SWITZERS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 64, 1 May 1869, Page 6

SWITZERS.

(From our Own Correspondent). On Wednesday, 21st ult., a lecture Was delivered here by Mrs. Nugent '"Wood, entitled, "A Night with the It was highly successful — VHost Hunter's big room at the drown P Hotel being quite filled. The proceeds were to be devoted to the Switzers Hospital Fund, and this fact, conjoined to Mrs. Wood s great popularity in the district, no doubt tended much to secure so good an attendance, although the weather was unfavorable at the time. I. N, Wood, Esq., R.M., took the chair; and in a few appropriate words introduced Mrs. Wood, who, he said, was not given to lecturing, he - was happy to Bay, and that the present was het first appearance in that capa1 city. Mr. Fred. Dean, our talented bchoolmaster, enlivened the evening's amusement by his masterly execution of several pieces of music.on the pianoforte, with vocal accompaniment. As to the lecture itself, one can hardly give a fair idea of it jn the small space you will have to spare ; however, an outline may not be uninteresting to such of your readers as delight in ghostly apparitions. Mrs. Wood commenced by informing the audience that she believed in ghosts — not perhaps ghosts in general, but in a few special ghosts — only those Who have a reason for their visits. She cannot understand the prevailing dread of ghosts. The stories extant represent them for the most part "harmless and beautiful, coming for good and not for evil." Still, there always is a dread of such visitations, as being unnatural, and consequently fearful — and moreover, being supposed to forewarn an impending calamity, or divulge some dark deed done. Spmtualism had failed to gain her belief; it was as old as the history of man, but had never led to any more substantial results than supposed commuuication With spirits by means of lively chairs and kicking tables. Its forms were more or less borrowed from the ancient mysteries of the Egyptians, Chaldeans, and Greeks. The system is opposed to Christianity and humanity—" They wish to keep the soul still bound to the earth, to compel the spirit to quit the splendour of celestial worlds at their bidding," &c. Artemus Ward's interview with a medium was introduced as a burlesque on the professions of the Rappists. The fair lecturer , proceeded to explain her theory about j ghosts. That it must be possible for them to appear, because nothing is i impossible with Him who caused Moses ' and Elks to be visible to the disciples. But although possible, such visits are Hot permitted except to fulfil some act of love or retribution, which the infinite wisdom and mercy of Providence Bees fit to be done. As illustrations

of genuine ghost stories, the apparition the murdered girl at the Eed Barn, England, and of Eisner's Grhost in Sydney, were detailed. The former is well known to most people, the latter being introduced as one for the truth of which the lecturer could vouch, was listened to with great attention, and may be worth reproducing here in a condensed form. Fisher owned a farm in old times, near Sydney, and was considered wealthy. JEEe lived alone in a cottage about half a mile from the road, which Was bounded by -his fence —a lonely man, his only familiar associate was his next neighbour. He talked occasionally of going home to the old country for a year, and caused a power of attorney to be drawn up for his neighbour to act for him in his absence. He remained a week or so, and then ' disappeared ; but no ■ one missed him, or if they did they supposed ne was gone to England as intended. After a time the neighbour called on Fisher's lawyef , producing a letter and a will, both purporting to be signed by Fisher — the former requesting him to reside in the cottage and work the farm till Fisher returned; and the latter bequeathing all his property to this neighbour, if he should not be back in three years' time. The man took possession of the farm without exciting the least suspicion. After a time, a farmer returning from market told his wife he had seen Fisher standing beside his paddock fence. She disbelieved this, and attributed it to J the effect of drink. The following week he saw him again in the same ; place, and called to him, but received no answer. He then dismounted and went. to the place, but the form of of Fisher slowly vanished. His wife still refused to believe the tale, but 'promised that if he would abstain from tasting airy strong drink whatever on the next market-day, and come back with the same tale, she would believe it and help him to unravel the mystery. Smith told no one else) arguing with himself that if his old woman would taot believe it, who Would. On his return homeward he again saw the shadow standing against the fence. He spoke, he shouted, he jumped out of his cart, and, as before, it faded and was lost. The next morning 'at daylight he and his wife went to the nearest magistrate, and told their sfcange tale* They succeeded in convincing the justice of their sincerity tmd earnestness, and he placed the Inatter in the hands of the police. The man in possession of Fisher's property Vras visited, and the house searched, but no clue was obtained ; then black

'trackers were employed^ but even they i^were at fault at first Adopting thgjr practice of forming a circle

gradually, they came upon a pool near the roadside fence. Down they went on their faces, and presently one jumps up with a cry, saying, " White feLers' grease 'long o' water." The detectives then obsei'ved a bluei^h/sfeiim on the surface of the pool The hole was dragged ; the body of lusher, with the skull smashed in, was discovered ; the man who had possession of the property was arrested, tried, condemned, and hanged, having made a full confession of his guilt the night before. He had persuaded Fisher to give him the power of attorney, had used it to forge Fisher's signature to the other documents, and murdered him with a heavy ptick, which he had thrown into the pool after him. The most remarkable part of the tale is that the confession was not made public till after his death ; "So that the only witness that gave the evidence on which that man was executed, wds the shadowy form that the old farmer saw as he travelled homeward."

Other mysterious tales of ghostly apparitions, in illustration of the lecture, were read by Mrs. Wood, with great effect, among which 1 were " Steer Nor-West," and " Qhostly Quarters," from " All the Tear Bound ; " and the " Ballad of the Earl Desmond and the Banshee," an incident in connection with the loss oi the Boy'al Charter, was also narrated, of which the following is a brief summary : — A gentleman residing at Beechworth sent his family home by that ill-fated ship, and after some time fell into strange habits, giving way to drink and- otherwise attracting the attention of his friends by his behaviour. The warden, who was intimate with him, asked him the cause of his altered conduct. He declared he had seen his wile and children

dead, their hair and clothes streaming with water, and he knew they were drowned, and that he must soon follow them. The warden reasoned kindly with him, and gave much good advice, which the unfortunate gentleman promised to adopt ; but three days afterwards he Avas found dead in his bed, a suicide ! " At the inquest letters were produced, together with his diary, which contained the account of his dream, with the day and hour of its occurrence. Shortly afterwards news was received of the wrect of the vessel, together with the astounding fact that at the very hour when the husband had seen the vision, the wife and children became the victims of that fearful storm, which sent death and ruin to so many hearts and- homos. In allusion to the object for which the lecture was given, Mrs. Wood said.- — "There were those spirits whose help we must earnestly seek in the undertaking — Eaith, Hope, and Charity. The spirit of Faith shall lead us to believe in ourselves and each other : to smile at seeming difficulties : to throw down every obstacle, and where no way is open to carve out one for ourselves. And Hope — fair, smiling, heavenly Hope — is_ another spirit we must keep always by our side. If it were not for Hope, who could live in such a world as this? And Charity — or, rather, Love — the greatest, the'purest spirit of the three, — the very bond of peace and of all perfection, — must sanctify by its presence every step of our undertaking." The aid- of these kindly spirits would be needed as our building went on, but more so when it was finished. Charity must not fail, and other spirits also must be invoked. A sick room should always be peopled with angels —the spirits Patience and endurance to sustain the sick, and of Pity, Tenderness, unselfish Love, and gentle Courage to animate the muses. The lecture concluded with an appeal to the fair sex to aid in the establishment of the institution and in its conduct afterwards. A vote of thanks to Mrs. Wood for her entertaining lecture, and also for her exertions in the establishment of the Hospital, was moved by Mr. Bailey, who included in his motion the name of Mr. ~F. Dean, Schoolmoster, who had much assisted to render the entertainment agreeable by his vocal and instrumental talent. It is needless to say the motion- was carried by acclamation. I hear the proceeds were about £16.

The road in High-street is to be pitched and metalled, a subscription having been raised for the purpose. Mr. Bailey* Secretary of the Committee, has written to . the Government for a subsidy of £2 to £1, and if that if granted, this highly necessary work can be completed in a substantial and creditable manner.

Mi*. J. Hart, formerly of Wetherstones, is at present thrown out of employment, having a diseased joint on the thumb of his right hand : it is said it will have to be amputated. A subscription is on foot to assist him in this trouble. •It is a remarkable fact that- some time • ago the thumb of his other hand .was amputated for the same or a similar complaint. The Medical Aid Society here had a meeting about ten days ago, which is represented to have been unequalled hi rowdyness in the annals of the province. The chairman, Mr. Sergeant Bullen, in vain attempted to preserve order, and ultimately had to retire from his post, amid the violent declamations of the supporters of the two rival candidates for the office of medical man to the Society — Dr. MacCrystal and Dr. Daken. The former has been' residing and practising at Switzers for some twelve months back; the latter is a resident at the

West Coast goldfields. After a scene of terrifilc disorder in which even " physical force " was resorted to, to enforce argument when the voice was not strong enough to heard amid the din, a comparative calm ensued, during which Mr. Bailey was appointed to the chair, and .succeeded in restoring the meeting to an orderly state. It It was afterwards resolved to postpone the election of the doctor till next Tuesday (29th), all voting to be in writing, addressed to care of Mr. F. Dean, a gentleman who, though new among us, is already greatly respected in the district. Apropos of this gentleman, who is our local schoolmaster, I may mention that he is about to supply a want much felt in this district, viz., an evening school, which commences on Tuesday next, and is open for adults as well as the more advanced pupils. The popular readings came off as usual last Monday (26th), and t several highly-entertain-ing readings were presented. Mrs. Wood and her brother, Mr. Lapham (who, by the way, excels the Irish comic readings), were both, I regret to say, absent through ill health.