ALEXANDRA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2094, 8 December 1885, Page 2

ALEXANDRA.

THE NATI\ X TOLL BARS. In reference to the e\tortions by way of tolls, etc., in the King Country, some of them at least, when the unjustness of so doing is pointed out, are inclined to act fairly. A native who is connected with having established a- toll gate across a creek at Hikurangai canio to me on tho matter. He says that they put up tho bridge themselves and that if the Government or any ono else will pay them £6 they will put up a good bridge which shall bo free. Mr OBrien, the contractor, informs mo that the new bridge required as some 40 feet in length, and that the sum asked is reasonable enough. At present tho nati > - es charge Is por head for crossing. Mr OBrien considers the charge should not be more than (id. He says he is often delayed a considerable time, before any one comes to open tho rate. A SHINin AT KOPUA. There has been double at Kopua betvyeen the defendant, W. Hughes, and the bailiffs or policemen connected with the Whatiwhatihoo Police Couit. It arose out of the case I mentioned last week, between the two brothers Hughes as to the ownership of a horse. W. Hughes lost the case and £4; costs were given against him. As he had not paid up, seven policemen went to his place to set/c property for the amount. Hughes met them at his gate and objected to their proceedings. In the scufHo his shirt was torn. He has since paid the £4, but another charge was nude for the seven p.ilicemeu, and I am infoimcd that Mr Hughe^ now intends to bung a charge of assault against the so called policeman, to test the legality of the proceedings at our next Resident Magistrate's Court at Alexandra. THE PROSPECTING; ASSOCIAriON'. I am often ask«-d what are tho Pirongia Prospecting Association doing. I really cannot say, but the other evening I was informed that a race meeting was then being held at Finch's hotel. I accordingly went in but on entering the room and enquhing what was going on, learned it was meeting of the Pnongia Prospecting Association, and was told through the chairman, Mr Neville Walker, that my preseuco was un desirable as it was a private meeting What I have to say about this is, I am glad I am not a shareholder, under the present management, or rather no management at all. As nothing as yot been done to make the association a success, and I know that that many shareholders would like to know for what they have taken sharos in the company. THE ANNUAL SPOHTb. Tho subscriptions to the usual annual sports here are coming slowly in, but no doubt there will be a numerous attendance and a pleasant holiday enjoyed as usual. The Alexandra Brass Band will appear on this occasion and I am informed the secretary has written to the Waikato Steam Navigation Company to put on a steamer for the occasion to give the down river people a chance of attending. THKTXVNKL CONTHVCT. Mr O'Bnen, the tunnel contractor, sent up another five tons of mateiialto the site of the woik on Satuiday. It must be expensive for fi eight, ho had two and a half tons in each punt with four men in each. It takes a week to do the trip a-> fa-i ah the punts can go. FIRE. There was a fire at tho camp last week, when a party of six men lost all their clothps, etc. One man had some choques and money wrapped up in a pair of stockings. Some dynamite was in the tout, mid it is thought that the explosion sent the parcel as it was picked up paitly consumed some distance fiom where the tent was pitched. Fortunately no one vvas about, all being away at a distance at woik. The fern being set on hre was the cause of tho damage. The natives aro anxious to discover who lit the Hie, as theio is a fino for so doing. — (Own Correspondent, Dec, 7).