MINERS' BALL.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 663, 26 May 1870, Page 2

MINERS' BALL.

This long-looked for event took place on Tuesday, at the Masonic Hall, Westport, and in consequence of the day having been set aside to be observed as a public holiday in honor of Her Majesty, and the very praiseworthy object to which any balance in the hands of the Ball Committee was to be applied, the gathering, so far as the miners were concerned, was a large one. Throughout the day, however, the weather had been raw and inclement, causing many to remain at the terraces who would otherwise have been in town. The same reason may be assigned for the singularly thin attendance of the gentler sex, although we believe some misunderstanding had existed between the Terrace and Town Committees, with respect to the issue of invitations, and in some unaccountable way this very necessary preliminary had been overlooked until too late to repair the mistake. Tho error was one rather of judgment than intention or neglect, the committee, in their

blisdful ignorance of females' necessities, doubtless acting under the impression that 24 hours' notice was ample. Dancing commenced shortly before midnight, but the relative proportions of the sexes being as 10 to 1, the gentlemen were few, and fortunate indeed, who succeeded in pairing off. For the same reason, although numerously attended, the room was not crowded, many, after lingering a few minutes and seeing the hopelessness of taking an active part in the festivities, retiring to other scenes. About 2 a.m. supper was partaken of, and, however conflicting opinion might be as to the success of the ball, so far as the dancing was concerned, there could be no mistake about the supper; everything was admirable, the room well lit and tastefully decorated, the table well appointed, and the viands faultless. Mr Braitbwaite occupied the chair, and Mr Jas. Graham the vice-chair. Before returning to the ball-room several toasts were most enthusiastically received and responded to. The Chairman made a short address setting forth the objects of the Miners' League, and expressed his satisfaction that it should have been inaugurated in so suitable and propitious a manner. He sincerely trusted a new era was about to dawn in connection with the conduct of mining matters, and that the present movement would also give birth to a healthful, political spirit, that they might no longer impute to the miners a charge of supineness and negligence on all matters affecting their interests as a community. Mr Braithwaite then gave the toast of the " Queen," and called upon Mr Dunn for the next toast, "The Miners' League," MiGraham responding. The latter gentleman expressed his pride and satisfaction that a movement so essential to their political interests should have been called into existence, and referred to the returning of Mr Franklyn to the Council as an instance proving the necessity of some organisation to prevent the repetition of another such political juggler being elected. He objected strongly to the treatment dealt out to the inhabitants of the Northern Terraces, when contrasted with the favorable manner in which the proposal to form a road to the Lyell reefs had been received. He considered that the Government were disposed to favor capitalists at the expense of the individual miner. The " Ladies " and the " Press " concluded the toasts, and the company then returned to the ball-room and did not disperse until a very advanced hour of the morning.