%META:TOPICINFO{author="PaulKlemick" date="1185790444" format="1.0" version="1.1"}% %META:TOPICPARENT{name="PolishArtilces"}%

-- PaulKlemick - 30 Jul 2007

Bruce Rifles' Ball

The second annual ball under the auspices of the Bruce Rifles eventuated at the Coronation Hall on Friday evening, and was voted by one and all a thoroughly enjoyable gathering, and even more successful than the corps' initial social funtion of last year. About 75 couples took part in the evening's dancing, of which number about 50 couples participated in the Grand March, which was led off by Capt. McClymont and Miss I. Hislop (Dunedin). The scene presented during the evolutions of the mazy lancers or the dreamy waltz was very pretty and effective, the gay dresses of the ladies showing in pleasing contrast to the sombre uniforms of the volunteers. The joint secretaries (Lieut. Stewart and Sergt. Powley), ably aided by a strong committee, had spared no pains to provide for the comfort of their patrons. When we mention that the music was supplied by Mantell's Orchestra, consisting of Messrs J. Mantell (piano), F. Martinelli (violin), and W. Reed (cornet), that is a sufficient guarantee of its excellence, and this, combined with the splendidly-prepared floor, was sufficient to tempt even the most laggard dancer. As showing the appreciation of the "bill-of-fare" provided, there was practically no diminution in the attendance until the strains of the last waltz had been sounded, at about 3.15am. The onerous duties of M.C.'s were efficiently discharged by Color-sergeant. Lockhart, Sergt. Powley, and Lance-corpl. Grealish. The catering arrangements were entrusted to Mrs. Bewley, who provided a first-class supper, a number of volunteers "doing the amiable" in the capacity of waiters. During an interval Capt. McClymont presented the prizes won by members during the past shooting season. In doing so he remarked that a great number of people did not realise the amount of work a shooting season involved upon the corps. During the past season £100 had been expended on prizes, etc., and any sport which caused the expenditure of so much money must be a good thing for the district, and for the young fellows who took part in it. He concluded by saying he would be pleased to enroll anyone who desired to join the corps. The prizes were then presented, the successful competitors being:-

Capt. McClymont, 5s, range prizes. Lieut, Stewart, 3s and rifle sling (presented by Mr. R. Lockhart). Sergt. Farrell, massive silver cup (presented by ex-Volunteers), marble clock (presented by Mr. W. Moore), butter dish (presented by Mr. F. W. Riach), toilette set (presented by Mr. F. A. Leary), rifle sling (presented by Mr. R. Lockhart), and 12s, range prizes. Sergt. Peattie, barometer (presented by Mr. J. Parland), pair boots (presented by Mr. J. Breck); silver-mounted pipe (presented by Mr. D Moyes), 5s (presented by Pte. Thomson), 10s 6d (presented by Corps). Sergt. Newbigging, 5s, range prizes. Corpl. J. Charters, 2s 6d, range prize. Corpl. T. Charters, vernier and ventometer (presented by Corps), silver medal (presented by Mr. A. Brown), and 5s. Pte. Murray, hat (presented by Mr. A. E. Stewart), and 26s. Pte. Straw, 21s and 7s 6d, range prizes. Pte. Littlejohn, pea rifle (presented by Corps) and 2s 6d, range prize. Pte. Blaikie, 6s. Pte. Brown, rifle cover (presented by Corps) and 5s. Pte. Thomson, walking stick (presented by Mr. L. Burn), case of pipes (presented by Corps), and 2s 6d. Two prizes were given by the Corps to ex-Volunteers, and Mr. E. Reid won the first prize of £1 1s and Mr. C. Simpson the second of 10s 6d.

A lady contributor kindly forwards the following description of dresses worn by some of the ladies:-

Mrs. R. Lockhart, cream cashmere evening dress; Mrs. C. Thomson, black silk blouse, black skirt; Miss McKechnie, white silk evening blouse, white muslin skirt; Miss J. McKechnie, white muslin dress, with blue sash; Miss Kreft, cream evening dress, lace trimmings; Miss Farrell, cream silk evening dress; Miss M. Macdonald, cream cashmere evening dress; Miss Paul, cream evening dress; Miss Moloney, cream cashmere skirt, cream satin blouse; Miss McLeod, cream evening dress; Miss McCulloch, crepe-de-chine evening dress; Miss J. Bryce, blue silk evening blouse, blue skirt; Miss Littlejohn, blue evening dress, cream lace trimmings; Miss Doocey, black skirt, white silk evening blouse; Miss J. Doocey, white blouse, black skirt; Miss Hislop (Dunedin), blue silk evening dress; Miss I. Hislop (Dunedin), pale blue silk evening dress; Miss Wells, white muslin evening dress; Miss M. Wells, blue eveing dress, relieved with white; Miss Hayward, cream lustre dress; Misses Kilgariff (2), white muslin dresses; Miss Hutton (Glenledi), white silk evening dress; Miss Blair (Otakia), white silk evening dress, relived with blue sash; Miss Hewitson (Lovells Flat), cream lustre evening dress; Miss S. Hewitson, cream evening dress; Miss Thomson, blue evening dress, chiffon trimmings; Miss Hanley, cream winsey evening dress; Miss E. Maley, cream lustre dress; Miss Glenn, cream silk eveing dress; Miss McNeil, black evening dress, relieved with red; Miss Athy, sea green evening dress, white chiffon trimmings; Miss Garven, sea green evening dress, black lace trimmings; Miss Kennedy, cream silk blouse, black skirt; Miss Dysart, white evening dress; Miss K. Dysart, black skirt, string-colored blouse; Miss Clark, white silk blouse, green skirt; Miss E. Macdonald, black skirt, blue figured blouse; Miss G. Waters, blue skirt, yellow silk blouse; Miss Lockhart, white muslin blouse, cream skirt; Miss M. Simpson, pink evening dress, relieved with black; Miss McMurtrie, white muslin dress; Miss Hand, string-colored blouse, black sirt; Miss Lane, pink figured muslin evening dress; Miss Hagen, black dress; Miss Reed, pink silk evening dress, lace trimmings; Miss L. Reed, white muslin dress; Miss Mahoney, cream evening dress; Miss Grealish, cream silk evening dress, relieved with yellow; Miss Cannon, cream lustre dress; Miss Howie, white silk blouse, black skirt; Miss McLean, cream silk blouse, blue skirt; Miss E. Scott, cream evening dress. "The Bruce Herald", 4 July 1905.