BLACKSTONE HILL.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 388, 18 August 1876, Page 3

BLACKSTONE HILL.

(From our own correspondent.)

This portion of the district has not escaped ihe hard weather lately experienced, but now King Frost appears to have released his fingers, and work is again possible. The late fall ot snow will serve the water supply, which, owing to the hard dry weather, would have been scanty —for those dependent upon catch water dams, especially so. .At the last meeting of the : Minerva Lodge, 1.0. G.T., Bro Johnstone, L.D., installed the following as officers for the ensuing quarter Bros. W B Leeder, WOT; John M'Donald, WVT, Chas Mills, WS and WPS; Win Caddiek, WT; Whitehead, WC; Seth Holding, WM; WII Leeder, WIG; and II Davis, WOG —Brother G Price passing to the chair of PWCT. On; Tuesday, the Bth inst, wo had a concert in aid of the school funds—ll W Kobinson, Esq, presiding. It is not often the denizens of this portion of the district have the opportunity of enjoying such a musical' treat—Adam Eolland, Esq, of Blackstone Hill Station, and Messrs. Campbell, Walnutt, and Pyle, of St. Bathans, lending their assistance in the most kind manner. The weather was execrable, preventing the attendance of those from a distance. A very pleasant evening was spent, resulting in a net addition of £7 6s. to the school funds. Mr. Graham the new teacher, has now settled fairly to his work, and from all accounts gives, general satisfaction. The School Committee has the ground fenced in, and are about to plant with trees, apportioned by the Government, so that the bare appearance will soon be relieved.

' Surely now all are agreed in some degree that the gold duty, is a class tax we shall be rid of it. . The Premier appears to think, it a fair tax. " upon those fortunate enough to obtain gold." He might just.as.reasonably levy a tax upon every shilling earned otherwise than goldmining, irrespective of amount of income. How would it suit? Let him try, and he will find himself face to face with lievolution, instead of a nice little ,e -pot."

The entertainment advertised to take place at the school house, Blackstone Hill, came off on the evening of the Bth inst. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather on that nighr, it was at first feared that the visitors troni St. Bathans and other places .would have been unable to attend, but fortunately the weather cleared for a time, and almost all who were expected were able to put in an appearance. Mr. Eob in son occupied the chair. Mr. Holland presided at the harmonium, and was ably assisted by Messrs. Campbell and Pyie (violins), ahd Mr. Walnutt (cornopean). Several concerted pieces were remarkably well rendered, and two violin solos by Mr. Ca,mpbell were very sweetly played. A variety of songs and readings—some humorous and others of a graver character—agreeably diversified the entertainment, and the whole concluded with a dance. The gentlemen before-mentioned obligingly played for the dancers.