SWITZERS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 160, 2 March 1871, Page 5

SWITZERS.

(From a Correspondent.)

I am sorry to have to state that since my last conuuunication was written, there has been no little amount of suffering among us. Mr. Davidson, of the Victoria "Hotel, Waikaia Flat, was thrown from his horse and had hi 3 leg broken. Dr. Lake was taken to the Hospital v week ago, sxiffering from cramp in the stomach, 1 believe. There have been seyen cases of scarlatina—one a boy from Invercargill, who had come to visit some friends, lie was well when he came, and continued to play about for some time, when he was taken ill, and got over the complaint very well ; and on his way home he took a severe cold, and had a relapse, and died shortly after he arrived back to Jnvorcargill. Four of Mr. Allan's children, and Air. Tretlieway, and one of his children, have had the same complaint. I have much pleasure in being able to say they are progressing favonrabty. While iam speuking on this subject, I cannot help passing a remark on the unsamaritan and unchristianlike conduct of the only minister residing here. A poor woman, who is living in an isolated localit}', a considerable distance from any neighbours, her husband and one of the children have the scarlatina ; another sioic, caused by over-exertion in aasisting.'-his mother ; the other one, a mere infant at the breast — and this humane minister, instead of affording all the assistance that lay in his power in relieving their distress, we find going round advising xhe people not to go near, and expostulating with those that had gone to thp interdicted spot. The advice has had tha desired effect on some. Others seeing the inconsistency of such conduct, follow the bent of their own feelings. One person he was advising told him that the uncivilised natives in the wilds of Australia would not treat their suffering fellows in such a manner.

The great provincial contest is over, and the rev.led one i3 in again Well, it is to be hoped that the rubs he has h:id in his tour through the different districrs will have taught him that in order to have the support and sympathy of a free people, he must act for the public good, and not merely for that of a particular class, The majority he has obtained is, after all, a narrow one, and it behoves him to do what he can to strengthen his position, and in order to do this he muofc offer every facility to settle the people oa the land ; do what he can to get a plentiful supply of water to the goldfields. Tho tub and cradle days are past, and in order that the gold returns may be kept up, water must be cheaper than it is at present, and more plentiful. During t.ie past six months a large number of persons have scarcely been able to do anything except when advantage was taken of an occasional shower The esenre rjtums have kept up surprisingly well here, but had those that required water been able to obtain it throughout the summer season, the escort returns would not only have been larger, but prosperity would have been manifest everywhere, and what applies to this district will apply to many others. And if the loan be obtained, that so much has been said about, the best thing that could be done for ihe the permanent benefit of the country would be for the Government to buy up all the water-rights on the goldtielcU, have a mining board in every district, the Warden to be ex ojjicio chairman to look alter the supply of watar, regulate the sale of it, fix the rate per sluice-head, and also to make recommendations to the Government of any extension that may be required on the works. There would thus bo a permanent valuable interest to commence with, and the works could bo extended as they were required.

(From another Correspondent.)

OFFICIAL DECLARATION OF THE POLL, WAIKAIA DISTRICT.

The official declaration of the poll for the Waikaia district was made here this day at half-past 3 p.m. Owing to soma misunderstanding, it was announced for 4 o'clock ; therefore many persons who intended to be present were disappointedAfter Mr. Marten, the Returning Officer, had read several protests that had been sent in by the friends of both candidates, none of which were considered sufficient to interfere with tho declaration of the poll; the numbers for each candidate were announced as follows :—: — Bradsliaw 265 Dean 144 Majority for Bradshaw 121 Mr. Bradshaw was therefore declared duly elected. Mr. Dean then called the atte?ition of the Returning Officer to the fact of the polling at the Nevis taking place at a licensed house, and pointed out its illegality

The Returning Officer explained that even it wa3 the case, it would not prevent him from recording the numbers polled. He had taken every precaution in his power. Lie had requested the Warden, Mr. Vincent Pyke, to name tho most suitable place ; but certainly if th-j polling had been taken at a license! hotise it was most improper, though it was too late now to remedy it. Mr. Bailey said he could exonerate Mr. Pyke from all blame in the matter ; in fact it was not correct that the polling took place at a licensed house, for although Mr. Pyke appointed the house in question in the first place, directly h's attention was called to its not being a proper place, he at afc once communicated with the Government to empower him to erect a tent for the special purpose of the election. A calico framrd tent was in consequence erected, in which the votes were taken.

Mr. Dean also made several other objections to the election, and the Returning Officer said he would forward hia reply in writing, not having time to Uo so at present.

A. vote of thanks to the Returning Officer was then proposed by Mr. Bailey and seconded by Mr. Robert Burns, Carried without dissent, excepting Mr. Dean, who remarked that as he was not a hypocrite, he would not agree with the proposition. The proceedings then terminate J. -

E«b*uarjr 23, Wl,