ALEXANDRA FROM "A MOTHERS POINT OF VIEW.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 1294, 18 September 1873, Page 6

ALEXANDRA FROM "A MOTHERS POINT OF VIEW.

(To the Editor.) Sib, — In the good old times of the goldfields, strangers used, in passing through a township, to judge of its prosperity by the number of its hotels. If that is a true criterion, Alexandra must be emerging from the cloud of grumbling which has lately enveloped her, for, if we are not adding to our number, the old ones at least are putting on new faces. Mr. M'Donald, of the Criterion, is getting a new face to his hotel, with plate glass windows, which will rather astonish the tipplers ; Mr. Robertson, of the Geelong, is busy sub stituting a stone building for his old one; Mr. Samson and Messrs. Finlay and Morris are likewise erecting handsome stone premises. Tenders are called for making the road opposite Mr. Chappie's residence, and I hear the Council intend forming the road as far as the Manuherikia brewery. Should the rumor prove correct, they would be enabled to tax the brewer rather handsomely, as he owns several sections of land between the township and the brewery which he can't occupy and wont sell, but I suppose he will be mado to pay the taxes. When those improvements are completed, Broadway, as the main street is called, will be nearly a mile and a half long, which is surely a praiseworthy effort to rival its celebrated namesake. Puddle as it is, on Friday last a number of weU-dressed

ladies from the numerous hills and gullies in the neighborhood were seen promenading up and down Broadway, and, as the gentlemen curned out to look at them, and the school children had a holiday, the place looked quite animated. What the children got the holiday for I can't say — neither could they ; but I suppose it was in honor of the great Steam Dredge Co. about to be floated, in which all are to make their fortunes who are fortunate enough to secure shares in the undertaking ; but certain it is, from whatever cause, an undercurrent of hope and happiness, to. which the community has long been a stranger, is pervading all classes — even the hearts ! of the cynics are made to sing aloud for joy. Singing and dancing being the j order of the day, a concert was held in the library hall on the 4th inst., in aid of the school funds, which was a complete success. All the world and his wife were there, and as the tickets for children were one shilling, those attending school were there also. I believe over 200 were present. Great praise is due to the ladies and gentlemen who took part in the performance, especially the Misses Brunton, Finlay, and Speed, whose sweet young voices were really charming to listen to. It would be invidious to pass remarks where all entered into the spirit of their part with such zest, but certainly the gem of the evening; was sung by Mr. Austin, the " Maid of Athens " being beautifully rendered. Mr. Grindley presided at the harmonium, assisted by Mr. Vause and Mr. Allen on the violin. To those who make the human face divine their study, an unexpected treat was prepared by those children who heard instrumental music for the first time, "as most of them listened with their mouths instead of their ears, and, as those were of all sorts and sizes, the general effect was highly amusing. Th'ire was one sad drawback, to look around and see so many young girls, who in a few more years will bud into womanhood, and know, if their parents remain in the district, none of them can be taugjht that now-a-days almost necessary and at least pleasing accomplishment the piano, unless indeed, as I believe some parents contemplate doing, they remove themselves and their belongings to Clyde, where, by the good management and tact of the School Committee, those who are able and willing to give their children a . liberal education as regards music have the option of so doing ; but the tact and forethonghtof the business men there have always been proverbial, and have enabled them with only a few residents and resources of their own, notwithstanding the tall talk of Alexandra and Cromwell, not only merely to hold their own, but to be the chief township in the northern gotdfields ; but those reflections were only spontaneous, and were quickly dispelled by a glance at the many happy faces around, and especially at those of the School Committee. Was it the power of music, which ancient mythology asserted transformed the stones ; was it this splendid musical treat given b) the local artists to the inhabitants that so transformed them as to make them {almost lose their identity, turning the plain men into handsome ones, and the handsome ones into Apolpos ? Alas, lam afraid not, but rather the very material fact that the proceeds of the entertainment would enable them to pay for the firstclass cooking stove they had lately purchased foi the schoolmistress' private residence. (Thanks, " Father," for giving me another opportunity of appearing in print.) — I am, &c, A Mother.