ALEXANDRA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 315, 24 December 1873, Page 3

ALEXANDRA.

(From our own ■Correspondent.')

, December 19th. * There has been a good supply of water this season, and miners engaged at sluicing have been enabled to keep steadily at work. A good many parties in the gullies are washing up in anticipation of the Christmas holidays. The heavy rainfall in the spring suited the I dry nature of the land in this district, and the t crops are expected to turn out first-rate. Farmers are feeling rather uneasy respecting the supply of labour to gather the incoming harvest ; this district, in common with the rest of the Province suffers from a scarcity of hands. Messrs. Bastings and Turnbull passed through the township last week on their way up country. During their short stay in the town, they were interviewed by the members of the town council, and others of the inhabitants, who brought the various wants of the district under their notice. Messrs. Bastings and Turnbull assured the gentlemen who waited on them, that the matters referred to would receive the consideration of the Government. The annual examination of the Alexandra School took place on the 17th instant. There was a large attendance of parents and others interested in the school. A general feeling of satisfaction was expressed at the progress made by the scholars, many of them showing a degree of proficiency alike creditable to themselves and to their teachers. There are at present 85 scholars on the roll, and, judging from the numbers of " The Coming Race ' to be seen swarming about the neighbourhood the number of scholars will probably be indefinitely increased. In commercial affairs, I may mention that gold has fallen Is per ounce. Sovereigns are firm at 20s and rather scarce, a considerable business would be done if holders would make a slight concession in the price. I don't know why gold should decrease in value at this particular time. It may be that gold is so plentiful as to have become a perfect drug in the market ; or it may be that the banks are so disgusted at the want of appreciation shown by the public, that they have resolved to treat themselves to a compulsory Christmas box at the miners' expense. All that I know for certahvis, that the decree has gone forth, and it is the duty of the faithful to hear and obey. Of course, the miners grumble — they always do — but if they would calmly reflect on the beneficent arrangement by which the purchasers of gold possess the arbitrary power to fix its market value, the miners would be surprised at the banks being so generous as to give them the prico they do for their gold. Bismillah ! it is wonderful !