SWITZERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 910, 8 May 1869, Page 5

SWITZERS.

(fkom our own correspondents.) April 24th. The great event of the past week was a lecture given by Mrs Nugent Wood. Apart from any interest which might be taken in the subject selected, the mere fa^ct of a lady lecturing at all is such a novelty to the majority amongst us, that mere curiosity could not fail to draw a full house. Tickets had been issued a fortnight before the day appointed for the evening's entertainment, and the exertions of the supporters of the proposed hospital for Switzers were well rewarded. At a quarter to eight on the evening of Wednesday, the 21st, Mrs Wood entered the room, escorted by Mr Wood, who occupied the chair. Mr Dean presided at the pianoforte, and commenced the evening's programme by singing "Scots w ha hae," after which the Chairman introduced Mrs Wood, who was to give us " A night with the spirits." As soon as the lady lecturer rose it was evident that she was suffering under a very severe cold. The first part of the lecture may be said to have consisted of a number of ghost stories, each of which depended upon evidence apparently irrefragable. The discovery of Foster's murderer in Australia, and :he dream in which a husband foresaw and anticipated the death of his wife and children in the ill-fated vessel the Royal Charter, were among the lecturer's narratives. Mrs Wood opened her lecture by at once asserting her own steadfast belief in spirits being permitted to visit this world of ours, and in concluding the first part she expressed the happiness which such a conviction gave her. [ Mr Dean gave an appropriate accompaniment to these concluding remarks by singing — Spirit of bliss, hov'ring above me, Guard me from ili ; Oh i as on earth, once thou didst love me, Watch o'er me s f ill ! From Donizetti's La Favorita. lii the second part of the lecture, Mrs Wood ingeniously turned the subject of spirits to the object fcr which the entertainment was given. We are a com*munity living apart from the world, said she : we believe that it is desirable to -provide a house, in which the sick digger from the out- lying districts may have comfortable attendance, and to obtain our ends it is necessary that we cultivate the spirit of love and charity, which alone can secure our perfect unanimity. The entertainment was given in the large room of the Crown Hotel. The sale of tickets realised upwards of sixteen pounds sterling. The chief object of interest during the forthcoming week is the election °o£ a medical officer in connection with the Medical Aid Society, which has lately been formed in the district. The contest creates much local excitement. The fourweekly subscriptions paid up 'o this date amount to about thirty-five pounds, representing a yearly income of between four and five hundred pounds. There is a petition being signed, in which the Government -will be requested to give_ permanency to the prospects of the sluicers here, by allowing them to take up acre claims. The Independent Race is running about six sluice heads, and is not likely to fail again this season. Subscriptions have been raised to macadamise High street, and as soon as the arrangesnients with the Government have been completed, the work will commence.

Tt is reported in Calcutta that it is likely his Excellency Lord Napier of Magdala will return to Europe in about three months' time, for the purpose, it is, believed, of taking up some commensurate command at home. It is probable that Lord Napier, being a liberal in politics, may have been offered some higher post in England connccrod with the army than that of Commander- in- Chief of the Bombay Army, and the presence in council of Lord Napier of Magdala may bodeemed necessary while the consideration of army reform remains on the tapis at the War Office, * y