BLACKSTONE HILL.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 336, 13 August 1875, Page 3

BLACKSTONE HILL.

(From a correspondent.) August sth

Some time has elapsed since last I wroleyou conct-rning saying and doings in this neighborhood, but your "own correspondent;" lias in the iufcerimkept yoii well posted in current events. iNTow 1 shall again continue the course of our history by.detailing what happened at a public meeting held here oh Monday night, the 2nd inst. It having become generally known that the Eev. Mr. Wi'liams (Churchof England clergy/nan) was about to leave the district t<> unde take the cure of souls in a far away Province of New Zealand, a meeting of the inhabitants was called to take into consideration what steps should be adopted to mark their appreciation of the rev. geutleman's services while miuistering to the spiritual wants of the people hereabouts. A goodly number of persons met in the school house, and on the voices Mr. W. "Wade,"was installed as Chairman. In. a pithy ■ and "practical speech he pointed out the b.usiuess they had met to discuss, and showed thatthe recognition of Mr. "Williams' labor in a tangible and utilitarian manner would be but a just' tribute to his worth as a pastor and gentlemanly qualities as a private individual. After a little discussion as to the best way to carry out t e project intended, Mr. Samuel Inder proposed, and Mr. James Duff seconded the following resolution, which was carried by : acclamation—" That the Blackstone Hill- parishioners of the "Kev. Mr. Williams, feeling deeply sensible of the important services rendered to them by.;that gentleman during the period of his ministrations in their midst, now that he is about to leave for a distant Proviuce, desire to testify their regard and esteem for him in a substantial manner; and that, in furtherance of this object, they will be happy to co-operate with Naseby, St. Batbnns, and otber places where his labors, spiritaaland temporal, both as minister and genUeman, have won him the good wishes' of every class of the community." Further conversation elicited that an address and purse of sovereigns would be the most symprthetical and practical embodiment of the spirit of the motion, and to give effect thereto as speedily as possible, a Com in!lfee was at once formed, and a subscription iist opened on the spot. Naseby, St. Bathans, and Welshman's havo been written to,- and we feel certain that their hearty assistance will be cheerfully forthcoming; It would be premature to say more just now in connection herewith.

So 1 shall now, turn me to the chronicling of the entertainment given in the schoolroom un Tuesday evening, 3rd inst. 11 bad been publicly notified thafc.tbe "Warden (H. W. Eobinson, Esq.) would lectureinaid oftheschool funds, aud as his ability in this respect is widely known in the district, I need not say that the' audience assembled was a large and an attentive one. " Schools and Scholars " was the subject chosen. Humorous, didactic, and cleverly rendered, lie carried his hearers with him from-beginning to endtheir rapt attention being only broken iu upon from time to time by spontaneous bursts of applause and sidesplitting laughter as the lecturer skilfully delineated the various phases of school-boy life. The youngsters were especially delighted, and the night of Mr. . ."Uobinson's lecture will, as Pat would say. "long beared letter day" iu their memories. At its conclusion a vote of thanks was vocifer-, ously accorded to that gentlemen for his witty aiidesce'llenb lecture. After a short interim, the cdneert commenced, Messrs. Inder,'Ca'ddick, Leader, Armitage, Wade, and Johnston singing well and eiliciently several popular and fashionable songs, arid some young ladies also per ; ecLiug the entertainment by the aid of their sweet voices in song and recitation. The votaries of " the light fantastic too" now took possession of the floor, and waltz, quadrille, polka, jig, &c, &c, were riimbly and gracefully glided through, till the "wee, short hour ayont the twal," when the company dispersed, having wiled away with song and laugh and dance a most enjoyable evening.