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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THERE were a few problems at the Grand Plain and Fancy Dress Ball to raise funds for a hospital in Bega.
The food was terrific, the music was great, and the Lyceum Hall was beautifully decorated.
But there were not enough gas lights for the size of the room and clouds of dust engulfed the dancers from the chalk laid on the floor and the small quantities of mud brought in on the boots of careless people and afterwards ground to powder by the dancers.
The Bega Standard reported that "Among the women who wore fancy dress there was a Highland lass, a Spanish lady, a colleen, Grace Darling, a gypsy, queen of the roses, Jeannie Dean and a shepherdess.
"And as for the men - there was Wah-no-tee, Turkish chief, stockmen, eight sailors, jockey, cricketer, captain and lieutenant of the volunteer reserve corps, university graduate and officer guards.
"The gas lit hall was filled with dancing feet from sixty dancing, approximately half in fancy dress and half in plain.
"We may mention the following as very attractive - Mrs Giles in satin and black Spanish lace - the dress of the evening; Mrs Josephs' cream satin and crimson; Mrs Marshall, cream broche and lace; Mrs Macarthur, black satin and old gold/
"Mrs Canning, cream silk; Mrs Vland; black and old gold satin, Mrs Rawlinson, black satin and gold; Mrs L Ritchie (Spanish Lady), crimson satin and black Spanish lace.
"Miss Otton, black net, old gold satin; Miss Rose Otton, white net and satin; Mrs P H Wood, scarlet satin and black Spanish lace; Mrs J Connelly, pale blue satin, pink roses.
"Mrs D Gowing, crimson cashmere and plush; Miss Rogers, cream cashmere and satin; Mrs Curran, cream satin and pearls; Miss Braine, white Indian muslin, profuse trimming.
"Miss J Allan, cream satin and lace; Mrs Postie, violet velvet and cream lace; Mrs Arnold, pink crimson plush and Mrs Cowdroy, handsome shot silk.
"We have been reliably informed that 15 pounds was taken for tickets sold at the door, and the gross proceeds should amount to from 40 pounds to 50 pounds."
The food was so plentiful at the ball that there was quite a lot left over.
The Bega Standard reported that next day there was pilfering by antiquated members of the fair sex and small boys.
"These marauders almost swept the board of what might have been given to some of the many poor people about".