SWITZERS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 1294, 18 September 1873, Page 5

SWITZERS.

(From our ovm Correspondent.) Tho amateur dramatic performance in aid of the funds of the hospital took place in the concert rooms of the Crown Hotel on Friday, sth inst. The weather was fine (which is more than i could say for any day since), and a house in which standing room was scarcely available greeted the players on the occasion. The piece selected for representation wa3 entitled " Found in a Four-Wheeler ;" aud I imagine, from the manner in which all played their part, that the prompter's billet must have been a sinecure ono. Miss Nugent, as Mrs. Holloway, played the part of the virtuous indignant wife capitally ; Mr. Brodrick, as Joe Capsise, alias No. 93, played the part of the Cockney cab driver in excellent style, in fact he looked and spoke the character, and the audience warmly testified their approval ; Mr. Davidson, as the samewhat jealous and irritable Mr. Holloway, exceeded our expectations ; and Mr. Thomas, as Milley Meddlesome, the servant of Mr. and Mrs. Holloway in the play with cabby, created bursts of applause. The second part of the entertainment consisted of a sort of impromptu concert, in which some capital singing was evinced. Messrs Fielding, Dean, «tnd Garvey successfully distinguished themselves. A sort of bazzar or aft union was improvised a few days before the performance, and considering the shot't time those who took the trouble of getting it up had at their disposal, they were very successful, as the result proved an addition to the funds of over £27. The two events combined realised about £50, which will prove a good acquisitijn to the funds of the hospital. The business of the Miner's Association, held on the sth inst., was unimportant, and the Committee arranged to hold the annual meeting of the Association on the 4th October. Many of your subscribers in thi3 s trict read with pleasure the news conveyed by your leader of last week, which informs us +he Government intend to throw open a large block of agricultural lr.nd in this district. It is really much needed ; and we trust yon do nbt refer to the 2,500 acres on deferred payment on Gow's run, and which cannot be made available for settlement until March next, as Mr. Gow's lease does not expire until then, and it is most unlikely the Execu- | tive would pay compensation for the four months of unexpired lease. Still 2,500 is not much — just about sufficient to locate a dozen families ; and I believe I know of twice that number who are anxiously waiting for the desired event. The block negotiated by Mr. Duncan in, I think, 1868 from Mr. M'Kellar, and consisting of 4,000 acres, is all taken up for boua fide settlement, and adjoining this block on tho valley of Waikaia, and extending for a distance of 20 miles, similar blocks from 6 to 15 thousand acres are readily available, and steps ous^ht to be taken by the Executive to open another block adjoining the present. The article above referred to goes on to observe that a spirit of opposition has been manifested by certain parties to the granting of agricultural leases, &c. Thi3 could only refer to the Mining Association, and as such they interpret it, they being, I believe, the only parties who have had occasion to object, and their objection only extended to the granting of two applications of 30 acres each, within a stone throw of the township, and which land is essentially necessary for mining purposes, as it is commanded by water races which have cost over £5,000, and ia requisite for the advantageous working of many acres of gullies and flats situate on a lower level. The Mining Association, at their last meeting, determined to continue this opposition, and instructed the Secretary to that effect, in no obstructionist spirit, but solely in protection of the mining interest ; and as the Association represents 165 bona fide miners, there is little doubt their just representation will be recognised in the proper quarter. (This remark can have no effect on the case pending, as, according to advertisement in your columns, the ca3e will be determined before your journal of the 18th arrives here). Permit me to add, for the enlightenment of those who may imagine that the miners here are adverse to settlement, that they were the first to move in the matter, and it is largely owing to their action that the now occupied block of 4,000 acres was procured by the Government.