ALEXANDRA

Dunstan Times, Issue 908, 12 September 1879, Page 3

ALEXANDRA

(from our own corhe.spondf.nt.) Besides causing some trifling delay, the flood in the Molyneux referred to in your last week’s paper did not interfere with the progress of the bridge works. You rather overreached themark when you said the water rose to a height of some 20 feet. The fact is the rise was only some 8 or 9 feet, ami the only extra work it entailed Was the rising and strengthening of the bank of the dam that protects the foundation of the eastern pier. This occupied the better part of two days, and is the delay I refer to. The work of building this pier Is being pushed ahead with great spirit. Above the concrete floo • or base there are already eight tiers of stone laid, varying in thickness from 14 to 20 inches, and before the week’s end another tier it is expected will be added, which will make the total height about 13 feet, and about two feet above the present level of the river. All difficulty is now at an end, and let the river rise ever so high, aud a little higher, it will but little matter, as there is plenty of woik far and away above where the water may he expected to reach. In conn*B°n with the pier and approaches on the T western side, the foundation for this is already excavated, and some few tiers of breast stones laid , Altogether great progress is made, reflecting credit alike on both master and men, as all must have put their right foot foremost to get on bo well. All the work so far completed is of a most substantial character, the which can be readily imagine 1 when it is understood that hut few of the stones are less than a ton in weight, whilst some are hetween three and four tons, the whole firmly bedded in cement. Mr Drummy. one of the contractors, supervises the work for himself and partners, and Mr Jas. Ritchie is supervisor for the County authorities, who are the paymasters. A rather amusing episode took place on Monday last amongst the stonecutters, quarrymeu, and labourers employed oq tfce works—nothing more nor less than a stride, if you please, and this

I forsooth because a Chinaman was amongst their number. The exact facts of the case «>i<l nob.reach in«, and perhaps thereat cause of the fanatic step will never be known ; but from what I can glean it appeal's that on Saturday last, which was pay day, Mr Drumrny discharged some four or five Europeans, retaining in his employ a Chinaman. This was a tore point, but not enough to cause those retained to throw up their work. During the following Monday morning, however, the Chinaman, who was engaged at the winch of the crane, whilst lowering a heavy mass of stone through some misunderstanding let eo the handle, nearly causing an accident And again during the same morning he fired off a blast without giving fair warning. Th>s was more than enough, and in a very summary way Mr Drumrny was told that if he did not discharge the hated heathen, one and all would stop work. With but little or no ado about the matter. Mr Drumrny said those whi were not satisfied could go up to the office and get their cheques. One and all accepted the invitation, and there the matter rests. Some dozen or fifteen han-’s are thrown out of employment, and the contractors will have to get a fresh gang together. Now whom to blame for this foolish state of affairs it is difficult to say. hut all sensible men must agree with me that Mr Drumrny acted perfectly right in at once checking anything approaching insubordition, and it is to be hoped the lesson taught will have its proper effect. Ino more agree with one side than with the other, as both were hasty, but I hold and maintain that the peremptory demand for the dismissal of the one was most properly met by the instant dismissal of all who made it. In a stupendous work of this kind on which the men were engaged, involving an expenditure of from 1.16,000 to 1-20,010, without firmness and decision on the part of the contractors the result could have been none other than chaos and confusion.

The purchasers of the Salamander dredge (which it will be remembered sunk at her moo iugs) have lieen unable to raise her, hut all the gearing and top hamper has lieen taken off her, and I understand that a new boat, is to be built and fitted with the old machinery. Every confidence is felt that the venture will repay all outlay, and this is certainly to be desired, as the district can ill afford the loss of any producing machine.

The Jockey Club has issued a p v ngramme for a Spring Meeting, to take place in October, and if but the owners of horses come forward with the same spirit as the public with their money to procure a day’s rational sport, it should he a success. The hall on Friday evening next is the all engrossing topic of conversation with the lovers of a good dance, and in newspaper parlance such a phalanx of youth and beauty will gather as will make the heart glad. Every preparation is being made to re der it a success, aud I shall hope to see a fair muster of your townspeople present.