MOUNT BENGER

Dunstan Times, Issue 487, 18 August 1871, Page 2

MOUNT BENGER

(FROM OVit CORRI-SPOXDENT.) THE SCOTT'S CENTENARY CELEBRATION AT ROXBURGH. The evening of the 9th of August was very appropriately devoted by the inhabitants of Mount Bender and the adjoinuig districts, to festivity and amusement. A concert and ball for half a crown was an attraction which could bardly fail to attract a crowd, and consequently the schoolroom was tbro.igedb, a huge appreciative audieuce. Procsediugs were opened by a chorus delivered with excelleut effect by the newly fomedGlfe Club. Then followed the inevitable prologue, which was not a wbit better than such performances usually are. Imprecated doggerel a friend of mine styled it. Really this prologue nuisance is assuming such stupendous proportions that the legislature should interfere. Six mouths with hard labor to the author, and tweDty years penal, to the wretch who ventured to bore a large circle of readers by the publication of inich rubli .hj might have a salutory effect. Fortunately the remainder of the entertainment presented greater novelty anc' attr iction. Space will noc permit a critic'sm of e.;ch performance, but it would be an injustice to dismiss it without praising the admirable sinking of Mes.latnes Ai 'Pte.son, and Woodhouse, Messrs. iieid, Andrews, an J. Smith, and the recita ions by Mess.s. Cjiinack and Smith, " Hunting Towers," a duct by Mrs. F Woodh.iuse and Mr. iieid was not only sung, but also acted, the result be ; ng such a peisoua ion of " Jcunuie,' as led to.ah'gb estimate of "Jamie's" goodtasie The comic singing of M . Smith is also worthy of rem u - k, as it desplayed a rare amoiint of humor. All the performers were cordially received by the audience, and on several occasions the honjr of an encore was unanimously g a t.'d. Mr. Button, to whofe energy the success of the entertainment was ch'edy 'Wing, preside I at the b irmonium. occasionally assisted by a vio'iiisi {ang!':ce a fiddler,) whise namj I did not catcli. After the performance, daachig was commenced and carried on vigoiously until an advanced hour next day. Tuis face i learnt from hearsay, as a peison of my years and corpulence rinds between the b'ankeis a much move suitaMe way of parsing his nights, than shaking Lis leg on the ''dure" would be. The pecuniary result of the entertainment must have made the Scltool funds some HI. or 151. richer. While en the subject of entertainments, I may mention that a bad and supper in aid of the Tuipeka Hospital is to be held on the 2oth inst. Mr. Orinond, of the Royal Ho'el with a generosity which can hardly be too h'ghiy praise 1, no; o.tly provide! a r Join and lights, but, also the supper as a contribution to the funds of the hospital. Such liberality is as rare as it is seasonable, considering the financial position of that institution. 1 recently inspectel the nmvly erected residence of Mr. Mackay, Roxburgh, which has been completed as far as the decorative part goes by Mr. Cobeldick, lormerly of the S mth Kensington School of Art, LondonIhe result shows how much can be dono with our native imbers by a thoroughly competent tradesman. I rec mm nd any of your readers wuo contemplate furnishing to pay a visit to Mr. Cob.d .ich, and inspect for theni.e vos his really nirt terly perform, a ice -in pine, birch, totar t, &c. The river has bee!i very, and continues tolerably high. All the claims are knocked off for the season. Spring has apparently set in in earnest and already the poor, hi istarve i cattle are beginning to recruit. How on car hjth y nana e to put through the winter on a diet of dried tussocks, and not too mudi of that is a complete puzzle in natural history.

The Melbourn Age touching on the subject of communism in Paris, expresses an opinion that "t,he transportation of twentythousand insnrgenlatoNew Caledonia may, or may not be a justifiable act from a French point jd» of view, but there can be no doubt that it would be a good thing for Australia!" A San Fra cisco paper sta'es that cats are slaughtered in immense numbers there; and the carcases u.-.eu as manure for vines. Some distinguished savant having discovered that deal grimalkins are peculiarly valuable ' for tbis purpose. the Wellington Post says:—" The road to the Armed Constabularly depot is being remade and metalled by " four rebels of most villainous aspect," who are " assisted by half a dozen gentc el 100 l "ng boyß, who, haying recently joined ihe Constabularly, ftcajiiring the rudiments of their profession wi-h. pick and shovel." •The proposed ra : lway (cm Wellington to Wairavapa and the north will requi c a •.unnel,' which' is estimated to cost from 85,0002 tal30,00«. Tho MbuM Jda ChronkU says:—"We understand that the Rev. E. Royef is tho Roman Catholic clergyman appointed for tbe.Mouftt Ida, DunstinCreA, and Black's distriQU. ■'•'•