SWITZERS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 588, 25 July 1873, Page 1 (Supplement)

SWITZERS.

AS ELECTIONEERING EXPERIENCE. “ Going to Switzers ! ” exclaimed a friend, with lengthened visage and horrified tone, “ for heaven’s sake bo cautious; it’s the roughest place on the goldfields.” This was encouraging, and when the hour of my departure came I had so muddled myself with calculations as to the body-guard of bull-dogs and blunderbusses, the precious person of your “ Mount Benger correspondent ” would require, that I had to compromise, and tide forth girt about with innocence alone, my best and surest safeguard. In order to prevent other adventurous travellers being troubled with similar qualms, I may at once remark that however rough Switzers may be, and being a purely mining township, the humbugs of paper-dickeydom have no groat footing within its boundaries, the stranger, whatever his opinions or position, may confidently expect a kindly and cordial reception. For my own part I met both from friends and (political) foes the kindest treatment. In short, I was a stranger, and they did not take me in. The road from Mackay’s Dunrobin Hotel to Switzers passes through a purely pastoral country, and for a distance of over twenty miles there is but one human habitation where man and beast may enjoy refreshment. This is at the crossing of the Pomahaka river, where Mr Rintoul occupies an accommodation house and store, to the great convenience and encouragement of all wayfarers. I observed a number of Chinese engaged in mining on the river banks : and a little farther up an adventurous party had set into a blind gully, not far from the road. To judge by the appearance and hardness of their wash, they must be doing well, for I have seldom seen more goldenlooking stuff. From the Pomahaka to Switzers, the roads runs through most promising looking country. To one accustomed to the rocky ranges of the valley of the Molyneux, the number of made spurs was surprising, and I have no hesitation in prophesying that sooner or later the whole of this vast tract of country will prove a thickly populated and remunerative goldfield. Water is a sine gm non, and with sufficient capital, that element can be easily brought to bear. To my mind, such a speculation appears infinitely more promising than the innumerable reefs which arc floated, whenever any of those in operation have a decently fair crushing. It was night before I reached the township of Switzers, or more properly Carnic’s Hill, and after refreshing inner and outward man, I was formally introduced to some of the notabilities of the place. The moat distinguished and memorable of these were the town bell-man, and the secretary of the mining association. The former gentleman is remarkable for his eloquncc, the latter for his literary skill. Alone and unaided he conducted a voluminous and intricate correspondence with the late Air Bradshaw upon the fifty-acre block, the proposed tax on domestic cats, and the possibilities of ; obtaining a government billet. So dreadful was ' the amount of brain-power required, that '■ Another letter from Air Bradshaw!"’ is the pot slang of the irreverent Switzerites. It is rumoured on the best authority—the person interested—that Clyde is to be blessed with the presence o£ this worthy as her Gold Receiver,

If the miner be true, I can only repeat thel words of the Presbyterian clergyman of Muttontown, when a "Wesleyan visited the place, ‘‘Heaven help the Uunstan !” The state of politics in Switzers I found peculiar. Nicholson, the Government candidate, was the popular favorite, and was generally acknowledged to be the only one likely to benefit the Switzers portion of the district. But Mr Bradshaw had got a billet for a miner who met with a disabling accident, and had written letters innumerable to the aforesaid Mr Secretary; consequently a powerful clique defended his cause, although perfectly well aware they were fighting a losing battle. On general politics I found the wildest ideas current. Many supported Mr Gillies under the impression it was T. 8., and not J.L., and even the warmest supporters of that gentlemau were ignorant of his chief claim to the favor of the electors, viz., his erudite and exhaustive treaties on “ Superphosphate and other manures.” lam proud to have been the humble means of putting Mr Gillies’s merits in a true light before a large majority of the electors of Switzers. On the Sunday before the poll I investigated the nature of the roads down the Waikaia Plat. My horse also was seized with scientific ardor, and I am not sure whether his nose or mine went deepest into the mud. lam sure neither of us struck bottom. Thanks to the thick coating of mud and the absence of anything like metal, my “ buster” did not prove fatal, still it placed me hors dc combat for some time. Even while I write, sundry twinges made me drop the pen and anathematise the Government for not providing more passable tracks, and thereby ensuring the safety of persons of importance like your Mount Benger correspondent. Monday, the 23rd of June, was the decisive day, and the hopes of the Nicholsonians sunk low when they looked at the snow-capped ranges all around. Our success depended on our bringing to the poll some forty diggers who were scattered about the alpine regions of the Dome and Waikaia. Still we made a good fight, and your correspondent drank, spouted, and gassed in the way the eternal fitness of things has shown necessary on such occasions. Nor were the Bradshawites behind; in fact, their energy was more remarkable than respectable. One enthusiast —a gentleman, to gather from his expressions on the stump, of the highest moral character and the most virtuous proclivities—shouldered one inebriate voter and carried him to the poll. He voted, and next day was seen wandering about in a bewildered condition, wondering “who the dickens lie had voted for 7” Of chaff, there was a superabundance, and, when the poll was declared, the fun grew fast and furious. Everybody knocked downeverybody else, and then shouted—fighting and whisky were the order of the day, and all without any greater display of animosity than could amply be atoned for by a blackened eye. If beaten at the poll, the Tartan was victorious in the fray, for out of the sixteen black eyes I counted next day, not a single one was sported by “our side.” That such a number of these ornaments should be visible to a careless observer augurs well of the intelligence of the Switzerites. It displays a deep interest in public affairs, and a readiness to suffer for an idea two of the most valuable qualities in a free and self-governing people. In spite of the fisticuffs, however, the utmost good feeling prevailed, aud the hearty British custom of “having it out’’and shaking hands afterwards is evidently an institution of Switzers. By Tuesday night all was quietness again, aud I had an opportunity of investigating the physical aud moral features of Switzers and its inhabitants. In my next letter you shall have the result of my researches.