ALEXANDRA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 299, 17 January 1868, Page 3

ALEXANDRA.

(FltOU OUR OWX COKItESFOXDEXT*) Alexandra, Jan. 14. On Sunday night last, between 10 and 11 o'clock, his Honor the Superintendent, accompanied by Mr. George Duncan, Secretary for Land ami Works, unexpectedly made his appearance here, and a most cor ial greeting was accorded to him by the few people who were about at the time. In answer to questions his Honor said that he should have to leave early on the following morning. His tour though in an official capacity would necessarily be hurried, consequent on the vast amount of work that demanded his special attention before the meeting of the Provincial Council, which would take place at an early date. Notwithstanding the lateness of the hour a number of scouts were at once sent through the district to inform the miners and others of his Honor's arrival, and at an early hour the next morning the Superintendent was .about and dilligently engaged in gleaning information on topics of public interest. At about 8 a.m. the township looked quite gay in bunting, and numbers of people were pouring in from all quarters. His Honor proceeded to the Criterion Hotel, where he received a deputation from the Town Council find citizens. The Mayor (It. Finlay, Esq.) headed the deputation, and welcomed his Honor to Alexandra. A general conversation then ensued, and a number of questions were asked and replied tu by his Honor, and generally with sat sfaction. On the question of commonage he | said hat the Government were in commuj nication with Messrs. Greg« and Turubull I and with Mr. M'Morran. Respecting telegraphic communication, a station would be j established as soon as the iiecr.sssry apra- | ratus was in the bands of the Government. The deputation thanked his Honor, and withdrew. A d-.'pntation from tho Alexandra Progress Committe was next introduced. The subjects toucho' noon roJa'cd chiefly to the management of th; goldiieids and the throwilg open of the land for bona-fide settlers. .Mr. K. Jones informed his Hnno-that memorials had already been forwarded to the Government oil these matters. The Superintendent said that, duriVig the coming Session a committee would be appointed to consider those and other petitions. He had come to tin conclusion, from what little ho had seen and heard on his tour, that it would be desirable to give that committee power to call witnesses from among the miners, and take evidence as to what was actually required. These witnesses would, he thought, greatly assist the committee in their deliberations. Mr. Edmund Jones said that if facilities were not offered for settlement in a very short time there would be none but Chinese and officials on the goldlields. His Honor said he could plainly see that the time had arrived for decisive action in the matter, and he would render every assistance in his power towards the settlement of the question. Mr. It. Stuart presented a petition, signed by one hundred and fifty miners, in fovor of a Warden at Alexandra. His Honor said no answer could be given by him. The Commission appointed to report on the goldfields had commenced their duties, and the settlement of the question would aest entirely on their report. In reply to a question as to whether a site would be granted for a Temperance Hall, his Honor advised a memorial to the Government. The deputation thanked his Honor and withdrew. After partaking of some refreshment his Honor proceeded to Clyde. Tho dredge Alexandra, which broke away from her moorings during the holiday week, has been discovered some mile 3 below the Fourteen-mile Beach, tightly wedged between two rocks, and bottom-upwards. The proprietors are endeavoring to extricate her, but the general impression is that they will not succeed. Mining affairs on the banks of the Molyneux are nearly at a stand-still, on account of the river being high. At Butaher's, Conroy's, and the neighboring gullies opperationa are being carried on on a most extensive scale, and when some tail races now in course of construction are finished a steady supply of gold will be produced.