SWITZERS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 222, 2 May 1872, Page 8

SWITZERS.

(From a Correspondent.)

The mining operations in this locality are not just now of a nature to afford any special interest to your readers generally. The scarcity of water during the past dry summer somewhat l-educed' the earnings of the miners, but we have now a supply fully up to our usual average, and several claims which had stopped have resumed work. At Bastings and Simson's freehold claim, on Actorn Flat, a large cast iron* pump is now being erected, which will have the effect of keeping the deep ground dry; and before long we 'expect to hear that the old lead, if lead it may be called, has been struck. Some 12 months ago, this claim was estimated to be perhaps the- best .in the district : but one fatality after another has occurred to it, until many have lost all hopes of it ever again becoming remunerative; but the present proprietary seem to be taking it in hand in a thoroughly practical and energetic manner, and it will at any rate be fairly tested within a very few months from this time. At Muddy Creek, the tunnelling claims are turning out rich returns. Messrs Penny and Davis, who have been working for two years in their present claim, are reported to be doing as well as ever. Selig and party's claim is turning out fully better- uhan ever they expected. I hear -it said that they will probably; clear dB6 to .£8 a week all through. Up ' the Waikaia, a few claims are turning out very well, though it is hard to get reliable particulars. A party of Chinamen sold 40 ounces of gold this week ; and, as a general rule, it seems that this portion of our community have no reason to complain. They have a storekeeper of their own " persuasion* here, and he does a very good - trad» among . them ; but they scatter their money pretty freely also among,. the "barbarian" tradesmen.

A sad accident occurred the other day to one of our oldest storekeepers, Mr. John Utting, which resulted in a fracture of the leg. It appears that his dray, with about half a ton of meat on, was standing at his door, and the mare in the dray being rather flighty, be held her head while some other horses were being driven past. The mare took fright and bolted, Mr. Utting holding on for some thirty yards, making fruitless efforts to atfrest hep progress ; at length he stumbled in a small hole, and, falling, broke his leg — luckliy the; cflrt did. not pass .qver" b,im>

Dr. Lake was immediately- sent for, and set the limb. TJp to this time, the sufferer is doing well and it is to be hoped that before many weelss he will be able to get about again. As yet we have no auriferous quartz reefs developed in this district, but from time to time rumours are afloat of one or mpre about to be prospected. There is no doubt they exist in this neighbourhood ; and it seems to be a question of time when some party of miners, with the requisite capital and enterprise, will take in hand to prospect for a payable reef, and establish this branch of mining among us. The "Nokomai Herald," a manuscript paper, is still issued weekly. It is quite a curiosity in its way, being fully' as large as some printed upcountry papers, and entirely written by hand. The proprietor, Mr. Evans, deserves great praise for his industry and pluck. It is sold for a shilling, and I hope he meets with support sufficient to remunerate him for his labour. A few copies make their way to Switzers occasionally.

Our School Committee have been rather non-plussed by the receipt of a letter from the Secretary of the Education Board, stating that after October Ist our school is to be considered a side-school, under the Regulations passed on the 2 1st March. The grant towards salary of side-school teachers is to be £45 a-year ; but exception is •made in favour of our teacher, and in consideration of Mr. Hawson's attainments, he will retain the status of main schood teacher, with salary at the rate of £90 per annum. The rent allowance will cease at the above date. The Committee have hitherto received £100 towards salary, and £25 as rent allowance, and we formerly paid £200 a-year to the teacher. Some difficulty was experienced in making up the difference, and therefore when a vacancy occurred the salary was altered to £125, plu£ the school feet, which makes the income of the teacher partly dependent on his success in attracting pupils to his school. Mr. Hawson left Kaitangata (where he had held a similar office for three years) solely for the inducements of the higher rate of remuneration offered at Switzers. His appointment was sanctioned, and, indeed, highly approved of, by Mr. Hislop, who was actually present at the Committee meeting when that appointment was made. And now, after he has, at considerable expense, broken up bis home, removed his family to Switzers,. and furnished his residence, &c, the Committee are suddenly deprived by the Government of the power of fulfilling their part of the contract with him. Has not the press some weight with the autocrats of the Education Board ? I think it has, and if we could enlist the "Tuapeka Times " in dur favour, some remarks from jour able pen! might go far towards supporting the remonstrance which no doubt will be forwardsd by the School Committee on the subject. You will find the Regulations under which this alteration is to be made in the Provincial " Gazette" of 17th March.