ALEXANDRA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 249, 7 November 1872, Page 8

ALEXANDRA.

"(From our oiM) Correspondent.) Mining matters Ai} this district are steadily progressing. . The only party that has been •unfortunate, since 1 hist wrote you- is the "© yens ,Co. — its claim ion the Mariviljerikia River 1 having proved a* duffe.V f; Tins party, is now in full work on the banks of the Molyneux, iy'lt-h every prospect of making good wages. I heartily wish it success, as it has had a long spell of ill luck. The Manuherikia Co. is steadily at work with better prospects than of late. . The Rock Side claim, on the Manuherikia Rivev;, is, hear, turning out , well. Tljfe owners are at present occupied washingup.

The claims at Conroys and Butchers Gullies are in full work, with a plentiful supply of water. The same, may be said of the r chums on the west banly of the Molyneux. A new claim was last week taken up by MODavitt and party, a little below the Molyneux Ferry ; but I am nob aware what prospects wore obtained. M'l-lroy and party have •completed their cleaning up; but I have "not heard the result,, but I jim informed their face of dirt prospects well. Their tail race has taken nearly 12 months to construct, so they will require" something good to remunerate them. for their trouble." Our qimrb? reefs are still idle j and I hear no rumours of their again starting- ; work. It is a great pity to see machinery like that on the Couroys' reef Jying idle. I took a -stroll to this reef one day last week, and on my way called on Mr. Oliver, of .Co mo Villa, .who gave me a hearty welcome. and kindly showed jne O7er. b^s, grounds. He has about 0 acres enclosed, a great portion ,of which is plaiitfid wjth fruit and ornamental trees, vines, &o. The fruit trees are loaded down. Apricots are very forward? being nearly as large as jjmall hen eggs. Mr-. Oliver informed vie that lie gathered a dish of green peas a week since, and there was another dish on the hulls fit for gathering. This is the first peas I have seen in the district. Outside the garden is a gi-ass paddock, .securely fencedjin which -are a string- of large reservoirs (kept lull by .the water race), with small .islands, in the .centre, on "which are "planted all sorts of .ornamental trees. •, This, is the prettiest private residence in. the district, 'and its appearance will improve every year. T wish we .had a fe\y others in the district who would - take, the same delight in improving their properties. There is at last some prospect of a t floor mill being erecced in this distinct. ■It is_very much needed,. and I trait phe movement will not fall through. lam - jstvongly of qpiiiion that at the first meeting of shareholders there will be a • great diyersit) •of opinion as regards . the site for the mill, and that, if it does fail, it- wil} he on the point of the site. .In your last issue ig a letter from" an •' A.nxious ,MQtheV," i 'Jan. which I am • taken to task anent. the price charged for books at the Alexandra school: -1.think, if "Anxigus. Mother y peruses " my communication in a fixture I ' issue carefully, she will find 'we have about . agreed on the matter. There is -a ,talk jhereJagjongst a select; few- to the effect

* tbjit.it§ a great shame for "your own" - - (whoever .he may be) .to run -down Mr. ' Reid, the school master.— .'-Now I "must most distinetjy'deny tha^Thave Vritten,'Dne word about 'lilr^"^eid .'personally.' : What I Ijtave tried to dojs'to oppose a _ system, that I consider, to begotten. As I .have written so fully on the subject ' •- -in previous letters, I shall content myself by allowing the matter to work its pwn cure, and I sincerely trust it will 4° *1° speedily.