IT IS 1886 and a public meeting has moved that a hospital be built in Bega on the Permanent Common and the cost would be 1200 pounds. A committee was formed to plan the building of the hospital and raise funds for it.
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FUNDRAISING events were planned. One of the first was a performance of the Cobargo Minstrels on July 23.
The Bega Standard reviewed it: "The Ethiopian entertainment in aid of the Bega Hospital came off as advertised and it must have been very gratifying to those gentlemen who gave their time and study to getting the affair up to play to such a crowded house. The Temperance Hall, in which the play took place, was crowded from floor to ceiling, and conspicuous among the audience were several Bega gentlemen, and also Mr John Wallace and other from Braidwood. Mr W Saunders, as bones and comic conundrumist fairly carried the house with him. The singing of the other Ethiopians was for amateurs fairly good, but required a little more life to be audible at the end of the hall. The entertainment concluded with the farce entitled Black Justice. The farce was well sustained throughout, and each actor fulfilled his part well. After the performance the room was cleared for dancing, and to the dulcet strains of our local band the light fantastic was kept up to a late hour".
The Cobargo Minstrel show brought 12 pounds 16 shillings to the hospital fund. The Good Templars had given the use of the hall and piano free of cost.
At Numbugga, Mr Hanscombe had received promises of 22 pounds, and had collected 18 pounds, "which speaks well for that scattered neighbourhood in the present hard times".
The hard times referred to was the lack of rain in the district.
Rain did fall in late July and "had done a great amount of good in this district: the bare brown hills of Bega are assuming a verdant tinge and the ploughshares, so long rusty, are now being brightened by use".
"Mr H Skillman has handed in his cheque for two pounds two shillings, and it would materially help the movement if all, who are able to do so, would pay their promised donation to the treasurer, Mr Scott. It is very evident that there is a general desire in all directions to give the movement all possible assistance, by which the voice of the people practically says 'Of all things else, let me have a hospital'.
The ladies of Bega were organising a Grand Plain and Fancy Dress Ball in aid of the Bega Cottage Hospital to be held on August 19.
Double tickets were 15 shillings and single 10 shillings and could be obtained from various people, and businesses in Bega, Candelo, Cobargo and Eden.
Donations of poultry, hams, eggs, were welcomed and could be left at Mr E Brown's Commercial Hotel.
