ALEXANDRA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 128, 21 July 1870, Page 5

ALEXANDRA.

(From our own Correspondent.) The weather for the last ten days has been fine, but the river is falling but slowly. The dredges and bank claims expect to be able to make a start again about the beginning of next week ; that is if the river continues falling. The water races are &U in full work, with a plentiful supply of water, but they have all suffered more or less damage by the late floods. The Ovens and Manuherikia Water Race Companys intend sinking for the main bottom this season, and I have no doubt will be rewarded for so doing. It is the general opinion here that the flat between Alexandra and Clyde is highly auriferous, and in the course of time will be all worked. At Butchers and Conroys Gullies the tail-races have been filled up several times lately, and as yet are not in working order — in fact every one in the district has suffered more or less. Our mails lately have been very irregular, owing to the bad state of the roads — in fact they are two, three, and sometimes four days behind their time ; but the mail via Tuapeka is generally up to time. It is a great mistake in the Government not placing a sufficient sum of money on the estimates to make one really good road to this £foldfield instead of small sums for three differ en t ones. I trust the new council, when elected, will take a different view of matters. The only thing that is creating any stir at present is the municipal elections. There are two candidates for the mayorBhip at Alexandra ; the first in the field is our auctioneer, Mr. J. 0. Chappie ; the second, Mr. William Theyers, storekeeper and brewer. At Clyde, Mr. Hazlet is the only one in the field as yet. At Cromwell, Mr. Goodger and Mr. Smythem will contest the election. I shall refrain from saying anything about respective candidates, as this will appear before the elections are over. Not that I think anything I may say would influence any voter, but by silence I am sure to give no offence. The School Committee here have succeeded in getting a schoolmistress appointed. She commenced her duties yesterday, and I trust she will give satisfaction. On the 4th July a soiree was given for the benefit of the school fnnds, which turned out a great success. After the tables were cleared, the chairman of the committee, in an appropriate speech, thanked the ladies and gentlemen for responding to the call made on them, and he trusted to meet them all again on the 10th of August to celebrate the teacher's annual soiree. The evening was spent in songs, readings, &c, and at half-pa3t 11 o'clock God save the Queen was sung by the whole company (about 160) in grand stile.