ALEXANDRA.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 151, 1 October 1872, Page 6

ALEXANDRA.

(From our own Correspondent ) September 28. 1872. On Monday evening last, a ball was given in this town for the benefit of the Dunstan Hospital, and proved a very great success ; in fact, there was the largest attendance I have seen in Alexandra at an affair of the sort for a very long time. Great praise is due to the stewards (Messrs Robertson, Mercer, and Cameron,) for the manner in which they carried out their programme. On the following evening, Tuesday, an auction bazaar tion. The gifts were numerous, useful, and ornamental; and were Ito begin to particularise them, I am afraid I should soon encroach upon your space too largely. But I wish particularly to bear testimony to the services of the Committee, which comprised the same gentlemen who acted a3 stewards of the ball. Those gentlemen, together with Mr P. M'Davitt, collected the whole of the gifts at their own expense, and well did they perform the task they took in hand. But it is always a pleasing duty to do anything in the shape of aiding that praiseworthy institution, the Dunstan hospital; and I feel sure that should the services of the same gentlemen be again required in the cause, they would be immediately and willingly rendered. Indeed, it is the bounden duty of everyone to contribute their mite in its aid. At about seven o'clock, the hall began to fill, the ladies mustering strong. Our "knight of the hammer" soon after mounted the platform, and briefly explained the object for which they were assembled, more especially thanking the ladies for their attendance. You could see by the smile on his face that he was pleased both with his audience and his work, and right merrily did he hammer away until he had cleared the tables, —on which he then mounted and announced that he had but three lots left to offer—a £1 note, found in the ball-room the previous evening by Mrs Speed, a half-sovereign, and a sovereign. The note was a great success, and the golden half, and the golden sovereign—as designated by the auctioneer —also added considerably to the total. Fully an hour was occupied in the disposal of these three lots ; but of course it was effected at last, —when Mr Chappie thanked those present on behalf of the Committee aud the Hospital, and expressed a hope that should he ever again mount the platform for a similar object, they would favour him with their countenance. But little did he think how soon that event would take place. When the Committee met, it was discovered that a kilderkin of beer, the gift of Messrs Theyers and Beck, had not been sold ; also, two sets of shoes, the gift of Mr Charnock. They quickly resolved to again bespeak the services of Mr Chappie for Saturday night. I need not say how readily he complied. The news soon spread, and the number and value of the gifts that came pouring in soon established a belief in the probable success of sale No. 2. Eight p.m. on Saturday saw the hall again full, the ladies not forgetting this time also to put in an appearance. Mr Chappie mounted the platform, and explained the circumstances under which he re-enlisted their attention. He then commenced the sale to a crowded room, the occupants of which were quite as eager to buy as the auctioneer was to sell. When the sale was nearly over, Mr Beresford handed the auctioneer a £1 note, which was immediately pinned to the window-blind, and reserved for the last lot. To sell this Mr Chappie got upon the table, and explained that the no:e was the gift of Mr Kummich, who had found it two years ago, and had ever since been on the look-out for its owner, whom he had not been able to find ; consequently, he had thought it best to present the note to the Hospital. A happy thought, indeed ! for the auctioneer hammered away for fully a quarter of an hour before he effected a final sale. Mr Chappie again thanked his audience, and so brought to a finish this exceedingly successful bazaar. The funds of the Hospital will, I believe, be augmented to the tune of about £7O ; a fact which in no slight degree bears testimony to the liberality and money-raising capabilities of our Alexandra residents.