THE BAL MASQUE .sx Shell Mex's Great Hospital Effort .sx What can we say of the Shell Mex Bal Masque , which was held at the Eastham Ferry Ballroom last week on behalf of the Ellesmere Port and District Hospital ?sx Reiteration is never acceptable , yet we cannot adequately express in words to describe this magnificent function and find adjectives to praise the organisers .sx The Shell Mex Social and Athletic Committee are pastmasters in the art , and they cannot possibly have or hope for any better tribute than to have a public clamouring for tickets .sx We have said it in past times that it was wonderful .sx So it was , and we can only say the same again .sx It would be hackneyed to say that it was an unqualified success , yet it was that and more if that were possible .sx It was a wonderful affair , and we must vent our usual grouse and lament that Ellesmere Port's premier social function has to be held at Eastham because we cannot accommodate it here .sx There were about 700 people present , and there would have been more if the accommodation had permitted it .sx The Shell Mex Bal Masque has spread beyond the confines of Ellesmere Port , and even Wirral , for it is now regarded as a county function , for there were patrons present from Chester , and as far as Delamere Forest .sx So has the fame of the Shell Mex Bal Masque spread .sx Most of those present were in costume , and many were in evening dress , and the company was select .sx That is a pleasing function of Shell Mex functions , and long may they reign .sx The Eastham Ferry Ballroom , drab and quite uninviting in its ordinary common or garden dance attire , was a thing transformed to beauty ; it had an enchanted appearance , and an atmosphere of carnival , and everyone was happy .sx The stage was a mass of bloom and splendour ; it was a veritable conservatory whence came the strains of Mr. Tom Evans' orchestral music .sx Thanks to the kindness of Mrs. Park-Yates , of Ince Hall , this transformation was possible , for she loaned the plants and flowers once again .sx The space above the heads of the revellers was a mass of gaily-illuminated Chinese lanterns , kindly lent by Messrs .sx Urdings , of Liverpool , and the brilliant lighting effects were the work of the Ellesmere Port Electrical Company , Ltd. , and behind it all could be seen the craftsmanship and inspiration of Mrs. George Hodder .sx All this was preliminary , and few can have any idea what the preparation of such an event really means .sx Patrons purchase their tickets and step into this atmosphere of enchantment , but organisation has been at work beforehand , and somebody knew something about it and what it meant .sx They were well repaid for their labours by the great response , and the happy knowledge that the cause , always worthy and deserving , had materially benefitted .sx It was a work of love then , and that work had been of a very devoted character .sx The hour of midnight , as usual , has the hour of expectancy , and none were disappointed .sx It is the time for the parade of the characters and the troupes , which always excites the keenest interest and generates boundless enthusiasm .sx I was talking to Mr. John Grace when a disguised figure came up with expressions of goodwill .sx " I know you , " said Mr. Grace .sx " Never mind that , " responded the " intruder , " and I ventured the remark , " Why it's Jimmy Dean ; he can't disguise his voice .sx " " I thought it " , " ventured Mr. Grace , and we both had our doubts , and agreed that the voice was certainly like his .sx We gave up and felt satisfied we had both made a mistake .sx Later in the evening we saw it was Jimmy Dean , and he must have had a good laugh .sx It wasn't exactly Christmastime , but it was carnival time , and all jokes and embarrassments went free .sx So it was throughout the evening .sx The disguises were remarkably clever , and the characters , too numerous to enumerate , revealed the enthusiasm with which the revellers entered into the spirit of the Bal Masque , and most of all showed their deep and grateful interest in the hospital cause .sx Mr. Makey , the president of the committee , was a busy man , and once we observed him making notes on all fours .sx Convention is thrown to the winds on such an auspicious occasion .sx You ran up against a charmingly-attired old English lady , rubbed shoulders with pirates , admirals , famous characters , brigands , Chinamen , pretty girls and ladies in all manner of costumes , original , modern , ancient , artistic .sx You couldn't help but recognise Mr. Jack McGarva , the Mexican with the big cigar , who appeared happy in his temporary release from Council duty , and many others were having a night off , and Mr. Cyril Taylor , who forgot for a few hours everything about boundary extensions .sx There was the inevitable " Mr. Crikey , " and let one have a special word of praise of the doorkeeper and the steward , who had a share in the success of the evening .sx Among those we noticed were :sx - .sx The arrival of the midnight hour was the signal for the roping of the arena , and the characters paraded .sx The judges had a hard task , but they did not flinch , and had the satisfaction of seeing their awards meet with the approbation of the patrons .sx The Cheshire Furnishing Stores , Ltd. , 69 and 71 , Station-road , Ellesmere Port , were again to the fore with their troupe entry , which this year was an EASTERN SLAVE MARKET .sx As one watched the troupe assemble , one could imagine the trouble taken to prepare for it was a most imposing array , and had no difficulty in carrying off the first prize .sx The troupe consisted of Mr. R. Scarisbrick ( auctioneer ) , Mr. W. Mellor ( slave driver ) , Mr. V. Williams ( snake charmer ) , Mr. L. Lloyd ( carpet seller on donkey ) , Messrs .sx S. Trevenon and G. Edwards ( merchants ) , Messrs .sx J. Smith and B. Humphreys ( native servants ) , Miss E. Birchell ( water carrier ) , Misses J. Jones , D. Edwards , Mr. Tranter , P. Jones , and Mrs. Scarisbrick ( slaves) .sx An effective entry " The Yacht , " came from the Mersey Ironworks , and Messrs .sx Bowaters had a good troupe entry showing the career of paper beginning in the roll and showing how it ended up for use as fish and chip receptacle in the hands of a couple of dandies on the way home from the club .sx The paper bags were also good , and they sold papers containing the results of the character judging earlier in the evening .sx The proceeds of their sales went to swell the hospital funds .sx The other prize winners were :sx - Ladies most original :sx 1 .sx Mrs. Higgins ( Royal Air Force ) ; 2 .sx Mrs. Clough ( Eliza Comes to Stay ) ; Ladies Most Artistic :sx 1 .sx Miss Antrobus ( Venetian Lady ) ; 2 .sx Mrs. J. McGarva ( Victorian Lady ) ; Miss Dodd ( Cockatoo ) ; Gent's Most Original :sx 1 .sx Mr. Lees ( Traffic Control) :sx 2 .sx Mesrs .sx Green and Pollard ( Two Black Crows) .sx Gent's Most Artistic :sx 1 .sx Mr. Lines ( Toreador) :sx 2 .sx Mr. R.H. Davies ( Roundhead Trooper) .sx " RODNEY RANDOM .sx " EASTHAM F.C. .sx Hot-pot Supper .sx AN 'ENCLOSED' GROUND .sx Looking to the Future .sx The Eastham Football Club does things well because it has a secretary who believes in doing things well and who will have them done well .sx In that forward policy he is supported by an ardent committee and a jovial and jolly lot of players who made history on Saturday afternoon in forcing the powerful Heswall team to a draw of a goal each .sx That put everybody in good heart for the hot-pot , which was held at the Eastham Ferry Hotel on Saturday night , and it is a tribute to the popularity of the Eastham club that about 70 people sat down to a good meal expeditiously served and equally expeditiously consumed .sx There was one regret and only one ; that was the absence of any official representative of the Wirral Combination , in which Eastham play , and seeing they were invited they need not cavil if they lose a club next season .sx . This official indifference - not only in the Wirral combination , but in other organisations , has proved disastrous in the past , as the old West Cheshire League can testify .sx I need not say it was a jolly company that gathered at the festive board , and what's more it was a well-conducted and well-behaved company , which isn't always the case with hot-pots .sx There is often as much " 'ot-head " as " 'ot-pot , " but not on Saturday , and the Eastham club is in a happy position with a future that promises well .sx Genial chairman J.S. Townsend presided , and among those supporting him at the head table were Messrs .sx Dick Ledsom ( chairman of the Tranmere Rovers F.C. ) , Arthur Roberts and J. White ( Birkenhead League ) , C. Smith ( late chairman Thorndale F.C. ) , E. Turner ( late chairman Eastham F.C. ) , R. J. Alexander ( treasurer of the club ) , J. Cooper ( vice-president Eastham F.C. ) , F. Ellison ( trainer of the club ) , T. M. Cairns ( Ellesmere Port Cement F.C. ) , C. Smith ( captain of the team ) , etc. There were other notabilities present , which testifies to the strength of Eastham F.C.'s social position .sx THE SPEECHES .sx There were the usual " toasts , " and the speech-making , never dry , was well received .sx " Eastham Football Club " was given by Mr. E. Turner , who had a good reception , for was he not the late chairman of the club ?sx Of course , he said it was very gratifying to him to see so large a gathering , and particularly was he glad on looking round , to see such a large number of players rallying round the banner .sx He could remember their first hot-pot , which was a financial failure but a great success as a social event .sx Eastham's progress , said Mr. Turner , would be known for three reasons :sx ( 1 ) its gentle people ; ( 2 ) its pretty village ; and ( 3 ) its football club .sx ( Applause .sx ) Mr. Turner coupled the officials and the committee with the toast .sx Acknowledging the toast , the Chairman said Mr. Turner had referred to the three years' progress of the club , and he must say that of those three years Mr. Turner was chairman for two and a half , and a great deal of the success of the club must be attributed to Mr. Turner .sx In their first year they played friendly matches , and the second and third year they were in the Wirral Combination .sx He would not say they had won a lot of medals , but he would say that he was fortunate in following Mr. Turner , for they had got a very happy crowd together , a happy committee , two teams with two sets of players , and they were indebted to the officials of the club .sx They had an indefatigable secretary in Mr. Shalless , an equally efficient and hard-working treasurer in Mr. Alexander , who had set an example to the committee .sx Their old captain , W. Davies , had to resign owing to ill-health , and he has been succeeded by Mr. C. Smith , who had worked very hard at his job of captain , and he had been lucky in following such a predecessor .sx They must not forget Mr. Brooks , who slogged like the very with the second team , whose work , with the trainer , Mr. Ellison , was of great value and importance to the club .sx They certainly kept the players together and kept them up to the scratch .sx " I would pat on the back to-night the whole of the players , and especially the team that played today , " said the Chairman .sx " Eastham to-day played the finest game I have ever seen the play , and we can say we are one of the two teams who have not conceded full points to Heswall .sx There is only one other team in the Wirral Combination that can say that , and I congratulate our team on their display to-day .sx It is not so often you hear a referee express his opinion after a match , but do-day he said he thought Eastham and Heswall were the two best teams he had seen , and that it was one of the cleanest and fastest games he had seen .sx " ( Applause .sx ) The Chairman said the team spirit was splendid .sx In front of him was a ball which bore the signatures of the players of Everton , Liverpool , Birmingham , and Grimsby clubs , and one or two of Bolton Wanderers' players .sx The ball had not come into their possession as the result of any raffle or draw , but was the gift to the club of Mr. W. Jones , and they treasured it .sx ( Applause .sx )