ALEXANDRA DISTRICT MINERS' ASSOCIATION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 263, 13 February 1873, Page 6

ALEXANDRA DISTRICT MINERS' ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the above Association, convened at the request of a number of the members, was held at Ryan's Bendigo Hotel, Alexandra, on the 6th inst., for the purpose of taking into consideration the establishment of measures to prevent the alienation of auriferous land on Bald Hill Flat. The President, Mr. J. Drummy, in opening the proceedings, forcibly pointed out the evil that would inevitably result were lands in Bald Hill Flat thrown open for sale or lease. Such a course would not only lock up a quantity of auriferous ground, but would block up outlets for tail races to other gold-bearing ground. Mr W. F. Forrest moved that the Secretary be instructed to communicate with His Honor the Superintendent and the Waste Lands Board, requesting the institution of an enquiry as to the auriferous nature " of Bald Hill Flafj» and far the purpose of reserving for." "sale or. lease, any lands %bich might be reduired for niining..

•/ , The motion was * seconded by Mr. Noble and carried. Qn tho motion of Mr. Sims, seconded by Mr. Dewar, it was resolved that the Committee should con. sider the Qtagq Waste Lands Act, 1872. Messrs J. Mackersey and J. Dewar, were elected member of the Committee. ; Mr. Sims moved that this meeting deems it highly,; necessary to get the names of all qualified persons on the Electoral Roll, and take immediate steps for doing so. This was seconded by Mr. Noble and carried unanimously. The meeting-then adjourned.

A Distressing Position. — " A lady whose letter is published in the " Times' ' gives an interesting, though somewhat sensational, account of an accident in the Mont Cenis tunnel on the 6th October. The French train was just in the centre, when it ran into a goods train — which had, we presume, been 3 delayed by overloading, the amount of > goods traffic been amazing — the engine burst, temporarily destroying the ventilation of the tunnel, and 'several' passengers were killed. The remainder were detained for five hours without light, and with insufficient air, and in momentary expectation of injury from engines sent for their l'elief, and this expectation was shared by the officials. Ihe train was at last extricated, and the accident, of course, was no worse than any other tunnel accident ; but so deeply had the imagination of the passengers been struck by the horror of being crushed in the centre of the earth, as it were, that when they arrived again at Modaine, women fainted, men wept, and many of both sexes were too prostrated to walk, and will not recover for months. As it chanced, the present writer passed through the tunnel ex actly four hours before the accident. The distance was traversed in 21 minutes, and so perfect was the absence of smoke or smell that the windows were never closed." It is understood that the Westland Racing Club have positively determined to hold a race meeting at Easter, at Hokitika, on the new race-course, and there is every reason to expect that it will prove successful. The Club have gone to considerable expense in clearing and levelling the ground, consequently they will not be able to give a large amount in prizes, probably not more than £500, but that sum will no doubt suffice to attract some good horses. The " Canterbury Times" s-iys :—: — " It is becoming every day more evident that long -woolled sheep will-by and-by displace the merinos in a considerable, 'portion of this and the neighbouring Province of Otago, and several men entitled to be heard on such a subject are of opinion that ultimately New Zealand will have a distinct breed of its own, combining the qualities of all the most distinctive varieties. Whether this should be the case or not, it is clear that long-wools are rapidly gaining in the estimation of stockowners and farmers, and that increased attention is paid to breeding. Large sums are paid for selected rams and ewes of the best strains, and if the same spirit of judicious enterprise continues, Canterbury will soon possess flocks of this class unsurpassed in any part of the Southern hemisphere. John Smith — plain John Smith — is not very high sounding ; it does not suggest aristocracy ; it is not the name of any hero in die-away novels ; and yet it is good, strong, and honest. Transferred to other languages, it seems to climb the ladder of respecta bility. Taus in Latin it is Johannes Smithus ; the Italian smooths it off into Giovanni Smithi ; the Spaniards render it Juan Smithus ; the Dutchman adopts it as Hans Schmidt ; the French flatten it out into Jean Smeet ; and the Russian sneezes and barks Jonzoff Smittowski. When John Smith 'gets into the tea trade in Canton, he becomes Jovan Shimmit ; if be clambers about Moun the Icelanders say he is Johne Smithson ; if he trades among the Tuscaroras he becomes Ton Qa Smittia; in Poland he is known as Ivan Schmititiweiski ; should he wander among the Welsh mountains, they talk of Jihon Schmidd ; when he goes -to' Mexico he is booked as Jontli F'Smitti ; if of classic turn he lingers among Greek ruins, he turn to lon Smikton ; and in Turkey he is utterly disguised as Yoe Self. Here is a good American epitaph :—: — " Here lies Jane Smith, wife of Thomas Smith, marble cutter. This monument was erected by her husband as a tribute to her memory and a specimen of his work. Monuments of the same style, 250 dols." DR. BRIGHT'S PHOSPHODYNE.— Multitudes of people are hopelessly suffering from Debility, Nervous and Liver complaints, Depression cf Spirits, Delusions, Unfitness for Business or Study, Failure of Hearing, Sight and Memory, Lassitude, Want of Power, &c, whose case admit of a dermenant cure by the new remedy PHOSPHODYNE. (Ozonic Oxygen), which at once allays all irritation and excitement, imparts new energy and life to the enfeebled constitution, and readily cures every stage of these hitherto incurable and distressing maladies. Sold by all Chemists and Storekeepers throughout the Colonies, from whom, Pamphlets containing testimonials may be obtained. CAUTION.— Be particular to ask for Dr. Blight's Phosphodyne as imitations are Abroad, and avoid purchasing single bottles, the genuine article 'being sold, in cases only^ i ■-.._,-■-