MATAWAI.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2626, 7 October 1909, Page 3

MATAWAI.

FANCY DRESS BALL

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Despite the heavy rain which fell unceasingly on Friday the disciples of the “light fantastic,” who have so eagerly been lookhig forward for the fancy dress ball at Matawai were not to be disappoint'd. It railed ior several hours in the morning, and still came down persistently in the uflo.ncon until 5 o’clock, and it was feared that the success of the dance would thus lie greatly marred. However, at last the rain ceased, and the night Avas fine, although, perhaps, rather warm for dancing. The roads were very muddy, but still it seemed as though the dancing community were not to he stopped. At 7 p.m. they began to appear in numbers, which gave the committee new heart. Great credit is due to this committee, who worked hard in order to raise funds in aid of sports which are to he held at Matawai shortly after New Year’s Day. The music was supplied bv Messrs J. B. Clarke, F. Korte, H. Korte, P. Clark, and W. It. Clark, whilst Mr. R. J. Brown ably filled the positon of M.C. Dancing commenced at S o’clock. The Grand March was led by Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Clark, followed by Mr, and Mrs. F. H. Buseke and others. The following are particulars, of some of the dresses worn : Mrs. J. B. Clark represented the “Auckland Weekly News” in a beautiful white dress trimmed with ribbon, stamped “Auckland Weekly News,” whilst she had many comic pictures from A.W.N., etc., worked on same; Mrs. Marshall looked very neat as a hospital nurse ; Mrs F. IT. Buseke wore a ver v conspicuous dress reresenting an “Early Victorian”; Mrs. W. R. Clark, as a “Maori Wahine,” was well worthy of great praise; Mrs. Mackenzie locked very well as a “Spanish Dancer” ; Miss Jessie Smith as “Red Riding Hood” looked very quaint; Miss Maudie Neal, who was “A Fairy Queen,” looked exceedingly well; whilst little Miss Elsie Neal caused great laughter as “An Irish Washerwoman”: Miss Amy Neal, as a “Dutch Girl,” did her duty well. Besides the ladies in fancy costumes there were many in evening dress. The only gentlemen in fancy dress were Messrs W. Neal, “Indian” ; R. J.’ Brown, “Indian Chief” ; and J. B. Clark, “King of Hearts.” Many more people would have worn fancy dresses had it not been for the wet weather. Songs and recitations were interspersed, as follows: Mrs. W. R. Clark, song, “Dinah Ducky”; Mr. J. Mackenzie. Dutch recitation; Mr. McCashu, recitation, “Barbara Freitchie.” The supper was supplied by the ladies of the district. Dancing was kept up till an early hour in the morning.