ALEXANDRA. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Waikato Times, Volume IV, Issue 189, 26 July 1873, Page 2

ALEXANDRA. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

M:\jor Mair left here by bteamer jesterday, on hit way to Tauranga, to ta.ke over the duties o) Mr Commissioner Clarke, who proceeds to Wellington to supervise the operations of the Native Department during the present session, the Hon Mr McLeans time being taken up in attending to his ministerial duties in the House. We may expect Major Mair back to Waikato in about a month or six weekt. The Government still keep up the farce of keeping a guard on th.o Alexandra bridge at night. Some unfortunate natives came down this afternoon with some maize, oatt, &c, for sale ; it was nearly dark before they had finished weighing their produce, and wishing to make some purchase! the next day, they camped alongside the river. The guard , of courißi as their orders compelled them to do, stuck these fellows up for their passes, and nearly frightened the wits out of them ; in fact the natives did not know what to do, a* they had been in the habit of getting their passes signed by Major Mair, and on enquiry found that he had gone away. After a little delay Major Te Whero came to the rescue, and obtained permission for the natives to camp near the river. Surely it is time that this silly arrangement was done away with. If there really is any danger let us have , a patrol line along the banks of the Waipa from the bridge to the junction, of the Puniu, as natives nearly always come doirn in canoes, especially just now when the roads are impa^ablp. TUreo steamers to Alexandra in one week, and all deeply laden — one of them heavily loaded both ways, surely tins •peaks well for the prosperity ol this part of the Waikato. We are very glad to notice that Mr ScherfF's new steamer will §oon be on the river ; there w ill be lots of work for her as soon as the is ready for it. Qur Highway meeting takes place to-morrow. Owing to that iniquitous clause in the Highways Act, referred to in your isme of to-day, there will be some trouble in fixing the rate unless paid valuators are appointed. It is quite unreasonable to expect that any man, or any two men, will content to bring the odium of the whole district upon themselves by levying a tax upon the industry of their fellow■ettler*. Everything natiTJ is very quiet just now. We hear that large supplies of maize are on their way down. This produce will arrive to a very good market, as we are very nearly stumped for horse-feed* The price of oats (8s per bushel) placet that article quite beyond the limits of our already over-taxed exchequer.