Country News.

Southern Cross, Volume 4, Issue 8, 23 May 1896, Page 5

Country News.

HEDGEHOPS. I. Por the first time in this district the spinsters gave a ball. It took place on the 14thi inst., and was, without doubt, a most successful affair. The ladies had only one meeting, and then and there decided it should be, and the whole concern was all over in ten days—that’s the way to do business. Bachelors would have had half-a-dozen meetings over the job. The schoolroom was quite enchanting, being decked out with red-berried holly, ferns, and att muslin. As usual, the room was small for the crowd' assembled, but Miss McLeod as M.O. managed to peiform her duties in a highly satisfactory manner. The utmost harmony prevailed, and dancing to music supplied by Messrs J. Hunt (flute), A. Macdonald (violin), and J. S. Andrews (piano) was kept up till daylight. Messrs J. Burke, J. Hunt, and J. Gorman sang songs, and Mr D. Gorman thanked the ladies for their entertainment, and trusted that bachelors would become less namer, ous after this.

Mr P. Burke had his house burned down the other, evening. Mrs Burke and two children were at home, but all other members of the tamily were absent with the threshing mill. It happened in the middle of the night. The family’s loss will be heavy, as I hear nothing was saved.