ALEXANDRA.

Cromwell Argus, Volume 1, Issue 50, 26 October 1870, Page 5

ALEXANDRA.

(From a Correspondent.) October 17, 1870. The weather lately has been very windy, with any quantity of dust, which mikes everyone feel very disagreeable. We are very much in want of rain for the gardens, and the agriculturist is also in much need of it. There is nothing particular to report in mining matters, further than that Mr Drliaiiuy (who belonged to the first company engaged in turning the Mauuherikia river in 18153, and who subsequently brought in the Mauuherikia Waterrace, but sold out of it some three years since, owing to some disagreement among the partners) has returned from the West Coast with some invention for raising water from the Molyneux river on to its banks for sluicing purposes. 1 trust the invention will prove a success, as it would be a great boon not only to this district, but to the whole province. It is to be hoped that the general public will rally round Mr Drumtny. and assist him to test his invention. 1 hear it is the intention of some persons interested in water-rights to throw cold water on the affair, probably because they think if it is successful it will tend to depreciate the value of their property. Thi3 I consider is an extremely narrow minded view of the alfair. There is not the slightest doubt that there is work for ten times the quantity of water we have at present on our river banks, and if Mr Drnmmy has succeeded in inventing machinery that will supply that desideratum, the thanks of the whole community are due to him. lam not aware whether he is in a position to test his invention himself, but if he is not, I think it behoves the public and also the Government to lend him a helping hand ; and this I have no doubt they will do.

The principal topic that lias been agitating the public mind thi3 last week is a memorial (having its origin at Clyde) praying the Government to build the Oaol and Court-house for the Northern GoldfieUls at Clyde instead of at Cromwell. Mr Stanbrook is canvassing tho district for signatures, and has, I believe, succeeded in getting most of the miners to sign the document; but tho business men, witto but few exceptions, refused to sign, on the ground that they do not consider Clyde has any claim to have tho Gaol and Court-house built there—Clyde having no mining population whatever. They point to the report of she Goldfields Commission, whose return of miners foi Clyde was nil ; and they also consider that these buildings should be erected in tho midst of the largest centre of population, which is either Cromwell or Alexandra. I believe the Clyde Council some time since wrote asking the Alexandra Council's influence in this matter, which was refused. There is ono thing certain—that Clyde would do but little towards assisting Aloxandra in anything, and the feeling is about thb same on the other side. There are several that have signed the petition who are now very sorry for having done so, a fact which, in my opinion, does not speak very highly for some poople at Alexandra.