ALEXANDRA

Dunstan Times, Issue 924, 2 January 1880, Page 3

ALEX ANDRA

Christmas is past and gone, and facts which I will enumerate hereafter, hare given the lie to the loud mouthed blatant croakers of dud times and general depression. For many years past I have not, seen so general a contentedness amongst all classes, and I think it may now fairly be assumed that if there was cause to complain, the time is past, and that all .alike have tided over their difficulties, ami may be sai 1 to eon the fair and straight mad to fortune. The facts T alluded to were the numbers of well-dressed, cheerful looking people that attended the sports on Boxino and following day, and at the Presbyterian Auction Bazaar during the evenings ; both affairs may be characterised as successes—pure and simple—the latter especially so, and the managers of both deserve no little credit for the manner they carried them through. The criticising of fair ladies is at all times fraught with danger, at the hands cither of jealous husbands or still more jealous beaux, but a tig for their valour, I have made up my mind to say my say, and if I succeed in raising even the slightest tint of a blush of pleasure on the cheeks ot the ladies faire I shall be more than fully rewarded for all harm that may befal me. Well, ladies one and all, 1 will

not dare to breathe your names to common ears—you performed your parts nobly, an i little wo.aler to me l.iiat you drew to your feet the hundreds of willing slaves, who failing your commands to she I thei- hearts’ blood, yet poured out their golden treasures. The object of the Bazaar was to clear oil a debt on the building fund of the church, and though the exact amount realised did not reach me, I do not think I shall bo far wrong in saying it exceeded LIOO, and which is more than the debt. The resident minister (tlie Rev. Mr Lothian) I am sorry to say, through a very serious illness, W is unable to be present, however, I hear that he is now recovering, an 1 in a week or two will be again able to resume his dudes. The next successful affair was the sale by auction of Mi Samson’s effects, and a half-acre of laud which took place on the 29,h. The whole w - as sold at fair prices, the land realised L(>s, a no mean piice, and sufficient to convince people that ray opening remarks are well supported. Another evidence, if such were wanted, of the stability of the district is, a testimonial to Mr M. J Mac Giniiis. member for Earnsclcugh riding in the County Council. I will not vouch for it, but I hear that to some of the names on the list there are sums varying from fifteen guineas downwards appended. Mr M’Ginniss’s exertions on b half of this end of the County, both inside and outside of his particular riding have been commented on very favorably, and with the view of shewing the gratitude of those, in whose particular interest he has worked, the testimonial is being got up Mr M ‘Ginnis has lately disposed of his raining claim in Butcher’s gully to a party of Chinese, and it is now his intention, if fi e can possibly get a piece of land his fancy points out, to settle down. I know for certain his fancy is on Earnscleugh run in the lately surveyed block, and it is sincerely to be hoped the opening up of this block will not be delayed, or the chances are that we may lose a good resident. I would advise that instant agitation he made in this matter, as this is one of the many instances where by the delay in throwing open the land after it has been surveyed that Gist* icts lose good settlers, who not only know the district, but tho district knows them. The names of those this district has lost through the procrasti- I nation of the Waste Rau ls Board in throwng open the lands after every detail is

worked out are almost legion, and if is not desired to ald to the already long list, I can but repeat my advice to be up and stirring. The cry should be agitate, and agitate until the blocks on Cargill and An derson’s, on Earnscleugh and on Moutere runs are available to the public, and wh n they are occupied to the extent required by statute to agitate for more. I understand that in the matter of the Rabbit Trustees it was attempted to square it amongst the twelve candidates for the five offices, so as to prevent an election but the wiles of the wicked ones were frustrated, and the different offi 'es are to be filled on the voices of the people. This is as it should be, free trade and no protection, and according to the popular view the fittest man for point of honour. I see Mr W. Fraser is one of the Candidates, n<> fitter man could he chosen and it is to be hoped he will tie one of the chosen. I hear that he has arrived in the district, I but that it is with the view of contesting I this election, 1 will not say 1 would rather think it is to look after the shearing. The F irmers are quite jubilant the crops are looking sph-n led, and in a few days, the work of harvesting will commence, labour should I think he plentiful as there plenty of drummers on the war path. In mining there is really nothing to note, the few really goo 1 claims in the district maintain their character, hut rhe district is in reality losing its individuality in that respect, the only source to expect to get gold from is th- Molyueux. an i that is by dredging, but few care to invest their money in that direction. Fraser, M ‘Ken- 1 zie and party, who it will be remembered purchased the current-wheel dredge have fully made up their minds to fit up a new dredge. Mr M‘Kt.-nzie is at present in Dunedin to obtain the machinery, but on what principle it will be, is not yet known.