ALEXANDRA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 398, 3 December 1869, Page 3

ALEXANDRA.

(PROM A CORRESPONDENT.) Nov. 31

Ponie short time since tenders were advertised for the erection of a residence for the schoolmaster, and on Saturday evening last the school-committee met for tho purpose of opening those sent in, and the lowest tenderer being Mr. Ivessor, f“r the sum of £250, was accepted for tho building and completion of the structure. It has been freely spoken of by many of the parents of scholars that, since the number atten ing the School have so greatly increased—now amounting to over seventy

—that the time hail arrived when some alteration should take place, both as regards ■chool fees an I a female teacher for the girls an ! young children. It is a fact that to many parents the charge of Is. Gd. per week, together with the exorbitant price charged for books used by the scholars is altogether out of proportion to the moans of many, and is felt as a severe tax. I maintain that schoolbooks should be supplied at something like cost px-ice. Cannot you, Mr. Editor, give us a chapter on punts. They are no doubt necessary evils. In this part of the district one can scarcely go anywhere without the inevitable oil., , if we take a horse Is. Gh, an I the same to return. Talk of turnpikes 1 Kobo y was ever very partial to them ; but these iVlolyneux barges impede the [ rogress of business, anil are a heavy tax both to the miners and those engaged in business pursuits. Cminot the Government do something for us. The cost of a suspension bridge wool 1 ho trilling in comparison to the benefits which would accrue.

Quartz reefing is still progressing. Several more claims have been taken up on the Alexan ra lieef This branch of mining has a very healthy appearance. At present tho principal gainers are tho carpenters, blacksmiths, and punt-owners ; hut, with the known determiuationof our miners, assisted by the co-operation of our business men, there is little cause to fear but that a golden harvest will bo reaped by thuso who hove the pluck to carry out the good prospects obtained on this line of reef. Messrs. Halliday and party have selected asite for their machinery, and are making the necessary arrangements. Our races are to take place on Boxing-day-TJxe Stewards aro having a new comae prepared, and the programme announces that £loo will he ottered for competition.