie Maloney, pale pink.silk; Aliss. At. AVillinms, black voile skirt, white silk blouse; Aliss Downey (To Araroa), pale pink voile, trimmed pink ribbon velvet; Aliss TJ. Downey, pale blue silk; Aliss Dines (AVaipi.ro), cream silk; Aliss ‘Williams (Tokonilira), white silk; Aliss, Gibbons', black velvet and white lace; Miss AI. Oit, white silk; Aliss Babington, oocjnelicot red; Aliss Dalton, white silk: Aliss Gerard, pale blue silk; Aliss Alilner. green, with white hire; Aliss Cave, black skirt, white blouse; At.ir« Walker, white muslin. blue snslj; Aliss Kingston, pale blue silk.

There were also present the 1!r-v. F. Long, Messrs K. R. Williams, W. Shorratt, Ludbrook (2), G. T. Williams, A. Ti. Williams, Oswald 'Williams, Wicksteed, Bull, Watkins (21. Burleigh; Kemp (2). Maddox, Wood, C. Williamson, R. Williamson. Reid, Sherriff, Tyldcii, Alien, Wilder, Clark. Kingston, Mahoney, Cowley, Warbriek, Micklin, Nolan, NeliT.” Walton, Giessler, Skitcli, Beach, Smith, Heakl, Jones, Oates, dcMontalk, Taplin, Tobin, Williamson. Next day many of those who had come into Tupnroa for the hall attended the football match between Tokomaru and Tupnroa, which was played on the racecourse at Mangaohanea. Several vehicles and a steady stream of riders, the great majority being natives, gave tlio Waitekaha Creek road an unusual 'liveliness, and bore witness to the great public interest in the match. The game was brisk and well contested. Nolan, captained the home team, and Te Aorere Matakihi the visitors. Gray scored the first try lor Tupnroa, .ami shortly afterwards Cockcry (Tokomaru) got behind with the ball, blit before the first spell ended Tupnroa was again leading, Babington having added another three points to their score. In the second spell Erekana and Newton secureil twq more tines for the visitors, while Tuparon failed to score in psite of some determined rushes. When time was called To-, komaru were the winners, the score, standing 9—6. Among those who played a good game for the home team were Hamilton (full hack). Nolan, and Williams: while Neal played a steady defensive game. The afternono, though bright, .was chilly, afternoon, though bright,.was chilly, fires round the ground to keep themselves warm.

In the evening the visitors were entertained at dinner in McGuire’s refreshment rooms, which were festi-

36 sat down to a most excellent dinnt*r, followed by the übuiu toasts* songs, and general hilarity.