AFTER years of planning the Bega District Hospital was finally opened however not enough funds had been raised by the community to secure the government's pound for pound endowment. A fundraising garden party was held at Daniel Gowing's property. The Bega Standard was there to report on the function.
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PASSING from the marquee, where so much pleasure was to be obtained at such a moderate cost, people old and young could be seen, evidently in the height of enjoyment, strolling through the grounds or engaging in amusements of some kind - lawn tennis, croquet, dancing, chatting, listening to music.
Frequently and often were to be seen the visitors wending their way to the summer house, and they had very good reason to go there, for in command of it were two nice young ladies - Miss Dollie Underhill and Miss Minnie Holland - serving out luscious strawberries and the sweetness of sweet cream to all who favoured them with their patronage.
To these young ladies the greatest credit is due for their industry, as they gave up the whole of their day for the cause, and netted between them the sum of £5 2s 6d in sixpenny plates of delicacies they dispensed.
Mr Row catered for the amusement of the male portion of those present, and ran a shooting gallery and what he termed a doodle-em-buck, and he got together £5 15s 6d. Throwing at the coconuts caused some amusement, it being successfully run by Mr Maples. The honorary secretary Mr Braine was most careful to see all arrangements carried out.
The sports were not a success, but with the other amusements they were not missed. The trips in the steam launch, through some unforeseen circumstances, did not come off, which was a disappointment.
Splendid music was gratuitously rendered by the Concordia Band, consisting of Messrs OR and A Mueller, G Ellis, Brock, Blanchard, R Millar, McDonald, Hardaker, and Zingel; whilst that by the string band - Messrs AJ Wilson, A Mueller and HJ Blanchford (first violins), Short and R Millar (second violins) Brook (clarinetist), Zingel and Hardaker (cornet), McDonald (saxhorn), Ellis (trombone), and OR Mueller (double bass) - was simply excellent.
In the afternoon, the president of the hospital, Mr Stiles, proposed the health of Mr and Mrs Gowing, who had thrown open their grounds to the pleasure of all who attended.
In conclusion, we must say that everyone present seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. The total received will reach about £75, the gate showing £31 10s, and luncheon £16 13s 6d. An annual affair of the sort would materially help the institution.
