PRIDE OF VALLEY LODGE. I.O.G.T

Dunstan Times, Issue 1212, 22 May 1885, Page 3

PRIDE OF VALLEY LODGE. 1.0.G.T

(from a Correspondent.) I have great pleasure in forwarding you the result of our first concert of the year, which took p'ace on Friday, the Bth inst., on behalf of the local school. On account of the inclemency of the weather we had to postpone the concert from the advertised time, viz., Friday, May Ist, to a week later, and although it is said that a postponed affair never is.a success, this tim« it has certainly erred in its sayings. The concert was a decided success in every way but one, and that was the weather, for a more wretched night could not have been chosen for our concert. It was a dreadful dark and most unpleasant night; in fact, it was a night fit more for people to keep to their own fireside than in splashing through mud and water and darkness a distance to an entertainment. But with all these difficulties staring them in the face our friends rallied round us ou the Bth inst. to make our meeting a success. I can but draw one conclusion from the result and that is that the public both here and at Ophir are always ready to assist us by their presence in carrying out any good work for the advancement and progress of the district. The members of the Pride of Valley Lodge should feel highly gratified to their friends for their assistance and en« engagement in carrying out our work, it is the duly of us all, whether Good Templars or not, to pat our shoulder to the wheel and work hand in hand for the good of the district, and if we do so there is no fear as to the result. I think I can safely say that after the result of our last concert we needjhave no fear as to any future ones that might be given under the auspices of the Good 'Templars of Ida Valley, provided that they are given in aid of something for our own locality. lam glad to notice that our Ophir friends were not backward in coming over the lull to patronise our entertainment ; in fact, the surrounding districts were represented at the concert. I might be pardoned if I take the liberty of throwing out a hint, and that is, seeing how readily the people of Blacks are to come over to our concerts, we ce tainly should return the compliment by going over to the different concerts got up there for some good purpose. 1 cannot help writing about the kindness .displayed by the settlers who reside near the schoolhouse. I am glad to see that we are surronn ed with su.h hospitable people, who are ever ready to throw open their doors for the accommodation of our friends. When we have the pleasure of giving another concert I trust that the schoolhouse will be fenced, so that when the people come they will have a paddock for their horses. The sum taken at the school ou the concert night amounted to something like £l6 ; out of this of course comes the expense-, after which we shall he able to hand over to the school committee something between £9 and £lO. So you see that bad as the weather was it has turne 1 out successful for the school. I cannot help noticing the kindness shown by our worthy schoolmaster and his good lady (Mr and Mrs Bottey) in placing at the disposal of th Lodge their private residence for the accommodation of our lady friends, and consi ering the dirty roads the hou«e must have been sadly upset. This might seem a small matter, but when you come to consider that Mrs Bottey has only just come amongst us as a stranger, that she has shown herself to bo a good neigh hour and the right person in the right place, and I only trust that the day is far distant when she and her husband will have cause to leave us. After the concert was over Mr W; Dundas, who acted as M.C., took the school over for the remainder of the night, and kept our friends dancing with unabated vigor until 7 o’clock in the morning to the excellent music supplied by Mr Rapcr ou his dulcimer, and Mr Sullivan on his accoMion, our friends separating at that early hour, I hope quite satisfied with their night’s amusement. lam afraid that some of the folk must have got a soaking before they got to their homes, as at the time of the break-up it was pouring with rain ; but they must not grumble at it, but take it in good part, as their services were given to a good cause. 1 must not forget to mention that the chair was occupied on the occasion by Mr 1), Nicholson, an old and respected settler of thn district, as well as an old and respected member of the local Lodge, who iua very able address welcomed our friends, and opened the concert. lam n it of a musical turn of mind, so I cannot say anything with regard to the concert, but judging by the manner in which the audience applauded they were satisfied with the part our friends took to help us. At the conclusion Mr harrell proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the ladies and gentlemen who assisted at the concert.