SWITZERS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 185, 24 August 1871, Page 6

SWITZERS.

(From our own Correspondent.) August 17.

The snow that covered the face of the earth when I wrote my last letter suddenly disappeared by the breath of the strong northerly wind we have experienced during the past fortnight, causing the creeks and rivers to be flooded — the Waikaia was very high. It has also been rather too effective to be pleasing to many of the miners here in making the supply of water less than it has been for some time past. But the scene has changed. The strong winds and the pattering of the rain give evidence of a storm without, just enough to make one feel what a pleasure it is to have no home to go to.

I was rather taken by surprise when I saw a letter id your papei* last week headed "The Waikaia Objections." I thought we were done with that subject for the year '71. Two months have passed quietly since the subject was worth thinking about. I naturally thought that some one was rather short of something to write about (not an uncommon occurrence), and had hit upon the above subject. I soon saw that it was by the Returning Officer. It might be an apology to those electors who had been caused so much trouble by his misguided rashness, and I was willing on my part to accept the amende honorable. But T quickly found that it was merely an ingenious attempt to shift- the blame from himself to some one else ; perhaps the' electors were to blame; or "the pimple-rajnded correspondents" for administering " vigorousphilippipp," and writing " fictitious " correspondence; or the Revising Officer for exercising hia own judgment, and making the Returning Officer appear so small? O dear ! what he. must have suffered during the past two months. Two hundred and sixty-five names — what a patch ! and to miss all except a few who were non est. 0, " what a fall was the-re." " Vaulting ambition overleaped itself." He had better have suffered in silence tfhan appear in such a pitiable plight. Mr. Marten compares the test of 1870 with that of 1871 to reMeve himself of the odium

that may be attached to his conduct in the late affair ; but he does not give any reason for objecting to persons this year whose claims were proved last year under the annual value test ; and other persons whose houses were of that quality that their claims would be sustained under any test. Taking all the circumstances into accouut, the least that can be said of it is that it was a venture.

The Switzers Hospital is but a small one, but it has afforded accommodation hitherto for the patients who have had cause to be there. It is built in a good healthy situation, adjoining the Waikaia (that is to be), and near to Welchmane Gully. It has been open for the reception of patients for nearly fifteen months. There is a married couple to attend on the sick, and to do auy other necessary work aboatthe Hospital, who have been receiving as salary the sum of £80 per annum, but as economy is to be the order of the day, notice has been piven them that it is to be reduced to £60. For the first ten months Dr. Lak.. was appointed to visit the patients at he rate of ten shillings and sixpence a visit to each patient up to the number of eight visits, when his pay ceased — four guineas being the full amount allowed for each patient. For the last four months the doctor has been receiving a regular salary at the rate of s6SO per annum, and was allowed to reside at the Hospital when at home, and enjoy such accommodation as the place afforded. The doctor not finding his quarters commodious enough, and the Committee not being in a position to make any additional room, the doctor therefore tendered his resignation. A special committee meeting was held last Friday evening, when Dr. Lake's resignation was accepted ; and it was further resolved that in future "the doctor of the Hospital shall receive a salary at the rate of eighty pounds per annum, without board or residence, and shall be allowed to practice within twenty miles of Switzers. You see we have no honorary surgeon's interest to look after, only the public interest ; and to that end it does appear necessary to curtail the expenses as -much as possible, so that the doors may be kept open to afford help to those who may need it. The salary may seem small, but the number of patients is also small, aud it does appear to be a very good supplement to an extensive practice, and would be a good opportunity for a new arrival whose object is to look after the interests of his profession.

I have very little to say about mining affairs. There seems to be a tendency in thp direction of the upper Waikaia. The two parties that I told you of as having amalgamated for the purpose of cutting a race to their claims have finished the work, and are about to start sluicing. Another party has taken up a claim on the opposite sidii of the river, aud is about to start also to cut a race to bring water from one of the tributaries for ground sluicing purposes. Thera is very poor news from Waikaka and M'lntyres. Numbers are leaving the latter place.

At Switzers, affairs continue about the same. I have heard a report that Skene aud party are about to offer their race for sale to the Government for the sum of three thousand pounds, but I cannot vouch for its correctness. It it is true, and the Government should see fit to purchase, a great boon would be conferred on the district, as cheap water is very much needed.