SWITZERS

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 338, 14 March 1874, Page 3

SWITZERS

{From an Occasional Visitor.) To a' man Accustomed' to the society of clodocrats, it is po slight relief to get among a purely mining population, to exchange " turmutsfand whoats ' ( as themes of conversation for discussions regarding dip and lay, pay-dirt and"bottonu Perhaps it was a desire .to enjoy this mental relaxation— perhaps it. may have, been the tempting programme of the annual races — that caused' me to have: important and pressing business in Switzers last week; but whatever the motive, I found, myself on Wednesday evening riding along the main street of the city of Switzers. Little need to enquire how the miners were doing ; money. Was apparently at a discount, while grog, it was equally certain" would, after a week's such shouting, be .at an enormous premium. Even a Good Templar would have been gratified by the good fellowship, good feeling, and good humor displayed by all. A hearty welcome from numerous old friends soon made me feel at home, and I devoted some time to the quest of n£w developments. The most remarkable feature I came over is the strong tendency to migrate to the once' despised Waikaia township. Some new buildings are started already, ,and many more are in contemplation. Mr. Alexander Matheson, well known to the travelling public as the enterprising and efficient mail contractor, has the timber on the ground for a new hotel and store. I was favored with a view of the plan, and can say that when completed it will surpass any other up-country house, and closely run. the finest town erections. I must not intrude on the province of your regular correspondent by attempting a detailed report of the racing ; suffice it to say that the sport was excellent, and that the horses were run entirely on their merits. On the course I saw representaves of all the outlying diggings, the Dome, Gow*s Creek, Upper Waikaia, &c, and was glad, to hear favorable accounts of all these places. The Upper. Waikaia men justly complain of the way they are neglected, by the Government. A comparatively, small iqutlay would, make the track from Switzers passable to bullock teams, but instead of such,. a sum being expended, a few. paltry shillings are being laid out in patching ithat -will, ,c.ertaily not resist the terrors of an Upper Waikaia winter. I trust you will not forget to urge the matter in your leading colums. There is another local grievance of great importance: I mean. the delay, in- opening for settlement the block on the Waikaia Flat. I can assure the member for Mount Benger that he is not complimented for his neglect of his constituents', interests in regard to this. So much enraged are they, that I should not wonder if a strenuous effort were made to constitute Switzers and Tapanui a separate electoral district. The block in question surpasses even the famous Island, and would be taken up in a week. I shall return to this subject at some future time. In the meantime, adieu.