ALEXANDRA,

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 241, 12 September 1872, Page 8

ALEXANDRA,

.. (Fyotn out- own Cdrreipofydent.) . The fine weather has^ at .-last fairly set in, and we may expect that we have left the dull times behind. What with the dryness of last summer and the severity of the winter -things have stagnated indeed, and Felt by every section of the community. Thore is no doubt the heavy quantity of snow on the ranges will keep the sluices with any amount of water this incoming summer. lam quite sure that our goldfields will not suffer to the same extent from the scarcity of water as by the drought of last summer. Let us hope we will not experience its like again. Mining on the whole is improving. The Hit or Miss Claim, at Frenchmans Point, has been doing very well lately ; the same may also be said of the HalfMile Beach Claim. M'llroy and party are in full work, but as yet have not washed, but are satisfied with their prospects. The same may be said of the whole of the claims of West Bank, and also at Conroys and Butchers Gullies.. The Ovens Co, are putting in a wing dam for the purpose of testing the west side of their claim, on the Manuherikia River. One-half of this party are working in a small gully running into the Manuherikia River at the head of the claim, and have succeeded in ctriking some very rough gold ; in fact, should it run back into the flat, they may consider themselves lucky individuals. The Manuherikia Co. are in full work ; but I fear the party designated as No. 1, who are working near Insley's are doing but very little good. The lower party, or No. 2, are more fortunate, making sompthinsc over wood wages. This is, without exception, the best water race in tho distiiet; but, for some unexplained reason, it does not take tho foremost rank as a paying one. Blackwell and party, who are working on the Manuherikia River above Galloway Station, are in full work, with plenty of water, und doing well. Nicholson, at Butchers Point, is reported as doing but very little this season ; but his neighbour — Coleman — i s doing very well, and I trust he will continue to do so, for he richly deserves success, having spent two seasons in bringing water from a small branch of the Manor Burn to work his claim.

There is nothing to report relative to quartz reefs. We have been supplied with coals from the Newcastle Coal-Pit for the last 3 weeks, which fact all have hailed with delight, particularly those with families — as the rubbish from the Manuherikia Pit during the winter was something I will not attempt to describe.

In school matters here a great many tire murmuring, and I fear not without cause. lam informed there are whole families in the district none of which are attending school. The reasons given, in some instances, is inability to afford to pay the fees, which must be paid weekly. In other instances, parts of families have been withdrawn on account of the high late of fees and the high price charged for books I have heard it hinted that books can be purchased at retail stores in Alexandra at from 25 to 100 per cent, less than charged. There are other complaints which I will leave for a future occasion. There is no doubt that our first care should be the education of the young, and I would suggest that the School Committee take immediate steps in this matter. I would suggest that they instruct their Secretary to immediately write the Secretary of the Education Board, asking the price- the schoolmasters are supplied with books, &c, and then compare it with prices charged. I would next advise them to see that every child in the district was sent to school when old enough to attend ; also to reduce the fees, and, if the master's salary cannot be met with the reduced fees, I would reduce his salary. I can't see there would be any injustice done him, when all the civil service has been reduced twice since he first came to Alexandra.