ALEXANDRA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2203, 21 August 1886, Page 3

ALEXANDRA.

Thk weather has been greatly against all outdoor work here of late, so Mr Sage, contractor for tho erection of the bridges and culverts on the Alexandra-Kawhia road, has in consequence lost a deal of time over the works. Through some obstruction of the natives the commencement of the work was retarded for a considerable time after the contract was accepted by the Government, and ao all the fine weather was lost, and in consequence of the frightful state of the roads Mr Sage has had considerable difficulty in getting the necessary timber on the goound, and suffered a considerable loss both of time and horse flesh. Whether the Government will take this into consideration or not, and allow a reasonable compensation to the contractor, it is hard to say. In all justice, however, they hip mid do so. Business i> as dull as eter here just, now, yet notwithstanding this considerable interest is fe!t in the forthcoming football match to be played at Hamilton between Waikato and the Austialians. It is to be hopud that the railway authorities will give all an opportunity to attend by furnishing cheap trains to smt the times, as many in the district would like to attend. The Alexandra kickers played Kihikihi on Saturday, and again lost, the weather being again-»t all enjoyment. The Kihikihi men will play a return match here on Saturday next. A good selection could be made out of the two teams for representing this part of the district in the forthcoming match with the Australians, but I expect the selection committee are quite awate of this. An amusing|case has beon going on before the "\yh.it iw ha ti hoe or King native comcoinmittee lately. A native residing near the Kuiti had' a horse killed on the run there, as he thought, by an entire horse belonging to another native, which animal he seized as payment. The owner of the entire took out a summons from the committee for damages for detaining his horse. Ah the owner of the animal that was kilted had no proof how his horse was killed judgment was given against him with court expenses. The defendant however refused to pay the policeman who went up to get the horse and costs. Neithfer would he give him a feed, but ordered him off. This was contempt of court, and on the policeman making his report to the committee they sent up nine special constables to seize, the horse and bring down the contumacious defendant to answer the charge. Tho nine specials however were resisted by the defendant and five of his friends, who, when the horse was caught, one would cut the rope with a knife, while the others would drive away the horse with whips. The native, however, after some trouble was arrested and biought down to Whatiwhatihoe, where he was kept a prisoner for some days. The court decided that a strong force should be sent up and muru (seize) the property of the defendant and his friends— anything they could lay their hands on. There was no less than twentyseven volunteers for this duty, as it was decided that whatever property was brought down was to be sold by auction and equally divided amongst the enterprising specials, the court expenses of course to be first deducted. Some of the men were so anxious to be in such a good thing that they paid a £1 for the loan of a horso to join the party. They returned on Saturday last, having seized fire horses, a number of axes, spades, and other miscellaneous property, which was brought up on Sunday morning before the court for confiscation, and was decided upon, but just before the conclusion of the court Tawhiao came up, and after administering a rebuke to the offending native for his obstinacy and some disgraceful language he had been reported to have used against himself, ordered all the property to be returned to him and to go and sin no more, to the great disgust of the officials of the court and all concerned. The defendant and his friends after this at once proceeded to choose and lay aside a considerable portion of the seizure as a free gift to Tawhiao, which, however, was firmly declined. So ended the great case which has caused considerable talk amongst them this last week or so.— (Ovvu Correspondent.)