GRAND BALL AT THE TEVIOT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 186, 31 August 1871, Page 6

GRAND BALL AT THE TEVIOT.

(From a Correspondent.)

The unfortunate economy of the Provincial Government having endangered the viry existence of the up-country hospital, a pretty universal feeling has arisen that some special effort should be made to tide over the present year ; after which, it is to be hoped, a Government more liberal vath their subsidies than the present Ministry will hold the keys of the Treasury. The ' retnissuess of the Mount Benger district, in regard to tke support of the hospital, having merited some public comment, a gentleman, who has for some time back taken a distinctive lead in public affairs, resolved to do something to wipe away the charge of indifference. Of course I refer to Mr. Ormond, of Ormond's Hotel, Roxburgh, probably the most enterprising citizen of that little township. Recently he erected, at an expence of several thousand pounds, an hotel which is unrivalled out of Dunedin. This building he opened by the most brilliant ball ever witnessed in the district. Not satisfied with the responsibility, and labour required by the management of so large an establishment, he only the other week mado the requisite arrangements for a constant supply to the residents of the district of cheap, wholesome, and full weighted bread ; and on the 25th inst. he capped all his previous performances by an act of munificent generosity, unparalleled not only in the Mount Bengei* district, but in the whole province of Otago. He placed the magnificent ball-room of bis new hotel at the disposal of a few gentlemen interested in the welfare of the hospital, volunteered to provide lights and music, and above all, to furnish a suitable supper entirely free of charge — the result being that every shilling realised by the sale of tickets goes for the benefit of the valuable institution whose pressing necessity has been sack a theme of regret to every thinking resident within the districts which form the field of its usefulness. So much by way of introduction, permit me now to devote a few lines to the pleasant purpose of describing the festive glories of Friday evening.

At a comparatively early hour the crowds of well-dressed gentlemen, the ■ombre hue of their garments here and there relieved by the gayer colours adopted "by the fair sex, which thronged the streets of ftoxburgh, showed that some event of more than ordinary importance was on the tapis. As the shades of evening began to fall, a general rush took place to Ormond's Hotel, where everything was found ready 'for their reception. The supper had evidently been srob up regardless of expense, an<l every luxury — fowl or flesh, fruit or herb — which the district yielded, was displayed profusely on the tables. Mr. Ormond, or rather Mrs. Ormond, for the ladies manifestly have more concern with the culinary part of the entertaiunent, had evidently spared neither time, cash, nor labour to secure a grand success. The hearty encomiums of all present must have been as highly gratifying as they were richly deserved. It would be unjust to omit mentioning, while talking of the good things, the name of Mrs. Richards, who was Mrs. Ormond's able assistant in the preparation of the spread. All present having done ample justice to the fare, next proceeded to pay court to tke fair, and reel, quadrille, polka, and waltz succeeded each other in brilliant succession, till the appearance of Saturday's sun warned the revellers it was time to desert. In short, everything went off without a hitch, the enjoyment of the evening not being marred by a single unpleasant accident. Mr. Ormond has shown conclusively that he knows how to do a handsome thing handsomely — perhaps some more of our hotelkeepers will profit by his example.