DUNSTAN.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 214, 16 December 1873, Page 6

DUNSTAN.

—• [FROM OUR OWtf CORRESPONDENT.] December 15, 1873. Wednesday last was a sort of gala day in our township. The fire opened with the installation of the officers' of the' Masonic body, which no doubt was a grand affair, as all our town craftsmen, and several others from neighbouring places, were dressed up in their lioliday rig; but not being in the secret, I can say little more about* it. Next came the trotting match between Glassford's Dick and Stewart's Stumpy, which was won by Dick as he pleased.. Then a handicap pigeon match followed, Mr Eames being the winner. Several other races and matches-followed, none of which call for particular notice. •In the evening, came the grand Masonic festival and ball'; and all the talk of the ladies has since been about dresses, their ■trimmings, and their costs ; how such a dress would have looked so much better differently trimmed, ancl so forth. Bnt I suppose I must not interfere with the ladies ; of course they have a right to enjoy the luxury of criticism without comment. The whole affair is isaid, however, to have been a great success. Mr V. Pyke, P.G.M., I should have stated, officiated at the installation ceremony. He lias also been bringing under our notice the probability of the early appearance of a new weekly paper, in the shape of the Southern Mercury. Messrs Bastings and Turnbull, members of the Provincial Executive, passed through the 'town at the end of last week on their way Upwards. On Saturday, Messrs Hazlett, Simpson, and Mackay went to Black's to 'select a block of land for settlement. The matter of the election of a surgeon for the Hospital, I will notice when I write again. Meantime, I cannot say 'things are going so Smoothly as might be desirable. The pneumatic dredge has been taken out into the river and tried with the new paddlewheels, which answer well. There is some talk of getting up a company to work it, but r of this more anon. I wonder where our honourable M.H.R. is stoWed away? I almost think we could do with his services here for a little, if he would undertake to draw out a Public Works Committee Indemnity Bill, and see if he could get it to pass our Town Council ; and so do away with these periodical discussions about "the £4 3s. 4d., or whatever it is.