ALEXANDRA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 343, 1 April 1874, Page 3

ALEXANDRA.

(From mtf own Correspondent.) In mining matters there is nothing new or strange to report ; the miners generally are plodding along with rather indifferent success. I would gladly chronicle the finding of rich patches or enormous nuggets, but if the miners persist in leaving them undiscovered I cannot be held responsible for their obstinacy. The resignation of Mr. C. Morris as Municipal councillor for the Cluthaward, caused a fresh election on the 14th inst. Mr. John MacKersy being the only candidate nominated was declared duly elected. Very little interest was felt in the election, as the successful candidate would only hold office for about four months. Messrs. Yeend and Pope have commenced running their new line of coaches in opposition to Cobb and Co., and appear to obtain a fair share of patronage. Whether there is sufficient traffic to support the two lines is a question for the consideration of the coach proprietors, but in any case the public will reap the benefit of the low fares. Circumstances over which I nad no control (that is a nice phrase, and like charity covers a multitude of sins) prevented me from sending a report of the Bald Hill Flat Races in time for your last issue. I regret this the more because I am sufficiently heterdox to believe that race meetings of thiß description furnish a stronger plea for horse racing, and are more deserving of support than race meetings of a good deal more pretensions. The races are nearly always run honestly, and the horses being for the most part the property of the farmers or miners in the locality, the prospect of winning a prize — to say nothing of the honour and glory of beating one of your particular friends who perhaps has been blowing rather too loud about the qualities of his nag — induces the owners of likely mares to breed a better class of hacks than they would otherwise do. The races took place on St. Patrick's Day and were very successful, the attendance being good and the different events well contested, and as the Flat is favourably situated for holding a race meeting, being free from the clouds of dust that mar one s enjoyment of most of the country races, there is nothing to prevent the Bald Hill Flat races becoming one of the favourite meetings in the district. I append an account of the various races. Maiden Plate of £10. One mile. J. Crossan's Maid of Athens, 3 years ' 1 J. M'Luskey's Dungarven Lass, 3 years 2 J. Bailey's Odd Stockings aged 3 Bald Hill Flat Handicap of £15. One mile and a half. J. Bailey's Young Leamington aged 9st 41b. 1 H. Craig's Sultana, aged 9st. 101 b. 2 W. Beresford's Cressidor, aged Bst 21b 3 Hack Selling Race, one mile and a quarter. Winner to be sold for £10. P. Carroll's Judy Callaghan, 1 W. Crossan's Jenny, 2 District Handicap of £10, one mile and a quarter. J. Wilkiu's Kathleen, 4 years Bst 81b 1 J. Crossau's Maid of Athens, 3 years 7st 2 P. Carroll's Judy Callaghan 4 years, 7st 3 Miners' and Farmers' Purse of £7, thrfce quarter mile heats. H. Crossan's Little Nell 11 W. Beresford's Cressidor 2 2 W. Lynch's Maori 3 3 Autumn Handicap of £15, one mile and a half. J. Wilkin's Kathleen Bst 41b 1 H. Craig's Sultana 9st 2 J. Bailey's Young Leamington lOst 41b 3 Consolation Handicap of £10. one mile. Sultana 1 Four others started.