CADET RINKING CARNIVAL.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 188, 28 August 1888, Page 2

CADET RINKING CARNIVAL.

THE NEW HALL. The new Rink opened on Saturday morning and evening, under circumstances which ought certainly to bode well for the future success of the hall—circumstances, too, which must have been gratifying to those who worked hard in the interests of a worthy object. In the morning the floor, which had been highly spoken of at the dance on the previous evening, was too slippery for the “counterfeit skaters,” as some grumpy old granny has termed those who gyrate on a wooden floor instead of gliding on the genuine congealed article—of course never taking into consideration that such a luxury is altogether beyond Gisborne people. Later on, however, the floor was got into capital condition, and in the evening the general verdict was that it was magnificent. There was a good attendance both morning and afternoon, and before the time had arrived for opening in the evening, there was a large number ot people anxiously waiting for admittance, By eight o'clock the gallery was comfortably filled ; ten minutes later it was very uncomfortably so; five minutes later it was—well, to avoid telling an untruth, it wasn’t suffocating. Had the management expected so great a success, they would no doubt have had the gallery reserved for ladies, but as it was the spacious hall afforded ample accommodation for a much larger number, only there seemed such a desire to get into the gallery. The rinkers soon made themselves merry, and the fascination seemed to have a contagious effect on onlookers and rinkers alike. The music of the Garrison Band of course added much to the charm, and the Band’s services were appreciated. The varied costumes (pr«K and ridiculous) and the different exhibitions of skating (graceful and ludicrous) were well worth seeing, the sight being one that would be long remembered. The beautiful and the comic were well represented, though it was known that but for an innate bashfulness many more would have been Been gaily disporting themselves on the floor—beg pardon, on the skates. Among the ladies the honor of being “ belle of the rink ” weighed very evenly between a tinker noted for her gracefulness and Miss F. Porter (Queen of the Gipsies). But all the ladies looked well, not excluding those in evening dress. Miss Beeves, of Tologa Bay, had many admirers. Among the ladies who appeared in fancy costumes were—

Miss Andrews, Tennis player Miss Bullen, Peasant Miss Dunlop, Vivandiore Miss Grey, Kate Greenaway Miss Harris, Peasant Miss Emma King, Italian peasant Miss H. Kennedy, Gipsy Miss M. Kennedy “ Coming thro' the rye ’ Mies L. Langford, Bohemian girl Miss A. Langford, Italian fortune-teller Miss F. Porter, Gipsy queen Miss B. Porter, Madcap Violet Mies Reeves, Flower girl Miss Tucker, Oriental dancing girl Miss Townley, Highland lassie Miss Von Der Hyde, Caller Herrin Miss M. Warren, Regimental pet Mrs D. Dunlop, Milkmaid Mrs Matthews, Shepherdess Mrs Moore, Daughter of Regiment Captain Wugg, as Claude Duval, completely took the shine out of all those of his own sex Mr Simeon assumed the person of Garabaldi, who by the way was not (as stated) a brigand; Mr A, L. Muir represented the Herald; Mr G. Johnstone made a good-tempered Turk; Mr South took, with good effect, the character of “Gobo," from Les Cloches da Corneville; Mr E. Matthews looked well as an English gentleman of olden times. The principals in the funny business were Mr Skipworth and Masters DeCosta and Stubbs. Some very humorous incidents were recorded during the evening. A young lady want into the gentleman’s skate-room, and a blushing young man handed her a pair of skates. An attendant requested her to go into the ladies' room, but on her declining to do so another gentlemanly attendant assisted her with the skates and gallantly led her into the centre of the rink, looking quite proud of his charge. But an accidental fall on purpose let the murder out —first that attendant nearly took a fainting fit, then he nearly used the naughty expression of the captain of the Pinafore. No more “ damsels ” for that budding gallant. The “ lady ” came in for much criticism from those in the gallery, but the pointed remarks fell quite harmless. Our own representative was had once. A respectable-looking working man sailed up to him and asked if he were not the representative of the Staxdsbd. A reply was given in the affirmative. “ Can you do us a favor?” " Certainly—will be happy to do so, provided it is reasonable and just." “ Yes, well please take my arm.” Our representative responded, though he could see nothing but impertinence in the request, until a curious feeling dawned on him. It was a re-Porter 1 But our representative had the after satisfaction of knowing that the in, dividual was shunned by the ladies, who took him for a stranger. During the evening the Mayor made a few remarks appropriate to the occasion, commenting on Mr Townley’s kindness in giving the Cadets the free use of the hall, and hearty cheers were accorded to Mr and Mrs Townley, The floor won the good opinions of all who skated on it, and the acoustic properties of the hall have been proved to be a valuable addition to its usefulness. “THE CITY RINK." Last night a party of a very sociable nature I was held in the new rinking hall, which has been named the City Rink. There ware fully 310 ladies and gentlemen present, including those who had been engaged in the erection of the building. Between rinking and dancing the time was passed very pleasantly, the music being supplied by Messrs Harvy, Faram, Spurdie, Grossman. and Ross. A first-class spread was laid out, and those present regaled themselves heartily, speechifying being strictly prohibited. The guests all expressed themselves highly delighted with their entertainment, and if Mr and Mrs Townley’s health was not quaffed in flowing bumpers, backed up with prosy talk, it was wished in a more effective way. The dancing and rinking was kept up merrily at different intervals, great satisfaction being evinced with regard to the floor and everything connected with the hall.