ROXBURGH.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 179, 13 July 1871, Page 6

ROXBURGH.

(From a C'orrespoivlent. ) July 4tb. The opening of Mr. Ormond's new hotel has been looked forward to with pleasure by the inhabitants of the Teviot and surrounding district ; and if a bumper house shows good feeling towards a proprietor, he had it on this occasion. The ball room, an elegant and spacious room, 40ft. by 26ft., was tastefully decorated. Your humble servant entered at 9.30, just in time to see the opening. The numbers dancing and those seated round the room at 11 o'clock amounted to about 150. The building has by many been considered rather extensive tor our township; still, I must say that I fail to see it. When the resources of the country in and around the Teviot are properly developed, we shall want still larger buildings. At 12 o'clock we sat down to supper, and I must say, without particularising, that the table laid out in the supper room reflected the highest Credit on Mr. and Mrs. Ormond, and also on Mrs. M'Kay, who had the general superintendence of the same. Although this room is in keeping with the other rooms in the establishment, there were not seats for half the number at the supper table, which, of course, interfered with the Chairman's arrangements seeing there was a second table. As there were loud calls for the Chairman's speech, toasts, songs, &c., it was evident that all were anxious to return to the ball-room. The following address was delivered by the Chairman (Mr. Sutherland) : — Ladies and gentlemen — I must ask your kind indulgence as regards the position I occupy this evening, knowing there are many gentlemen present here better adapted to fill this position than I am, but this I may say, your humble servant will do the best he can, and no more can any man do. It is the part of a Chairman's duty to keep order ; this with me will be a light duty, as we have all come here to wish the worthy landlord and his good lady success, prosperity, and happiness, and further, to wish them God speed. He has given one arid all a free invitation. In the short time I have known Mr. Ormond, .1 have learnt to respect him, and when I say so, I do it without any flattery. He is a speculative man. We are now seated in an -hotel second to none in the outlying districts of the province of Otago. ~An honour to the township of the Teviot, and honour to the - pro? prietor, architect, builders, and last-,

though not least, the painter j but let me not forget the carpenters. As we enter the door of the hotel the work' will speak for itself, and it is on a par throughout the building. In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, as there are several speakers to come after me, allow me to add that I trust the proprietor of this building and his kind lady may be long spared to enjoy the fruits of their labour ; and when they leave this world of trouble, they can well say this building is an heirloom to the family. The usual loyal toasts being drunk, the Chairman gave the toast of the evening, " Success and prosperity to Ormond s Hotel," which was received with loud and prolonged applause. The company broke up at 5.30 a.m., after enjoying an evening that will be long remembered at the Teviot. I may add that the music was excellent, and the arrangements connected with the ball room reflect great credit on Mr. M'Douall. The ladies looked one and all charming, being in full ball costume.