FROM INVERCARGILL TO THE DUNSTAN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 975, 24 December 1880, Page 3

FROM INVERCARGILL TO THE DUNSTAN.

[By Gou ilphin’.] The surroundings of Queenstown are, in every sense of the word, lovely, and, to the p’Cticaliy inclined, they would, no doubt, aff >rd a varied field for the display of their talents. Not being gifted in that direction, I shall abstain from inflicting an effusion on my readers. About nine o’clock the local hand paraded the principal streets, and discoursed anything hut sweet music. I was somewhat astonished to learn that the town possesse I a local volunteer corps, which mot for parade during the evening I was there. Iha 1 not the felicity of “inspecting” them, but I was told that they mustered very strong. There is mush to be said for ami against volunteering in small towns like this [ have heard it often s f a‘ed that, in nine oases out of ten, young men join, not for the purpose of serving their “ Queen and Country, ” but for the ostensible pnrp ise of airing themselves art 1 their Uniforms before the public, and their “ gals ”in particular. O-i the other hand, it is often aivan-i-d in its favor, by enthusiasts that drilling tends to keep young men off the streets and out of billiard-rooms and “ pubs.” ; and, to a certain, extent (its them to enter action, should such an event unfit unale’y occur. I must admit that I ain inclined to entertain the latter view. Some notable men hold the opinion that warfare will, at no distant period, cease to exist, which, of course, would necessitate the “sacking” of soldiers and volunteers. In the interests of society, and the world, such a consummation is devoutly to be wished; hut, at the same timi, it would sadly affect the vanity of the gallant cantaois and majors who are so numerous in the American army for instance. The water heating against the shore of Queenstown at times makes a deafening noise, and forcibly reminds one of the song’ “ Down by the Deep Bad Sea ” Eichardi’a hotel being close to the shore, the sonn 1 of the water is very distinctly hoard, and is ant to keep awake those avho are not sound sleepers, and acoiistomei to be located near lakes. I: had this effect cn me, and 1 was somewhat thankful v/h-ua appeared. I rose betimes, and, after enj lying a hath (the water bein'-’ pumped from the Lake), wended my way to the Paik. The morning was a magnificent one, heant'fmly cool, and mild, and I enj.iyei the change from a flit country to the mountain scenery. Here I fortunately dropped across .an old Invercargill friend i who was likewise visiting the L ike for the I first time. After a stroll and an inter- I change of ideas, extending over half anhour, the bracing airaharpenod my appetße, I and r was forced to leave my friend, who is i somewhat romantic, gazing at the smooth blue water, and I lost no time in “ nadino ” | tor my hotel. After partaking of a hearty meal, [ had a look round the town, and was much pleased and surprised at its appearance. The majority of the huildi’v’-i ar>- handsome and built of stone, several improvements, 1 was informed, were liein” effected by certain tnwnapoo-do to th-rir plae-s of business. Mr Robert Boyne has Ute’v built a handsome fr’cstoac store, which has a largo s’nek of grocery, station cry and drapery, with conaino Rms premises above, consisting of six roans. The stone was procured about 12 miles from the t ■■’■o, and is allege 1 to be more durable tli . j the Oainaru article. The rooms unstail’s are iiandsonfclv furnishel, with the view of aco nniin bating touris’s dnri’io the season. Mrs M’Bride the proprietress of tlio Harp of Erin Hotel, is also improving and making additions to her house. Which’ when completed, will contain fifteen he 1rooms. Business hero is exceedingly dull, so say the tradespeople. The chief excitement of the day appears to ho the arrival of the steamers from Kingstown. Most of the people then 11 ick down to the j iUy, and the passengers quickly land and satisfy the inner man. The hotels then do a' fair Made for an h-mr or two. After this silence reigns supreme, and, in the place of the sounds of corks (lying, and friends laughing and talking, the afo-esaid melancholy beating of the water is heard. A good trade appears to bo done in timber hoi”, which is nearly all got from the heal of the lake. I gleans 1 that a reef—the Invincible—had been opened at the heal of the Like, Two torts of the stone, sent to Dime lin for a trial crushing, yielde 1 1 oz 1 dwt, which is deemed by the party to hi very satisfactory. The'hands engage I in Phoenix Reef at Skipper’s were recently paid off. but there is a probability of them being put cm again soon. The public instiivttiims of Queenstown are han Isom i, commodious buildings, particularly the Free Library, which contains about 2;10J volumes. ' There are some very pretty walks about the town, and it was suggested to mo that 1 could get a magnificent view if 1 tool, the trouble to mount the Saddle on Ben Lomond or the B nven Peak about five miles. A horse not being generously place 1 at my disposal by the adviser, I was not “on.” I got as far as the for, 1 -, but having in my minds-eye the loneliness of the journey, I returned, and wended my way towards the Cemetery, which, by the way'is prettily situated at the foot (if the “ Bon.” This “depository for the dear departed ones ” is in excellent Order, and reflects groat credit on the trustees oh management. A stranger is astonisho I at the handsome head stones over the graves, which are nearly all the work of (lie local sculptor. (Mr E. M'C.iffVey). This gentleman was exceedingly kind in shewing mo over the gv-oun 1, an I explaining several details of his art. He has the lease of a quarry situated about 12 miles from the town. The class, of freestone taken from this is almost equal to marble and a sample, forwarded to the Sydney Exhibition, was pronounced by the commissioners to die imperishable. For his superior workmmshin, Mr M‘Caffrcy (who sent about IS or 20 samples of freestone and marble), was awarded, the first darrea of merit and a bronze medal. Ho has likewise for-wa-ded nmae-ons pieces of stone work to tho Melb.iurno Exhibition from which he ex!”'.-ts to receive further awards. I noticed that some of the other heal stones were crumbling away, and in s-imo casos the -lettering was almost entirely obliterated. {To be continue!.)