DUNSTAN.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 291, 28 August 1873, Page 6

DUNSTAN.

(From our ovm Correspondent. ) There is little of a very gratifying nature to record from this district at present. Business men are complaining of dull times, and some of them are leaving for fresh fields and pastures new. Mining speculations seem to have a fatality attached to them. The late sale of the pneumatic dredge under warrant of distress, is now to be followed by the sale of the steam dredge Salamander, by order of the trustee in bankruptcy. The Hit or Miss Company have sold their extensive plant, and have given up for good further working of deep ground on the river banks. Lindsay and party's race has been blocked up for the last few months by the frost and snow. It is something, however, in times like these to have something to tell that was really a success. The lecture of Mr. J. P. Armstrong in aid of the Hospital was undoubtedly so ; besides realising the handsome sum of £15 for the benefit of the institution, every one seemed pleased and satisfied with th^ lecture and the dance which followed. Eire was opened by the well-sounded notes of the brass band, and the jolly rattle of the drum in front of the town hall told the inhabitants that the entertainment was about to commence. The chair was occupied by Mr. Hazlett, M.P.C., who introduced the lecturer in a short speech. Mr. Armstrong then told us of his leaving Ireland in 1848, and shipping for America ; of bis voyage out, and getting into quarantine ; his voyage up the Mississippi, and arriving at New Orleans, which town has the peculiarity of being built on land considerably lower than the river, and were it possible for it to overflow its banks or make a breach, the whole town would be inundated , and where be was told there was not a stone in the whole State the size of a schoolboy's marble. There, 25 years ago, there was no slave emancipation spoken off; the niggers were bought, sold, and exchanged, and even gambled for, either in whole families or in lots to suit purchasers. They had churches, but there was one place for the white and another for the black. The lecturer stayed there nine months, and proceeded. 1200 miles further up the river to St. Louis. He described the Mississippi boats ; their fine acoinmo-

dation,' and that it was even cheaper to travel in these boats than to live in a hotel. From thence be went through Illinois. At that place they bad a great liking , for lectures — there were lectures on every conceivable subject. They even wanted him to lecture on dentistry, but be declined. He was not an old hand at lecturing, for tba present was but the third be bad delivered in bis life. Staying there a short time, be commenced his homeward course ; and as he beard that the widow of Joseph Smith, the Mormon leader, was keeping a hotel at Nauvoo, he made her acquaintance, and found her one of the most beautiful women be bad ever seen; and although a Mormon, she was not favorable to polygamy. He was very anxious to buy a Mormon bible from her, but could not. In New York he visited Barnum's Museum, then in its prime, and ex-ceptingelectro-biology-and spiritualism, not however much in those days, every other conceivable ology had its representative there. Taking ship in an over-loaded vessel with wheat, which was nearly foundered, he arrived at last safe in Dublin; and though dressed in Yankee garb with a tall bat, be was recognised by a street beggar, who, though asking charity, was also tbe first to shake hands and welcome him back. The second part gave an account of his voyage out to Melbourne, and his arrival at tbe diggings; but though I have only given detached pieces, space will compel me to cut it short. In winding up, he told us of tbe time when claims were held more by might than right, and how be succeeded in dispossessing one who attempted to bold a claim by might without his having to strike a blow. Mr. W. L. Simpson thanked Mr. Armstrong in tbe name of the Hospital Committee for the lecture given by him for the institution. Mr. Armstrong said, as Mr. Simpson bad' travelled over the Rocky Mountains and seen many of tbe places of which be had been speaking, be also should be asked to give a lecture. After a vote of thanks to the chair, the forms were quickly stowed away, and the floor cleared for a dance. To Mr. Armstrong great credit is due for coming forward to entertain us for so laudable an object, and being a stranger he certainly deserves the first place ; but I would be doing an injustice did I not speak of the excellent manner in which the others performed their part in the entertainment, lam not frightened to say that the town has a right to be proud of their brass band. Though not of very old date, it will compare favorably with any up-country band, and what is more, its members are always ready and willing to give their services for a good cause. lam unable to express myself as to tbe masterly manner Mrs. Stevens, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Campbell, and Mr. Harvey performed their parts, enough that every one was delighted beyond measure ; and last, though not least, Jet me compliment the M.C. Though his post may have been a sinecure, as every one seemed to know their business, yet without his former teachings many would not have been able to do so.