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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A GRAND Plain and Fancy Dress Ball is planned to raise funds for hospital and a report in the Bega Standard said "Some of the local ladies have been working assiduously and have been successful in securing contributions of various necessities in all directions.
"There is a flutter among the fair sex as to what they shall wear etc and there is talk of a considerable representation from the surrounding district and from up the mountains. The ball is to be artistically decorated and good music provided while every provision will be made for the comfort and enjoyment of those attending. We believe that a number intend to appear in fancy dress.
"As the Oddfellows appear to have be under the impression that that the movement has emanated from the hospital committee, and will interfere with their ball on September 1, we are requested to state that the former is not the case, and the matter has almost entirely been initiated by the fair sex."
The Bega Standard reviewed the ball. "The promoters of the grand hospital ball which was held in the Lyceum Hall on Thursday night last have every reason to be satisfied with their efforts. Praise to a number of local ladies for their untiring exertions under some disheartening circumstances brought about by those whose mission in life seems to be to throw cold water on anything and everything with which they are not prominently connected.
"However there were one or two who went through the unpleasant ordeal of begging contributions, principally in the way of table necessaries, and there were others who lent a helping hand in preparing all these things and supplying others, so that the supper table was equipped with almost every delicacy likely to temp the appetite of the most fastidious, from the substantial ham to the toothsome oyster patty, beside a host of delicious and enticing compounds ending in mounds of splendid trifle or fading into crystal dishes of transparent fragile jellies and quivering blanc-manges.
"There was also a plentiful supply of liquids, including very good coffee, and last, but certainly not least, a goodly quantity of oyster soup, sufficient in quality to tickle the palate of the greatest connoisseur.
"Messrs AL Manning and Curtis decorated the hall, and this was executed with taste and skill with a number of beautiful tree ferns brought in from secluded gullies to grace the corners and prominent positions about the hall and stage. The music was principally supplied by Messrs Burry (piano), Loughan, (cornet); Chapman (violin) plus guests, and Mr A J Wilson (violin)."
