ALEXANDRA.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 207, 28 October 1873, Page 6

ALEXANDRA.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) October 25, 1873 Mining matters are looking healthy, and everyone is in full work. Butcher's Creek, in particular, is very lively. Forrest and party are constructing a new tail-race there, which was objected to by the Butcher's men proper, on the ground that Forrest and party were bringing foreign water into the creek. The Warden, however, gave them a grant, and they expect to be in full work in a few weeks, operating upon branch gullies running into Butcher's. At Conroy's, all the claims are in full work, but there will be no cleanings up until Christmas. Mr Kitt, at Golden Gully, is-reaping a'rich harvest, which he well deserves. M'llroy and party, at the Point, are doing exceedingly well; in fact, the same maybe said of all the claims on the west bank. On the east bank, the lessees of the Corporation race are doing very well, sluicing away the banks. The Manuherikia Co. are in full work with plenty of water, but I am unable to say with what success ; I am afraid rather indifferent. Mr Blackwell has again started the Bockside claim, and it is to be hoped he will again be successful in making it pay. The great drawback in this claim is the price paid for water. What he is paying now I do not know, but for years he paid £l2 per week. The ground was good, otherwise he could not have paid so large a sum, together with wages. I am sorry to have to record a serious accident that occurred here on Saturday last. Mr Edward Charnock, the owner of the Newcastle coal-pit, was in the act of going down the shaft, which is some sixty feet deep. He had placed his foot in the rope, and started the horse in the whim, when the rope by some means got entangled. This he immediately perceived, and spoke to the horse to turn, which it did, when the slack of the rope came away from the whim with a jerk, and Mr Charnock was thus thrown to the bottom of the shaft, landing on the planks that cover the well-hole. He was got out as quickly as possible, when it was found that his leg was broken in three places. Both doctors were sent for, who succeeded in setting the broken limb. He is now doing as well as can be expected. Some are fearful that he will be compelled to undergo the operation of amputation ; but I trust this is a mistaken opinion. In municipal matters, there is but little new, and that little not very interesting outside our own little town —further than a report that we are in debt to the tune of a | thousand; but, as a matter of course, if people will have water, it must be paid for. The gardens in arid around the town are looking quite green, owing no doubt to our having a good Avater supply, to which every one helps himself without asking permission. Nobody is found fault with but one individual, who happens to be looked upon as a black sheep because he will not fall down and worship the Alexandra wooden god, —and from what I can learn he is not likely to do so. I will say no more on this subject until I am better informed, as T like to keep within bounds. Three of the four parts composing the " Alexandra Folly" were sold by auction, and as I surmised in my last, did not roalise a tithe of the first cost. The fourth tank the j Council reserves for its own use, but whai that may be, I can't say. The Library Committee have been exertim themselves, and have succeeded in getting g grant of money from Government to enlarg< their hall, which is a step in the right direc tion. 1 see the squatters in your neighbourhooc are coming down on the owners of horses etc. Mr Glassford is doing the same a Blncks. On Friday, he sent twenty-fou head to the Clyde pound, most of them tin • i property of farmers, stud ixtleaet o, fourth o

them belonging to far nw at Tiger Hill. lam informed that the Government some eighteen months ago cancelled Mr Glausford's lease ovor a piece of country at Tiger Hill, for the use of the farmers, and gave him compensation for the same ; and that Mr Glassford has actually used this piece of country ever since, kept it stocked with sheep, anr impounded the farmers' horses for daring ' cross the boundary. No wonder that evf' man's hand (except the Governments 3 against the squatters. Further, Mr G* 3 * ford had the face to charge five shilling<P er head for driving expenses, making £ * or two shepherds for one day. Surely T G. is making a rise out of the cockatoos.