"MR. ARMSTRONG'S SECOND LECTURE

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 303, 12 November 1873, Page 3

"MR. ARMSTRONG'S SECOND LECTURE

Mr. J. P. Armstrong delivered his second lecture on Friday evening last, at the Athen«eum. This discourse was in aid of the funds of the Otagefjenevolent Asylum. To obviate misapprehension, we beg to state that this iecture was not a re-deuVery of that which he delivered recently on behalf of the Tuapeka Hospital. The-Bubject of Friday's lecture "*was "An Irishman's Experience in America, and Australia in and after 1852," There was a good attendance. Vincent- Pyke, Esq., IMLH.R., occupied the chair, and with a few "Admirable introductory rcmarts prefaced the lecture. The firsh branch of his subject was r a reference to the Benevolent Institution, and %ts clainiß on our regard. He eaid that Tua<peka supported that institution better than any other goldfield. During 1852, there was very little civilisation, but a great d«al of vol- ■ *untary immigration. The gold miner's license fee was 30s. a month in 1852, which fee for the license, owing to its in'ode of collection, gfeatly _ agitated the mining community. About this time there was a rush to M'lvor, j 'whereto the lecturer Btarted early in 1853. The lecturer pitched his tent where was the Government Camp, but he was ordered off. Mivor was densely timbered. He tendered ] *tO supply the Government Carap with firewood. He got £2 per loaS. He made Beveiral hundred pounds by the wood contract. At this time a great number of Iri*h squireens 'cime out to Victoria. He then first made the acquaintance of the Hon, Julius Yogel, who ' was then a partner with one Grant. The lecturer was told by his brother, who came out 'to Victoria about this time, that carting wood %as not respectable. The lecturer said he did not know what to do, unless he went into the police or cadets. With his brother he stai t">d ttorekeeping and auctioneering at Heathrote, and they did rery well there. At this time, 4he private gold escort was stuck-up. He was •employed as A bushranger's hunter, and he stopped out all night trying to catch the bushrangtfi*. The lecturer merely pretended 'to seek the robbers. At this time, Governor Hotham paid hie vico-regal visit to Mvlvor, v «nd the Governor was met by abandofmueic. "The horses attached to a plough iwoite bright<ened, and the Governor asked ft man the 'cause, and the man replied, "It is the first >time they have seen a Governor." We must fftftw.eummarise thJB very original lecture, .and

in bo doing we can only report the heads of the remainder of the lecture. We arc compelled to omit the numerous anecdotes included in- Mr. Armstrong's very admirable extemporaneous discourse. It was listened to attentively, and at various times elicited hearty bursts Of apparently irrepressible laughter. Friday evening's lecture referred chiefly to the witty narrator's experience in the neighboring colony Of Victoria. The subjects referred to were — 1. Itinerant preachers oh the goldfields ; 2. The goldfields' public house system ; 3. The arrival of Sir Charles Gavan Duffy ; 4. Christmas sports on the goldfields; 5. Illustrations of past national enmities ; 6. Matrimonial bargains ; 7. The Ararat rush j 8. The lecturer commences his dental profession at Ararat} 9. Political temptations. Each, of the foregoing divisions of the lecture were very exhaustively dealt with by the lecturer. Mr. Mouat, in a few grateful remarks, on behalf of the audience, tendered the lecturer the thanks of the Tuapeka public for his very benevolent and entertaining discourse, and Mr.^irmstrong expressed his gratitude for the attentive consideration the audience had extended to him. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded tho proceedings.