DUNSTAN.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 311, 10 December 1873, Page 3

DUNSTAN.

(From our own Correspondent.)

At the meeting of the Committee of management of the Dunsfcan District Hospital, it was arranged that a meeting of subscribers be held on 10th January, 18^4, to appoint a polling day to decide who is to be the successful candidate for the office of surgeon., There are several applications to hand, and doubtless there will yet be some some others. It is rumored that Dr. Thomson, our local " medico," (as the author of '• Wild Will Enderby " would call him,) is to be among the number, but it is not thought that Dr, Stirling will seek re-election. Without presuming to say that the present charge could have been easily avoided, or even to disagree with the common Baying, " That one man is as good as another," Btill, I think, those who know the history of the Dunstan Hospital, will agree that great improvements in the management of that institution have been wrought since the present surgeon was installed. Though he had the privilege of private practice, he did not encourage it ; his whole time may be said to have been taken up -with the Hospital, and at whatever time a case would arrive, he was there at hand to attend to it. The many patients from a large district -^rao have been successfully treated has raised a good name for the institution, and there may be a goo.l deal of truth in what I have heard, that if a change occurs, subscriptions will considerably fall off; and even £100 saved, seeing that one half is subsidised -by Government, may not be all gain. It is also mentioned that the Cromwell district have long since been aping at having an Hospital for themselves, and should the present election cross their views, it will be easy to drive them to it. The Town Council held a meeting during the week. They have got the £300 to make the .main road through the Municipality, and contemplate bringing the Clyde municipal waterworks into operation. Cr. Auckland, for the third time, brought forward brother Cox's bill for stones supplied, but they would not: recognise it. They suggested that Cox should sue the Council ; but he said he looked to Cr, Auckland, he having guaranteed the amount to him. I can hardly -see how one member of a Public Works Committee can hold the other responsible, even if he should be the Senior Partner. One portion of the retaining wall in Spring-street has succumbed, .and fears are entertained for other portions of it. Your correspondent who feared the attacks of John Frost on its construction, must have been overlooking the power of the heat of the sun, or a remedy would have been ere now propounded. It is rumored that the Provincial and Goldfields Secretaries are to pay us a visit soon. Mr. Pyke, M.H.8., passed through the town, bound upwards. He looks like killing two or three dogs with one bone ; — meeting his constituents, introducing the " Southern Mercury," and officiating at the installation of members of the Masonic body at Clyde on his return, which takes place on the 10th inst. ; and as there is to be so me sports and a grand ball held on the occasion, we may expect to see him accompanied with other illustrious persons who are on a tour at present in the upper districts. Shearing seems to.be going on up-country, and the wool is passing down fast.' The Earnscleaugh Station started yesterday without any hitch about price, or any word of Chinese musterers, or apprentice shearers, The full 20s. per hundred was offered publicly flame tins since.