SWITZERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4173, 3 July 1875, Page 3

SWITZERS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

There has been so little doing htre of late that I have found it impossible to gather material for a letter. Only the one dreary record of rain, frost, and thaw, week after week. The latest thing in the shape of amusement was the Oddfellows' Ball, which took place on the Queen's Birthday, and, though that is so long since, I must not let the matter pass without a word of commendation. The 'affair was held at Mr A. Mathison's . Hotel at Waikaia Township. This house, which is now almost finished, is by far the handsomest building in the dis trict, and rt fleets great credit on its enterprising propiietor. Oddfellows' balls are always popular amusements, and this was no exception, for. iv fpite of miry roads and rainy weatlu <\ «lio pen].lu mustered fiviu '.siand wide. T!>e bi.l: room was U.sb-fully decorated and well lighted, the supper was

excellent, and it was evident that Mr Mathison had spared neither time nor money to give his guests a kindly welcome; and they showed their appreciation of the compliment by keeping up the merriment till long apr the appearance of the tardy winter morning. On Saturday night last Mr James M'Clain a hotel at Waikaia Bush, was totally destroyed by fire. It appears that Mrs M -Clam had occasion to send one of her children for some article into an inner room, and by some mischance the child managed to let the candle which she carried come in contact with a muslin dress that hung upon the wall. In an incredibly short space of time the room was in flames, and it was with difficulty that Mrs M'Clain and the children escaped.with their lives. Mr M'Clain has lost nlmostall he had, and the good Samaritans of the ciistrict immediately started a subscription list in his behalf, which will, doubtless, be soon handsomely, filled. I also learn that the hotel and store of Mr Job Coutam. Nokomai, was burned down on the same evening, and that a digger, residing at Gow's Creek, lost all he had, in the same manner and at the same time as Mr M'Clain's mishap. Surely there is truth in the old adage that Misfortunes never come singly." I am glad to be able to say that a grant of £100 per annum has been received for the Switzers Hospital. I hope that the Committee will see their way to engage, a marnort couple to act as wardsman and matron. Ho doubt the present man does his best, but a woman is indispensable to such an institutior, were it only for the matter of washitig and cooking, not to speak of the many delicate attentions which are so constantly needed by the sick, and to which no one" can administer like a female. In fact, I have heard more than one patient object to go to the hospital, because there is no matron. Of course the public must aid the matter by promptly paid up subscriptions. Hospital inmates need many and expensive comforts, which a mere £100 or £150 per annum wnl go but a short way towards obtaining.