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Dunstan Times, Issue 745, 28 July 1876, Page 3

The dream of our long cherished hopes is at last fulfilled. We’ve got a bridge; after years of feverish expectancy we possess one, and we rejoice in cur possession; but the question that follows is, now that we have it what will we do with it? As an ornament and additional charm to the scenery dull is he who is capable of despising it, especially when it can he seen, which can be clone by proceeding for about half-a-mile up the river bank, where you can catch a full view ; and at other places—if your eyesight is not defective —you may get an occasional glimpse; but, from the town itself, your chance is altogether hopeless; indeed, it may be truly said, as far as seeing is concerned, for those in the town there may he no bridge in exis

tonce, and a stranger passing through might go on his way and live all his little life, perhaps even happily, and go down to his grave unconscious of this important fact, unless bailed up by some generous well-informed person and enlightened as to our possession. ’Ti# a pity that, for the sake of a few additional pounds, more prominency was not given to this structure, instead of burying it at so low a level, rendering the approaches of so steep a nature as to make them arduous and difficult for every kind of traffic. 'Tis a pity, also, that the road to Butcher’s Gully was not constructed simultaneously, as many month’s may yet be frittered away before this most necessary work is even commenced. Without the road the bridge is comparatively of little use ; and I have no hesitation in saying that, had proper representations been made, the celebration of the opening of the Bridge would have included that also of the new road. As it is, the only person who derives a questionable benefit from its erection is the Toll Collector, who basks himself in all the luxuries of a sinecure. Heaven save the mark ! It is pitiable to see this happy indi vidual pacing sentry-like on his beat, scanning the horizon—a parody on Marianne of the Moated Grange—“he cometh not.” Not a team in sight, he saith, and anon his head falls dejectedly on his sorrowing breast, and with a sigh dips his hands into his empty pockets and resumes his weary -walk.

The atmosphere is impregnated with Concerts Turn wheresoever you will, one will stare you in the face. Every newspaper contains some announcement of one past, present, or future. We must be considered by those at a distance as the mest musical folk in the world. No matter what the object, or the aim, if people are to be drawn together, a concert is the only known medium. Would that some daring and inventive genius would originate, by way of change, some other method, the same dish for every meal connot be always relished What say ye, my masters, to a spelling bee, or a dramatic performance; my pro clivities incline to the latter, the only obstacle I wot of being the difficulty of procuring female performers. We have the material, but some unaccountable prejudice seems to pervade tbe fair specimens of humanity from engaging in this class cf amusement. If diis morbid feeling could be got rid of I have no hesitation in saying that a dramatic club could bo at once formed which would offer a pleasing variety to those eternal concerts, about which, by the bye, it may be said that there is one feature noticeable, and that is the absence, or exclusion of songs of the Christie Minstrel type. It cannot be gainsaid that this class of music abounds in songs of the most beautiful * and popular description. The choruses especially present all those features that, when rendered truly and harmoniously go directly to the hearts and feelings of a mixed audience such as ours, and as a fact we possess amongst us more voices suitable by far to such rendering than solo singing, which, in many instances, has to rely more upon the kindly forbearance of the audience than to honest merit. Some considerable time back a crowded meeting was held in the Athenaeum with the view of ascertaining the wishes of the people as regards the erection of a new church building. Lengthy, and what may be considered eloquent addresses, were trundled forth on that occasion, resulting in an unanimous expression of opinion that the time had arrived when the present building, which had done such good service, should be no longer employed, but that, like all other old and faithful servants, it should be sent about its business as being behind the times, and a disgrace to modern civilization. Plans were submitted, scanned, and discussed; and there and then a subscription list prepared, which seemed to offer as many attractions as a treacle pot to hungry flies, for people elbowed one another in their haste to attach their signatures thereto. A handsome total soon swelled up on paper, and all “ went smoothly as a peal of marriage bells.” The event was so auspicious that I kept wondering to myself how could 1 have been content all these years, Sunday after Sunday, to enter that dingy old church, that seemed now a blotch upon the fair landscape around me, and that before many days were over my ears would be gladdened with the sharp metallic sound of the mason’s trowel, and that each rising sun wouldglist upon the growing wall and architectural beauties of the modern building ; but these brilliant fancies, I regret to say, remain unrealised, as poor St Michael still rears aloft his dingy old head, his rheumatic frame still vibrating to every passing breeze, while his asthmatic iron throat still continues to sound his reproaches af matins and eventide. Wherefore is this ? Was the clamour and the enthusiasm but glitter and tinsel, and has the curtain fallen to rise no more upon the first act of a drama that gave such promise in the opening scene 1 Sound the prompter’s bell and let the actors bo summoned, for verily the audience are getting impatient for the rising of the curtain. Can you not hoar their murmurs and their stamping feet 1 Let us see this second act, and we will pronounce upon thepiecc when it is finished. Momus.