BLACKS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1292, 3 December 1886, Page 3

BLACKS.

(From a Correspondent.) , An entertainment was given in the ' Sohoolhonse Ophir on the 23th ult, in aid 1 of tho widow of the late Mr A. Sutherland, i who met Ins untimely death in a mining claim at Tinkers. The entertainment was an unqualified success, both financially ami otherwise; indeed, one of the most enjoy* ' able ever held here. The programme was varied and rather lengthy, but all the parts I were well sustained throughout the evening. I The success was mainly due to. Mr ] M'lntoah, of the Bank of New South Wales, 1 whose musical talents and gr°at artistic I taste lent .quite a charm to the common • place and usual trite sayings and doings of - a group'of Christy Minstrel Amateurs. ’ There were some really fine voices amon>r I them. The songs selected were first class, and the choruses excellent. The next item was the »• Recruiting Sergeant,” ✓with his awkward squad drilled by Mr M‘ln tosh. The “ get-up ”of the company was ridicu- , ions in the extreme, and their absurdities •- caused great laugther. The second part of the entertainment was opened by an operatic selection from “Martha" Mrs Hyde (oianist), and Messrs Laid law and MTnto«h (violinists). This was splendidly executed, and really the gem of the evening. Several songs were sung, one by Mr O. Naylor, and one by Mr Rae, which received a well met .ted encore ; also a hornpipe dance by Mr Wall. The next was a serio-comic duet by Miss E. Chnpple and Mr M‘ln tosh, entitled *• Family Jars.” The piece in itself is amusing, and the singing and ac mg was spirited and well rendered. It took immensely with the audience, and fairly brought down the bouse. The whole wound np with the laughable farce •* Wanted a Servant,” Mr MTntosh sustaining the role of master and Ryan, of servant exceedingly well. Mr ■ Laidlaw then thanked the performers and audience in a feeling and appropriate manner. Mr- M‘lntosh has taken the place of Mr Boulton; (Agent in the Bank of New South Wales), lately tran-ferred to the West -Coast. It is to be hoped he will remain here for a length of time, as he has already made by his kind and genial manner many friends. . , A gieat many changes have taken place here within the Inst twelve months, the latest being Dr Hyde’s appointment to the Clyde Hospital; but what is our loss is your gain as he is not only a good doctor, but his kind and unremitting attentions have made him him a genial favorite. The country round aonut is looking truly splendid, and the farmers are in great glee ; indeed, they have every occasion to be grateful as they are being highly favored. I have already seen one paddock of wheat (J- White’s) in car, also one paddock of oata (J. Chappie’s). The turnip crop should he good this year. What few cattle are about are all in prime condition, this is borne out by the appearance of the Butchers’ shops the meat iri which as a rnle being prime. The squatters, also, have now a continued smile on their erstwhile lugubrious long faces. I understand the lambing now just over has been a grand one station (Mnutere) giving tha handsomo percentage of 86 while Matakanuiand others further up the Manuherikia Valley being fully up to 80. While speaking of lambing, one farmer on the Lander Hundred from his flock of between 300 and 400 half breds. cut and tailed the respectable increase of 105 per cent.