IDA VALLEY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1220, 17 July 1885, Page 2

IDA VALLEY.

(From a Correspondent). On the 4th July we had a visit from the great temperance reformer Mr Burnett, who in his usual style gave us a very eloquent and humorous address on the tern perance cause. He took for his subjects two characters, viz., “ Yankee Bill ” and “ Dublin Sal,” and L must say that he kept bis audience highly amused throughout. He was invited to come off the beaten track by the members of the Pride of Valley Lodge. The chair was taken by the W.O.T. of the local Lodge, who in a few introductory remarks introduced the lecturer. At the close of the meeting some 15 persons donned the blue. On the following morning (Sunday) Mr Burnett held divine service at the Sohoolhouse, and got a few more to wear the bit of blue. People may not agree with him in all he said, but still it cannot be doubted that he does a great deal of good. 1 trust that his visit here will bo the means of doing some good. I notice that the School Committee here are making great improvements. A long felt want ia about to be accomplished by the erection of the fence around the school building, and when finished will be a great boon to aIL It seems now a certain fact that school matters here will in future progress in a satisfactory manner, thanks to a good committee. It is a pity that something could not be done with regard to tho creeks, as when they are in flood it takes an adult all h : a time to cross them, and what must it be for the youngsters. If the creeks could have a plank across them it would certainly bo »u improvement, and I think should not take a big sum of money to effect the purpose. The young men of the Valley have started s quadrille assembly, and on Friday night last root for the first time; but owing to the wretched weather only a few attended. It is to be hoped that on other nights, if fine, the assembly will be better attended, as it is the only amusement that can be got hereabouts. The dancing is to be held on Friday nights,

I see that the suggestion thrown out some little while ago re hospital benefit is taken up, and at a meeting of Good Tern-

plars held on Saturday'last at Blacks, it was decided to hold a general combined complimentary benefit by the whole body of Good Templars in the district. The night appointed for the benefit is August 21st. It was at first proposed to hold it on the 25th July, but the Tinkers folk having fixed upon that date for an entertainment for the same worthy object, our’s was therefore postponed to the 24th August. It is to be Loped that the public will roll np on both these occasions and help both the Good Templars of Ida Valley and committee at Tinkers in raising such a sum as will be a credit to this side of the Dunstan District, and augment the funds of so worthy and de« serving an institution as the Dunstan District Hospital.