Can you imagine a local newspaper these days bothering to report an event such as the Queen's Birthday celebrations at a tiny place like Logan? Can you imagine any modern reporter writing in the florid, purple style of the accompanying account? It is so over the top that I thought it worth sending to the List for your edification! Quite a few names might be recognised by listers. Trevor THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY AT LOGAN [From our own Correspondent] On former occasions the inhabitants of this remote but flourishing district were accustomed to hold a general picnic for the amusement of the young folks, but this year the gentlemen who took a part in the original picnic style of pleasure-seeking were so engrossed in the affairs of their new Mechanics Institute and Free Library Hall that they had to abandon the idea, so for a time the little ones were about to be neglected; but the good ladies of the district, with a kindly and motherly feeling, no doubt, took the matter of the children's annual picnic in hand, and provided an abundant supply of the good things so wistfully looked for and enjoyed by those of tender years. There was no want of games, races, jumping matches, &c. The most attractive game of the day was the "Tailing the donkey". This little game is very simple and innocent, yet really ludicrous, which made it all the more sportive for the lively youngsters. Those who have not seen the "Tailing of the donkey" should visit Logan on the 24th May 1889, when, I am informed, it will be re-introduced in a new and improved style. The day's amusements having passed off splendidly, we now arrive at the evening to witness a grand vocal and instrumental concert in aid of the building fund of the Free Library Hall. The talent and skill not only of the performers, but also of the committee and the energetic secretary (Mr Henry Lyons) are deserving of more than a passing comment on this occasion. Mr Joseph Quinn acted as chairman at the concert, and in that capacity announced the overture by Messrs Gilbert King and Robert Marshall, which was very well received. The opening song, "Genevieve," by Messrs C.J. Marshall and Sons, was faultless, unless there were present some who cannot recognise worth in any performance unless the performance carry with them some London or foreign name. "The Yankee boy" was rendered in good form by Mr A. Burke. Miss Wallis sang "The flower girl's song" in such a fascinating style that it has been pronounced a brilliant success. Mr C.J. Marshall's rendition of "Let me like a soldier fall" was really good. "Advance," in costume, by Mr A. Ross and Mrs Quintrel, was well worth witnessing, particularly the neat and graceful style of Mrs Quintrel's dancing, and it was wonderful the length of time this was kept up, it not being an easy task to perform. The most complimentary remarks were made on the performance. In this dance, Mr Ross has beyond doubt met with a perfect test. Of Mr Robert Marshall and the whole Marshall family a mere mention of their names as being present should suffice to convey that the songs sung by them were well rendered. Mr Gilbert King's Irish comic song caused much amusement, and proved Mr King's fitness for such characters. A duet, "The violet brave," by Mr and Mrs L. Male was well received by the audience. Miss Price's (Bealiba) sparkling rendition of "Barney take me home again" pleased everybody judging from the manner she was greeted with applause. Mr H.C. Logan's recitation was remarkably well delivered, and cordially applauded. "Clara Brown", by Mr W. Marshall, as before noted. Miss Collins sang very sweetly but seemed somewhat timid; this may only be a fancy of my own. As the programme was a somewhat lengthy one, it is not requisite to name the many and various songs contained in the second part, further than that special notice must be given to the ladies - Miss Wallis's rendition of "Tit for tat," Misses Price and Collin's duet, "Larboard watch," their singing being quite above all criticism. During the evening they were greeted with rounds of warm applause. Mr R. Quintrel's personation of the English teamster caused some merriment, and he was called before the curtain for a repetition of the latter part of his comic song. The members of the committee are to be congratulated for the in which this lengthy programme was carried out without a fault. This entertainment being the first of what are intended to be annual events held in the new hall, which was crowded almost to excess, will, no doubt, prove a decided success financially. The various districts around were well represented, viz. St Arnaud, Kara, Kara, Bealiba, Burke's Flat, Wehla, Berrima, W.sid..,., and even Dunolly had two representatives there. The ball which followed was a decided success. Messrs Gilbert King and R. Marshall supplied the music in grand style, and Mr Thomas Kellett, in a most efficient manner, acted as M.C. The order and decorum noticeable throughout the entertainment and ball was in every respect highly creditable to the inhabitants of Logan and all those who were there. I am pleased to have to record these facts. It is simply wonderful how the ball is kept rolling at Logan, notwithstanding it is but recently I was present to report a similar entertainment at the opening of the new building for a Mechanics Institute and Free Library, and the wonderment was on both occasions where all the people came from." -"Dunolly and Betbetshire Express" June 1, 1888.

Don't know about anyone else but I found the style and words far far better than "60 killed by suicide bomber in London Underground" etc. with the appropriate pictures in full colour of decapitated maimed and bloodied children and people. And what lovely use of the English Language! Again far better than a string of American acronyms Hollywood abbreviations and a load of modern garbage er - idioms that no one knows anything about other than the writer! Call me old fashion but I'd be happy to read this in preference to what currently passes as Newspaper Reporting any day!! Cheers Ron Phillips Melb Vic ----- Original Message ----- From: "trevor" <tjwilliams@iinet.net.au> To: <AUS-VIC-GOLDFIELDS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, October 17, 2005 9:52 PM Subject: Queen's Birthday at Logan > Can you imagine a local newspaper these days bothering to report an event > such as the Queen's Birthday celebrations at a tiny place like Logan? > Can > you imagine any modern reporter writing in the florid, purple style of > the > accompanying account? > > It is so over the top that I thought it worth sending to the List for your > edification! Quite a few names might be recognised by listers. > > Trevor > > > > THE > QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY AT LOGAN > > [From > our own Correspondent] > On former occasions the inhabitants of this remote but flourishing > district > were accustomed to hold a general picnic for the amusement of the young > folks, but this year the gentlemen who took a part in the original picnic > style of pleasure-seeking were so engrossed in the affairs of their new > Mechanics Institute and Free Library Hall that they had to abandon the > idea, > so for a time the little ones were about to be neglected; but the good > ladies of the district, with a kindly and motherly feeling, no doubt, took > the matter of the children's annual picnic in hand, and provided an > abundant > supply of the good things so wistfully looked for and enjoyed by those of > tender years. There was no want of games, races, jumping matches, &c. > The > most attractive game of the day was the "Tailing the donkey". This little > game is very simple and innocent, yet really ludicrous, which made it all > the more sportive for the lively youngsters. Those who have not seen the > "Tailing of the donkey" should visit Logan on the 24th May 1889, when, I > am > informed, it will be re-introduced in a new and improved style. The day's > amusements having passed off splendidly, we now arrive at the evening to > witness a grand vocal and instrumental concert in aid of the building fund > of the Free Library Hall. The talent and skill not only of the > performers, > but also of the committee and the energetic secretary (Mr Henry Lyons) are > deserving of more than a passing comment on this occasion. Mr Joseph > Quinn > acted as chairman at the concert, and in that capacity announced the > overture by Messrs Gilbert King and Robert Marshall, which was very well > received. The opening song, "Genevieve," by Messrs C.J. Marshall and > Sons, > was faultless, unless there were present some who cannot recognise worth > in > any performance unless the performance carry with them some London or > foreign name. "The Yankee boy" was rendered in good form by Mr A. Burke. > Miss Wallis sang "The flower girl's song" in such a fascinating style that > it has been pronounced a brilliant success. Mr C.J. Marshall's rendition > of > "Let me like a soldier fall" was really good. "Advance," in costume, by > Mr > A. Ross and Mrs Quintrel, was well worth witnessing, particularly the neat > and graceful style of Mrs Quintrel's dancing, and it was wonderful the > length of time this was kept up, it not being an easy task to perform. > The > most complimentary remarks were made on the performance. In this dance, > Mr > Ross has beyond doubt met with a perfect test. Of Mr Robert Marshall and > the whole Marshall family a mere mention of their names as being present > should suffice to convey that the songs sung by them were well rendered. > Mr > Gilbert King's Irish comic song caused much amusement, and proved Mr > King's > fitness for such characters. A duet, "The violet brave," by Mr and Mrs L. > Male was well received by the audience. Miss Price's (Bealiba) sparkling > rendition of "Barney take me home again" pleased everybody judging from > the > manner she was greeted with applause. Mr H.C. Logan's recitation was > remarkably well delivered, and cordially applauded. "Clara Brown", by Mr > W. > Marshall, as before noted. Miss Collins sang very sweetly but seemed > somewhat timid; this may only be a fancy of my own. As the programme was > a > somewhat lengthy one, it is not requisite to name the many and various > songs > contained in the second part, further than that special notice must be > given > to the ladies - Miss Wallis's rendition of "Tit for tat," Misses Price and > Collin's duet, "Larboard watch," their singing being quite above all > criticism. During the evening they were greeted with rounds of warm > applause. Mr R. Quintrel's personation of the English teamster caused > some > merriment, and he was called before the curtain for a repetition of the > latter part of his comic song. The members of the committee are to be > congratulated for the in which this lengthy programme was carried out > without a fault. This entertainment being the first of what are intended > to > be annual events held in the new hall, which was crowded almost to excess, > will, no doubt, prove a decided success financially. The various > districts > around were well represented, viz. St Arnaud, Kara, Kara, Bealiba, Burke's > Flat, Wehla, Berrima, W.sid..,., and even Dunolly had two representatives > there. The ball which followed was a decided success. Messrs Gilbert > King > and R. Marshall supplied the music in grand style, and Mr Thomas Kellett, > in > a most efficient manner, acted as M.C. The order and decorum noticeable > throughout the entertainment and ball was in every respect highly > creditable > to the inhabitants of Logan and all those who were there. I am pleased to > have to record these facts. It is simply wonderful how the ball is kept > rolling at Logan, notwithstanding it is but recently I was present to > report > a similar entertainment at the opening of the new building for a Mechanics > Institute and Free Library, and the wonderment was on both occasions where > all the people came from." > > -"Dunolly and Betbetshire Express" > June > 1, 1888. > > > > > > > ==== AUS-VIC-GOLDFIELDS Mailing List ==== > Searchable archives at > http://listsearches.rootsweb.com/?list=AUS-VIC-GOLDFIELDS-L >