ALEXANDRA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 223, 9 May 1872, Page 8

ALEXANDRA.

(Fi'cm our Own Cprrespo-ndent.)' Since my last, nothing very startling has taken place in mining, The Ovens Co. have succeeded [in clearing up their third paddock, and although it is not so rich as they anticipated, still, it shows that their claim is a good payable oue, say £Q per week per man, so the shareholders should not complain. The claim near the Brewery, owred by the lower party in the Manuherika llacc, is paying' very good wages ; and ' they have plenty ground before them of the game quality j the upper party in the same race, near Ihsley's, I am assured is paying very well, although some of the shareholders pull long faces waen asked about it, The Halfmile Beach claim, and the Hit or Miss are ready for a "start as soon as the Molyneux will be good enough to fa 1 1 another 18 inches. I have nothing new from Butchers or Co»roys G-uHies y but have to report all the claims in full work with a plentiful supply of water, . Several of the dredges have started workybut none as yet are "getting any of the precious metal, with the exception of the " .Galatea," the shareholders of which are making £10 per week. There is not one of the original shareholders in hor, the whole of them having sold out at prices ranging from £15 to £18- sterling. The whole of the, new proprietors are well plejped with their purchase, Conroys Eeef is still idle and likely to continue so, if no new blood is infused into the Company. Since. I last « advised you, the Butchers Reef- hns been idle for want of water to drivo . the wheel ; at the present time the Company are in full work,, grassing* some very good Btone. The Chinamen are still doincr very well on the upper ami lower Manor Burn Flat, and are increasing in niunberjs. storekeepers are vying • with each other to get the custom of the " heathen." I am credibly informed that some stores are actually

selling their goods .at less than cost price to Ohinaman, and to make up, I suppose they stick it on the Europeans. If not, I am quite sure some one will have to go short some day. It is really amusing to see the Chinese wandering from store to store pricing goods, and to see Mr. .Storekeeper at his door, watching them as a cat does a mouse. I thiuk it a great shame that the storekeepers have not one price for everyone that may patronise them. (I could a tale unfold, but will refrain for the* present.) There have been a great many complaints made lately, anent the state of the road between the town and Butchers G-ully, by the coach driver and travellers. There is no doubt that this piece of road is a disgrace to the province, or perhaps, I should have said to the Government. There is one thing very certain, that unless something is done very shortly, the coach will cease to run between Lawrence and this place, which would be much to be deplored. Our member, Mr. Shepherd, has promised to try to get a grant of money for the repair of this road. I trust he will succeed in so laudable an object. . Our local institutions are progressing favourably. The Library Committee, I hear, have ordered £30 worth pf books, and they have the money Hi their credit to pay for them, which is certainly very creditable. . I have heard but little of the School Committee ' since they took office ; but I believe school matters are in a satirfactory state, with the exception of the school building, which requires to be enlarged. Several • applications have been made to "the Education Board for a sum of money for that purpose, which that body puts off from time to time to time without giving any definite answer. The' children attending the school number something over 80. The more ad vanced classes are straggling very hard to obtain pi'izes at the next examination. Some of them complain tlmt the schoolmaster has got favorites, and gives those every opportnnity of getting to the top of the class, which is a state of things to be regretted, if true. I am of opinion that the Education Board should not allow any one schoolmaster to remain in one school over 3 years. Our present' master has been here 5 years, since which time he has had a great deal of unpleasant correspondence with the Committee, which has no doubt improved his antiquated notions. - For the last 3 weeks we have enjoyed the ministrations of the Rev. Mr. Blake, Presbyterian minister, who has managed to endear himself to nearly the whole of the inhabitants in a very short space* of time. I believe it is the intention of the Presbyterians to give him a call, which I heartily hope they will, do. I am sorry to say that, since the Rev. Mr. Ross's departure from here, nearly, the whole of the Presbyterians denied, themselves the privilege of attending public worship, although the Rev. Mr. Jones officiated regularly at Alexandra (but then he belonged to the Church of England.) I believe there are but a few of that denomination here, and the rev. gentleman, finding that his ministrations were not appreciated, betook himself to pastures ne>w. • There is nothing in municipal matters, with the exseption of the Council having levied a Is rate this year, which a great I many have a decided objection to pay. In fact, about a fortnight since some of the ratepayers talked of calling, a public meeting to discuss the subject. It has since leaked out that it is the intention of the Council to procure pipes for bringing water into the town, which has had the effect of quieting those who object to fork out the ready. There is no doubt that one of the greatest boons that any town can enjoy is a good water supply, andl trust before long Alexandra will enjoy it. T believe the reason why. our Mayor, is not attending the Municipal Conference in Dunedin is that, the Council refuses to spend the money of the ratepayers in any other way than bringing water into the town. lam fully persuaded that the Government will not concede, to the Municipal Councils if they' do not reap some advantage by doing so. I am further •persuaded they will endeavour to saddle the different Councils with the maintenance of all the^public roads in "their respective districts, outside the municipalities ; and it would be better to apply at head quarters at once, and Endeavour to get Otago declared into counties — if I wanted to borrow £10 I should not ask a person I knew had not got it. On Wednesday last Alexandra presented a very lively appearance, every house flying their bunting to celebrate, the marriage of one of oar oldest inhabitants, Mr. Joseph Roberts, who, on that day, was joined in holy wedlock to a iVliss Darling, bythe Rev. Mr. Jones. The ceremony took place in the' schoolroom, and was attended hy the whole of the school ohildren. May they always be as h lppy as on that particular day.

Tapioca paper- is How being largely prepared both in England .and the Uniied States, and is found uaefnl for copying photographs by artificial lig'vf. Paper manufactured from oat husks is one of the latest novelties in America. An electro magnet has been lately constructed for the Stovens 1 Institute of Technology. New Yqrk, which is truly American u> its dimensions and capabilities • it " lifts > no- less than 1600 lbs., and will weigh fifty tans,