ALEXANDRA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 969, 12 November 1880, Page 2

ALEXANDRA.

(FROM OUR OW.X COKRESrONPEjrT.) On Tuesday last the 9th instant the anniversary of tho Prince of Wales’ birthday was celebra'ed hero in a good and loyal manner, tho day being devoted to a cricket-match between a local Eleven, and an Eleven of Cromwell—L say eleven of the lat'cr, but itturnol out aftei the game was all over the visiting team had only ten men, hut bad the numbers been reversed the result of the game could not have been different, as it is not at all likely the one man would have made up the number short, sixty-.seven. The result of the game was what may bo termed an alarming surprise, as the local men had no idea of winning, whilst tho visitors made cock-sure of doing so, and adding ano her unit to their list of victories of the season. Though somewhat crest-fallen they took their defeat in good part, but I doubt not they will do their level heat to turn the tables at the return match. As you will have a detailed account of the match I need not enter into the particulars' of tho game. In the evening a first-class concert was giv.n in the Town Hall, which was a most unqualified success, the customary dance winding up a really good day. The brass hand, at both tho concert and dance, was a great acquisition, and the Cromwell visitors—the whole of the cricketers stayed were eloquent in their praises of it. General sympathy is expressed for Mr John Butler, of Bald-hill Flat at the sad death by drowning of bis brother, which took place on tha 2nd Instant in Lake Wakatip; very little of the particulars have as yet reached here, but from w hat I hear it appears that the deceased, who was employed at the station of the Messrs Boyes, whose homestead is situate on tho neck of the Lake just above where it empties itself into the Kawarau river, was attempting to swim across for a boat when he was drawn by the current on to the falls.

On Monday morning last between ten and eleven o’clock, a stack of oats, the property of Messrs M’Cluskcy and Lynch, farmers, Bald hill Flat, and situate on their farm close along the road, mysteriously caught fire, and hut it being noticed at the time and a good few willing hands about would have been destroyed. As it was a good lot of it was destroyed by the smoke and water that was poured on to it. I am told that the women neighbors were most energetic in carrying water, and but for them the whole stack, and in all proba bility another that was within a few yards of it would have been totally destroyed. As there was no one within fifty yards of the stack at the time it caught fire, and there lieing no possibility of a stray spark from any chimney reaching it, there is no other way of accounting for the fi'e than to Credit the mice anti a match. As the property was uuin*«red tire toes is A pretty serves* at*.

• . <^l ® re nothing very startling to chronicle about mining there being no new finds, but as I hear no complaints it muat be coneluded that all hands are profitably employed. The Company to work the' Conroy e quartz reef is not yet sufficiently advanced to make amove, the shares though slowly are surely finding purchasers. 11 is proposed to send down to Dunedin another trial crushing of stone. I think that is the wisest thing that could be dona and if the yield anyway approaches the former trial shares should then go off Swimming*y. Mr J. Bennett, one of the original shareholders, I hear is prospecting for another reef about half-a-mile from the Conroy s reef, but on the opposite of the gully—there have been from time to time very good specimens discovered in tho locality Mr Bennett is working, and it would surprise me but little to hear of him striking a good lode, and richly would ha deserve it, as a more pushing, energetic striving man there is not in the district, nor is there one who has spent more time or weney in prospecting. The currentwheel dredge- continues to payhari'lsomely, Mr M’Oueen, (Kincaid and M’Queen) iron founder and machinist, of Dunedin, was in the district during the week—this gentleman and his firm have for years past been ne otiating for the construction of a steam dledge to work the bed of the Molyn* ux. I do not k”ow whether* his late visit had anything to do with the erection of a dredge, or was in eounection with the erection of a battery fer Conroy’s reef ; he, however, visited the reef, and had a long conversation with the dredge owners—it is much to be wished that something were done towards developing what cannot but be said are paying affairs. The Roman Catholics I am informed contemplate building a new chappel here, iha old one bring found, after eighteen years service, to be too small for present needs. W hat with a ’ulta and children there are fully three him Ired in the immedia e locality—it will be patent therefore to all that a new and large building is much wanted. Since closing my letter I hear that the body of poor Butler has been found in the Kike. Sir Bnyes (Coroner) held an inquest. and a verdict of accidental death was returued.