This old newspaper sketch shows Aucklanders at play in the Choral Hall, which looks different now but still stands as part of Auckland University's Symonds Street campus. It's the cream building at centre, above.

In the 1880s, young groovers flocked there to go "rinking" - their word for skating - with a live orchestra on the mezzanine floor to pump up the excitement. Meanwhile, chaperones prowled to ensure no 'mashers' (over-eager young men) took advantage of single ladies.

​There's a rinking scene in Scarlet & Magenta, followed by another more raunchy scene which would have shocked the chaperones. 

The skates Victorians strapped onto their boots probably looked like the one at upper right - a new style invented in Massachusetts in 1863 by a James Plimpton. For some reason, the name is spelled Plympton in this old ad. 

This 'rocking' skate allowed people to turn corners by leaning into the curve. Earlier versions pretty much only allowed skaters to roll in a straight line, leading to frequent accidents and injuries.  

WANT TO HEAR ME? 
I love talking about this book and Victorian times. If you'd like me to visit a group you're part of, click here to drop me an email.

I give fun talks about our ancestors' lives – and their amorous escapades. 

Naughty goings-on were more common than you might think!

PS I love pen-and-ink drawings like the one below from the days before newspapers could print photos. Huge thanks to the people who set up the wonderful newspaper archive at Papers Past, allowing everyone access to these appealing treasures from the past.  

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Here's how the Choral Hall looked in the 1880s - grander then, with columns out front and finicky architectural detailing. Photo from the Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries (4-RIC103).

​QUOTE

"It was quite jolting, Anna discovered, to slip and land on her rear. But in half an hour she was revelling in the laughter, the music and the slight breeze on her face. Bodies flew by, elbows nudging, hands touching. The room was hot and happy.
She heard a high squeal and a shout behind her as someone skidded and then a hand grabbed at her back and she was down in a tangle of skirts and skates. A man’s hat bowled across the floor, and a voice, full of laughter, complained, ‘You pushed me!’ And then, ‘Anna?’
Violet was sprawled alongside her, their skates entangled. Rupert helped them up — a laughing Rupert, repeating, ‘My fault, it was all my fault. Are you hurt?’
‘Not a bit,’ Anna dusted down her skirt. ‘Merely very surprised to see you both here.’
‘Thomas would be wild to hear I’ve knocked you over. Come out of harm’s way.’ He pulled them over to the wall.
‘This is so delicious, don’t you think?’ said Violet. ‘I love it! Imagine what Mr Larkin would say if we launched such an evening in the Temperance Hall.’"