ALEXANDRA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 100, 8 January 1870, Page 5

ALEXANDRA.

(From our own Correspondent). I am sorry to have to commence this with a chapter of fatal accidents, in which no less than three lives were lost. On the 30th December, 1869, Mr. J. W. Garrett, whilst riding from Mr. Goodger'a hotel, Cromwell, to the house of an acquaintance, a few miles distant, for the purpose of getting a bed for the night, was thrown from his horse and Iroke Ms neck ; his funeral took place on Sunday last, when over forty Freemason 3 (of which craft he was a member) mustered to follow Ms remains to their last resting place. It was, I think, the largest funeral that has taken place in this district. On Monday, the 3rd inst., Thos. Giddis and Thos. Scott, who are partners in a water race at the head of Conroy'3 Gully, started to work, for the first time after the holidays ; they were working in a very narrow gully, which 13 full of large detached rocks, one of which they were trying to get out. Scott had occasion to go about 200 yards to kirn on the water, leaving Giddis in the face at work, and was not away many minutes, when on returning he found Ms mate (Giddis) crushed to death by a large rock wMch had fallen from the face. He must have been in a stooping position at the time, as the rock was not more than five feet high altogether from the bottom. The poor fellow's head was completely crushed into atoms ; in fact no one could recognize Mm, Ms legs and arms were also broken — it was a frightful sight to behold. He was buried tMa day (4th January), when over 200, on foot, horseback, and buggies, followed Ms remains to the cemetery. He was a North of Ireland man, and one of the oldest and most respected men in the district ; he has no relatives in the colonies, but Ms father and mother are still alive in the old country. On the same day Mr. Rollesten, of Cromwell, sheep and cattle dealer, lost Ms life by falling into the Molyneux River, wMlst engaged in getting some sheep out in crossing it ; but as no one saw him fall into the river, it is more than probable that he may yet turn up ; it, however, looks very suspicious. The weather since my last, has been boisterous and wet. The Manuherikia River on the 3rd inst. was very high, but not so Mgh as the last flood by nearly six feet. Although Mr. Robertson, of the Balmoral Hotel, about three miles from here, again had a narrow escape of having his premises flooded, he managed to keep the water out by the use of sand bags and earth dams. One of the companies at Butchers Gully have made application for a site for machinery, also for water to drive an overshot water wheel. Another of the companies in the same place have succeeded in reaching the reef, and, I am informed, have got a very good prospect. The Ovens Water Race expect to complete their repairs in a few days, when they will resume work on the Molyneux. The Newcastle Coalpit will also resarne work when tMs company's water is running home through their race — they are at present swamped out' for want of water to drive their macMnery to keep the pic dry, consequently we are on - short allowance of fireing at present. The jManuherikia Race Co. will not complete their repairs for at least ten days. The flood on Monday carried away seven boxes and ripples from their claim on the west bank of the Manuherikia, wMch they value at £70. However their company consider themselves the gainers by the flood, m the tailings are carried away clear of their tail-race, wMch is a great boon i,o to them. The Manor Burn Water Race, which takes its rise out of the Manuherikia River about four miles above Messrs. Campbell and Low "a station, is completely filled in for n, p-eat distance at the head, owing to the flood causing the tailings to travel from v"h ->'■>: they are deposited into the Mann he .i-.ri River from Messrs. Blackwali in A C .>.'*: claim. Also the whole of the fiuming in the gully behind Mr. Loir's h ;n=-o is completely swept away ; in fact I he.M % ir rumoured that the race will nsr.vr cs^r repaired. It has been an unlucky r>,e-> from the first, and cost in consti-ic^a, more money than any race in the -iislviot. This party also lost the whole of theli. plant from their claim on the east baur of the Manuherikia River, agre.*t .>ortion of wMch they placed new on the Jaim not long since. The reason that so much plant waT lost was that .the floo'\ Uok place in the night.