South Beach Hotel.
Troon.
In celebration of the opening of the fine hotel, the directors and friends of the undertaking sat down to dinner in the billiard-room of the establishment on 5th May 1893. Mr T D Reynolds, chairman of the company, presided, and Dr. Highet and Mr A B Cowan discharged the duties of croupiers. The table was elegantly decorated with plants and pretty flower glasses, each of which contained a floral gem, while dishes of choice fruits enriched the centre positions. All the furnishings were very chaste. The character of the dinner will be gathered from the following menu, which was printed on a beautiful card:-
Anchois, Tomatoes en salade.
Tortue Claire, Printanier. Saumon Bouilli aux Fines Herbes. Filets de sole a' I'Orly.
Concombre a' I'Huile.
Poulet a' la Creme. Cotelettes de Vean Pane'es aux Champiguons.
Quarter d' Agnean. Sirloin de Boef. Peits Pois.
Sauce de Mint. Horse Radish. Canards.
Navetelette a' L' Allemande. Fraise, Lemon, Vanille aux Cre'mes.
Aspie. Marasquin. Vin Gele'es.
Souffle'es. Compote de Fruits. Conserves a' L' Ananas.
Roti Fromage Anglaise. Fruit de Saison.
Wines. Cafe Noir. Liqueurs.
The dinner was served by smart competent waiters, under the direction of the manageress, Mrs Cameron, and the viands were of the most delicate kind, giving evidence of skilful and careful cooking, and doing the utmost credit to the cuisine of the establishment. The wines, too, were generous and superb.
The loyal and patriotic toasts having been responded to, the chairman called on Major Highet to propose the toast of the evening.
Major Highet said he had been unexpectedly called on to propose the toast -" Success to the Troon South Beach Hotel Company Limited," but he had very great pleasure indeed in discharging what in his opinion was one of the highest functions that could possibly be performed for the coming burgh of Troon. (Hear Hear.) There was no doubt that that night was a red-letter one in the history of Troon. (Hear Hear,) He thought it was good for golfers to come down there and have their outing upon the links, do their round, and then come in and have their drink-(Hear, hear and laughter) in the club, and smoke the pipe of peace and all that sort of thing afterwards. (Hear hear) But was it not far better that they as golfers should be in possession of that splendid hotel, where not only could they have enjoyment for themselves, but for their wives and sweethearts also. He thought that the hotel would have been nothing had it not been for that important factor. He was sure every member of the Troon Golf Club would see it to be his duty, if he was a married man, to cater to the situation.
Sir William McOnie, Provost Ferguson, and others having spoken, Mr Cowan proposed the toast of "The Manageress Mrs Cameron" in doing which he said they had been most fortunate in securing the services of such an excellent and amiable lady to look after their interests. She was most attentive and painstaking, and he could assure them that any one coming to the hotel would find all the comforts of their own home. If any one went away from it dissatisfied, he (Mr Cowan) would, if he came before him at the J. P. Court, give him thirty days. (Great Laughter.)
Mr Cameron, replying on behalf of his wife, thanked the company for the way in which they had received the toast. He had great difficulty in allowing his wife to accept the management of the hotel, but eloquent pleadings prevailed. (Laughter) He was glad to say that everything had been a decided success, and when they had such an excellent board of directors her responsibilities were far less than they otherwise might have been.
During the evening a selected party of ladies and gentlemen met in the drawing-room, and Mr A B Cowan, in name of the subscribers, presented Mrs Cameron with a beautiful pearl brooch and hair ornament. Mr Cowan, in a neat speech, referred in flattering terms to Mrs Cameron's tact and ability, and expressed the hope that they would long be able to retain her services.
End.
