SWITZERS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 78, 7 August 1869, Page 3

SWITZERS.

(From our Own Correspondent.) July 31,^1869. The cold wintry weather that we have experienced of late, has had its usual depressing effect upon trade, and seems to have created more than usual dullness, causing great dearth of matter from which to furnish a newspaper correspondent's budget of intelligence. However, the miners have, been working steadily, and* have not, one would think, been doing very badly as a body — for the entertainment last night, which was given by the Switzers Amateurs, at the Crown Hotel, in aid of the funds of our new hospital (that is to be), was well* supported. The charges for admission were 4s. and 2s. 6d., for front and back seats ; and it speaks well for the prosperity of the place that there were a large number of the four-shilling seat-holders who contented themselves with back seats — indeed, the half-crown tickets were not nearly so saleable as the higher priced ones. This was mainly attributable to the zeal of the miners in the good cause. In fact, we are determined to have a hospital of our own, and so we may now regard it as unfait accompli. I said above that the entertainment was well supported. This phrase but poorly expressee the enthusiasm displayed. The big room at Hunter's Crown Hotel was thronged to suffocation. For half an hour before the performance began, no seat was vacant, and the utmost good, humour prevailed. The theatre had been redecorated for the occasion, at considerable expense, by Host Hunter ; a magnificent neAV drop scene, together with other scenery, side scenes, &c, were provided, making a tout ensemhle that would do credit to any minor theatre in the colony. The performance were introduced by the following prologue, spoken and written for the occasion by Mr. George Bailey, which was greatly applauded : — • Once more, my friends, a prologue I recite, To introduce the. programme for to-night j And by your leave, I first try t'explain The object -which, has brought us here again To seek yoar'aid. Yea all know well, I'm. sure, The hardships miners constantly endure. Most of you, dayhy day, experience these j Working, perhaps, in water to the knees ; To frost and snow and baleful midnight damps Exposed,~~producing ague, pains, and cramps. Nor these the worst. The toiling miner works To often in s"ome place where danger lurks Unseen ; as when, beneath some lofty face, He tends the sluice or labours in the race, The treach'rous earth, all undermined below By water, sapped or loosed by frost or snow, Hangs tottering — then come 3 thundering down, Dealing destruction upon all around. Where shall the injured miner then be laid ? The shattered limb reset ? How shall the aid So needed then, be rendered best ? 'Tis true The open purse and ready hands (not few) Were ne'er on Switzers sought in vain; but homes That answer well enough till sickness comes Are sadly 9heerlf ga then j the hard rough bed, "Where the tired miner lays his drowsy head And sleeps the sleep of honest toil, thrice bless'd, Will fail to lull the fevered brow to rest, Or ease the injured limb. So it is. eleai We want a Hospital built somewhere nearSome central spot in which the halt and lame, The broken ribs, the ague-stricken frame, May tenderly be nursed.. The district round Is large, though scattered ; and it will be found That a good number will in time to coma Thankfully make their temporary horn.*

In our new Hospital, Its open door Shall- equal welcoma give to rich and poor. Miners from Gow's Creek, Nbkomai, the Dome, No* those of Switzers only, shall find room ; And blessings pour on those kind hearts who try Such needful institutions to supply. This is our aim. I feel my task is light In asking some encouragement to-niglit. We do our best— our dsrkie3 are not niggers • Our vocalists are amatetos ; our actors, diggers; Your prologue-writer is Woo well I know it) A very sorry rhymester, wot a poet. So if you are not pleased, v pray you pauseWithhold your censure, bear in mind the cause. No sordid motives here, no\false pretence. But charity and true benevolence. 'Tis true^the .building ife not jet begun ; But Government will give us two to one As subsidy on every pound we raise By contributions, concerts, or &uch plays As that for which I earnestly invite Your patronage and kind applause to-night.

The popular and laugtvable farce, " More Blunders than . One " followed next, in which Mb. Moffat took the part of Louisa Lov&vtore, and acquitted herself admirably^ while Mrs. J. Graham's execution', of the character of Susan- elicited continual applause. The gentleman performers were Messrs. R. Burns, Canliffe, Braithwaite, Ennis, and Cooper — this last taking a female part, viz., Letty (from the country), with great humour. After the farce there was a musical ' entertainment, in which Mrs. Moffatt, Mrs. Vial, Messrs. ~F. Dean, Hunter, Collins, Ennis, and Miller assisted. A combat with singlesticks, between Messrs. Radford and Coppard, broke down, one of the sticks breaking after the first round. Another farce followed, entitled, "Which shall I Marry?" — Mrs. Graham taking the principal character, and Mr. James Graham and Mr. M'Eachen completing the dramatis personce. The performance concluded with the Switzers Christy Minstrels, in true nigger style — Mr. R. Burns appealing with a monster bass violin, of which he seemed to be perfect master ; Mr. Hunter, inimitable on the violin ; Mr. Douglas, " Bones ; " Mr. J. Graham, on the tambourine, <fee, &c. Some amusing and telling local hits were introduced in the way of conundrums, &c, which elicited roars of laughter. I cannot leave this part of my letter without giving due acknowledgment to Mr. J. Graham, whose exertions as stage manager contributed much to the really great success which attended the whole affair ; and also to the enterprising spirit of Mr. T'ios. Hunter, who not only gave the use of his room ■with lights, &c, gratis, but went to considerable expense . to provide for the accommodation of the large audience that was expected, and which expectations, as the result proved, Avere more than realised. The whole of the. back seats were arranged as a sloping gallery, so that the hindmost reached nearly to the ceiling, affording much greater facilities for seeing than in most country theatres. Those who know Switzers need hardly be informed that the evening was wound up with a ball ; but I may mention that, like all the rest, it went off in first-rate style, and was kept up with vigour until broad daylight. A great many faces seldom seen in the town have been about since, owing to so many having come in from the outlying districts, and it seems as if it will be some days before a few of them will have their " spree " over ; but I expect that shortly we will relapse into our former quiescent attitude. A few parties have got very rich claims at the Dome Creek, but many are doing but little. At Gour's Creek there is a fair quantity of gold getting; it is somewhat more evenly distributed there than at the Dome. About ten days ago we had a heavy fall of snow. People who have lived hero five years do not remember so heavy a fall. It is still very deep (almost impassable) towards the Dome ; but the new shelter-sheds, erected by the Government, have already done good service, and the people here are riot unmindful of the promptitude with which the Provincial Government complied with their request in that regard.

A meeting of the Medical Aid Society takes place next week, when a committee for the future hospital will bo appointed. It is hoped that Government will erect the building, so that whatever funds can be locaLy raised may be applied towards the actual relief- of the sick, in which case no delay need take place in carrying out the objects of the institution. The snow has now nearly all cleared off, and though the weather is cold, the sky is clear and bright, and promises fair for a continuance of delightful weather. The Independent Eace Co. have advertised for tenders to rent their race for twelve months, affording a chance of a lucrative speculation for some of your enterprising readers. The land sale held here on the 23rd was not so well attended as it might have been, as it took place in the open air; in the midst of a snow-storm which had lasted for about thirty hours. There were, however, thirty-five lots sold, ranging from £5 to £13 10s. a quarter-acre section. The average was, L believe, about £6 10a. I hear several parties, think of erecting buildings on the new township as soon as the fine weather seta in. It ia probable the hospital will be the first public building erected in the new township, and it is to be hoped that some attempt will be made to make it a sightly if not an ornamental structure.