THE SWITCHBACK IN DUNEDIN.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2016, 6 March 1890, Page 4

THE SWITCHBACK IN DUNEDIN.

“Telemachus,” writing from the Dunedin Exhibition to the Australasian, says :—“ The switchback is here roaring along gloriously. It is a machine for producing new sensations beyond doubt. As in Melbourne, it causes every girl to scream on her first ride, but that is not fair evidence of originality. The revelation comes in when some douse old Scotch body from the Taieri or Clutha appears, full ot interest and wonder, poorly cloaked with an affected contempt. ‘ And what’s yon? ’ says the old lady to her daughter. ‘ That F Oh, that is the switchback. It’s delightful, granny. Come and have a ride.’ * Indeed I’ll do nothing of the sort. I’d have little to do and no muckle self-respect when I’d allow myself to be birled in the like o’ that.’ ‘ Oh, but it’s funny and nice, and only costs’ threepence.’ ‘Tak’ the lassie,'John ; she’s daft after it. ‘ Tak’ her yerseT. I didna come here to make a laughing stock o’ mysel’.’ ‘ I wouldna mind to go wi’ ye.’ £ Weel, weel, I’ll just humor ye ! ’ And so they mounted to the stairhead, and seat themselves in the cars, and whirr—they are away. I suppose it would be impossible to get an instantaneous photograph of the faces on the switchback ; if it were possible there would be a fortune in Jv. The lassie screams, the auld wife prays, the gude man looks unco dour nil a cougle of grades are passed, and then brightens up as if vanned by whiskey. ‘ Do you like it, mither? ’ ‘ I’m no tor saying that, but its awtu’ like.’ ‘ Well, try anither. Comeawa.’ They try two, or three, or four., or five before they are content, and the auld man is only ill-content when he comes to count his siller, tie ne’er knew sixpences to go bang at that pace before,”