JOTTINGS FROM ALEXANDRA.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 29, 1 June 1870, Page 5

JOTTINGS FROM ALEXANDRA.

, .' (From our own Correspondent.) Business of all sorts in this quarter is in a very languishing condition ■ at present. The river is still above working level, but is again falling slowly—this time surely for good, otherwise business will get a Bud blow this season. • The library has been closed for the past six weeks. This has caused groat dissatisfaction and some growling among the reading public, as the issuing of books has been stopped, ostensibly for the purpose of taking stock and getting in Btray volumes. However, a meeting of the Committee was held on Wednesday evening last,. and it was resolved to again open the doors, and also that subscribers should be particularly requested not to take out books without having them entered by the librarian. This notice was much needed, as hitherto books have been taken indiscriminately from the shelves, without any account of them being kept. The consequence is, that many valuable volumes are missing. This institution, though still a credit to the township, is fast going back for want of support, and lack of energy in the niajaaging committee.

Our school, however, is in a more prosperous condition than the library. There are between 70 and 80 pupils on the roll—too many for one master to do justice to, without over exerting himself and confining the scholars too much. However, I notice that a schoolmistress is advertised for in the Government Gazette, and I trust that this much-needed want will soon be filled up. A most substantial stone residence has, just been completed for the schoolmaster, at a cost of £250. The amount appears to be reasonable : it is lathed and plastered, and it is well finished throughout. Pity, however, to see a fine bnilding go up and a strong fence around it go down for want of care. Some three years ago, a strong paling fence was put round the grounds, at a cost of £IOO. I noticed, some months ago, that several of the posts were getting rather loose, and I drew the attention of an interested party to that fact; but, as "not his business," or "no authority." And the consequence ia, the late gales and rains have well nigh brought it to the ground, and it now looks like what I would call a " snake fence," so staggery is it. In fact, for all the world it puts me in mind of four drunken fellows sea-sawing arm-in-arm along the street—surging together occasionally, and then spreading out with a swing, but always (from a sort of instinct, T suppose) clinging together like grim death, knowing full well that if they part company down they go. So it is with the fence : should it part at the corners, it will ceriainly go to grass. However, it may be that the authorities are not altogether to blame either: it is just possible that they have, been trusting that the double row of quicks which was planted inside the fence last season would be quite tall and well-grown by this time, and consequently gave no heed to the wooden fenoe. But, sad to say, like the tares amongst the wheat, the weeds were allowed to grow and grow, till they have apparently choked the quicks, for they now seem all dead.

foresters' ball and supper. The anniversary ball and supper of Our Foresters took place in the Royal Mail Hotel on Thursday evening. It was a great success. Covers were laid for some 40 gentlemen, and every spare seat seemed to be occupied, barely leaving elbow-room. A most substantial supper was provided by mine Host Mason, and was done ample justice to by Foresters and their friends. The cloth being removed, several toasts were given and ably responded to, and the toasting would (in fact, s/iould, a good many say) have continued for some time longer, only several lovers of the dance made off for their fair partners before the orthodox,time allowed to gentlemen to discuss their wine and congenial topics after a hearty supper had expired. The ladies soon made their appearance, and a general adjournment to the ball-room was the result. Dancing was kept up till the* small hours, everyone going home right well pleased at the successful manner in which the whole affair had gone off.