ALEXANDRA.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 7, 22 December 1869, Page 4

ALEXANDRA.

(From our Own CorresponUnt.). Gn Saturday hist our townsmen were alarmed by the cry of " Fire," and on rushing to the scene, found the shop of. Mr Beresford, carpenter and joiner, in full blaze. The wind at the time was in such a direction, that, had it not been for the prompt action of the neighbours, I should have had to chronicle a calamity which makes one shudder at the bare thought of; especially when it is taken into considera. tion that we have no sufficient water at command, nor have we any organised body to act in such an emergency. It naturally occurs to one's mind, and in fact has caused some talk amongst us, that there is a great necessity for some action being taken relative to the large amount of powder now openly stored at several of the stores in the township. Since the advent of quartzreefing amongst us, a great demand has sprung up for this dangerous commodity, aud 1 have no hesitation in saying that not less thau a ton and a half is now openly stored, and it is only some few days since I actually saw a little child on the pathway making a plaything of a 251b-keg ■ and just previous to this, at another store, I saw fifteei kegs being delivered, which were stacked outside under the verandah, and on which three men were sitting smoking. I think, therefore, that it has now become necessary that some steps should be taken for its proper storage, and thai it should be made on the vendors to have the same placed in localities where it would hi less dangerous to the town and its inhabitants. Our quartz mining interest is still in a progressive state at Butcher's. On the Alexandra reef the shafts are being carried down with great vigour, no less thau twelve companies sinking for the loJe, the results from which cannot be expected for some ten weeks from present date. At Iversen's, on the Conroy line, they have carried a shaft down about 75 feet, but owing to the reef not thickening at that depth, the company have determined to sink again more to the southward. 1 had an opportunity of examining some stone taken from the shaft they have commenced, which was literally speckled with gold, and a prospect from casing and rubble yielded a dwt. to the tin dish. A prospecting claim at Blackman's Gully has been applied for, and from the gold seen in the leader, there is every reason to believe that another valuable discovery has been made. Our sluicing claims are all giving good returns, and I may particularly mention the Ovens and Manuherikia Co.s, and Blackwell's party. It is a cause of great regret that a greater abundance of water cannot be brought to bear upon the many auriferous spots known in this neighbourhood. There is an undoubted good field for the outlay of capital in bringing water to bear upon these localities, giving employment to many, and splendid returns to those who have the pluck to make the necessary outlay. For our race meeting, we have seven entries nominated for the District Handicap, and the weights, as adjusted by the Stewards, have given great satisfaction. A new course has been made, and there is no doubt from the quantity of horses in training that we shall have a more than ordinarily good meeting, and that a largo gathering of the lovers of racing will be attracted. Mr Nelson, who has been in the Police Force for some years, has been compelled to resign from ill health ; and as this gentleman has boon mainly instrumental in the formation of the various lodges connected with Forrestry, great* sympathy is felt for him. At Clyde, the Brethren have made him a valuable present, and there isno doubt that tho members of the other lodges in the District will follow their good example.