ALEXANDRA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 138, 29 September 1870, Page 6

ALEXANDRA.

(From our own Correspondent.)

Mining matters in this district are healthy. The much-talked off claim at the Half-mile Beach, belonging to Messrs. Kett and Co., is in full work, and two paddocks have already been taken off this season with satisfactory results, but owing to the lateness of the season, the company will not get over the quantity of ground they were in hopes of doing at the betrinning of tho season. Should the Molyneux, however, keep about its present level fpr other two months, I don't think

the shareholders will have much room for complaint. The Hit or Miss claim, on Frenchman's Point, have introduced trucks and tramways this season, which have proved a success — they get through four tiuns the quantity of stuff with the same quantity of hands, the only additional expense being the first outlay and horse feed. This company expect to realise more gold this season than any former one. They have applied for t'se abandoned ground of the Enterprise Company and the Frenchman's claim, and are sanguine that they will make it pay to work the ground over again on their new principle, considering it is quantity and not quality they will trust to. The bank claims, on the west side of the Molyneux above the township, are working away with a will, and with satisfactory results On the east bank of the Molyneux the Sluicing Company are in full work with plenty of water. The Manuherikia Company have started to sink for the main bottom, and have removed the whole of their plant from their claim on the Mmuherikia river on to the claim on the Molyneux. T.iis company also intend to work their claim by the means of a tramway and trucks, and I am informed that in thecourse of a week it will be in full work. I am also informed they can stand a rise in the river of about 15 feet without being swamped out. I wish them every success, as it would be a great boon to the district if they struck payable gold and made room for a large number of miners ; that is, if the great water scheme of the Government is carried out, and even without gold being obtained on the main bottom, there is room for fully 100 miners between this and Clyde if they could get water to work with. At Butcher's Point the claim of Stanbrook aud party is in full work with satisfactory results. The adjoining claim, owned by Mr. Coleman, is also in full work, but I can't ascertain what he is doing. The sluicing claims at Butchers and Conroys Gullies have a plentiful supply of water, and are all doing well. I could mention the quantity of gold obtained by one party, but by so doing should offend, so will content myself by expressing the covetous wish that I were one of the shareholders. The water-races are all running full, and I hear no complaints since the late wet weather, when the races were constantly breaking awiiy. The whole of the dredges are in full work, and although I have no startling news to chronicle of individual success, the whole of them are doing well, and should the river not play them false, they will yet have a good season.

Oa Friday last Mr. Lancaster, of the Beaumont, and Mr. Samson, of this place, ran a trotting race in harness from Clyde to Alexandra for £15 a-side. There was quite a stir in our town, almost everyone that could raise a mount was out to meet them, and, as you may imagine, would have liked to have seen our respected townsman win, but luck was against him. Lancaster's mare came in first, Mr. Samson giving up the race some time before coming in si^bfc of Alexandra. Ida, Mr. Samson's mare, was only off the grass three days before the match, and was also labouring under the disadvantage of having a very sore shoulder, but I am of opinion had she been in first-class condition, Mr. Lancaster would not have won the race.

The Dunstan spring races came off in the afternoon of the same day. The day was the finest I have ever seen a Dunstan meeting take place on, and everyone appeared to enjoy themselves to their heart's content. The racing was good, but the old complaint was general — too long between the races.

The School Committee here have been in hot water lately. At the late Municipal elections party feeling ran high, and just after the said elections, our respected townsman, Mr. James Henderson, died, he having held the appointment of Town Clerk since first the Municipality was constituted. It appears the ofliee of Town Clerk was offered to several by a portion of the Council, as I learn by the " Dunstan Times," but no one would accept but Mr. Reid, our schoolmaster, who was immediately elected pro. tern., and at the first meeting of the Council applications were solicited for the appointment. Mr. Reid, with others, offered his services, and was elected. Now, Mr. Theyers, our Mayor, and Mr. Finlay, one of our Councillors, also form two of the Alexandra School Committee. About seven days after this appointment was made, the usual monthly meeting of said committee took place, when a motion was brought down by Mr. Stanbrook, and seconded by Mr. Ryan, condemning the conduct o" Mr. Reid in this matter, as they considered he had no right to take any other appointment without resigning his present one, that of schoolmaster. I hear there were some very sarcastic remarks made in the debate on the motion, and ultimately an amendment was tabled by Mr. Finlay, and seconded by Mr. Theyers, to the effect that Mr. Reid was eligible to hold both appointments at one and the same time. The amendment was supported by Mr. Field, who implored the chairman in a very feeling way, and hoped they would view the matter in the same light as he did ; but Mr. Field was soon given to understand how the chairman intended to act. The amendment and motion having

been put, there was three for each. The chairman then had to exercise his right of giving the casting vote, which was for the motion.

The thanks of the parents of this district are due to Mr, Chappie for the interest he takes in anything appertaining to the cau.se of education, and I have no doubt some day he will be rewarded for the same.

I am sorry to state that our respected townsman Mr. James Rivers, merchant is about to leave us owing to ill health. Mr. Chappie has sold the whole of his stock-in-trade, &c, at satisfactory prices — in fact, it is a wonder to the most of us where the money comes from, for within the last month Mr. Chappie has sold drapery, books, &c, on account of Mr. James Samson of this place, for nine whole days, and a great many are still enquiring when the sale is to come off attain. Mr. Samson, when he gets cleared out, I hear, intends visiting the old country. I trust it is not the case, as I am quite sure we should miss him more than any in Alexandra.