ALEXANDRA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2475, 22 May 1888, Page 2

ALEXANDRA.

Falling off. —Business here is at a complete standstill, and complaints of the dull times universal. Storekeepers have no customers, and one hotel, a necessity for the travelling public, doing little or no business. Tho extravagant license, £40, demanded by tho Government, is out of all proportion to the trade done, so our old and respected publican, Mr Finch, is compelled to ask for an accommodation license, which it is hoped will be granted, as the closing of tho house would be a serious inconvenience to the travelling public, as well as to the farmers having business in the township.

The " Pirates."—The Theatre Royal Dramatic Company appear hero on Thursday next (the Queen's birthday), when the produce they "Pirates of Penzance." The company have been indefatigible in their exertions to make it a success, the various performers coming from long distances, often in wet weathor, to attend the rehearsals. From all we can learn the attendance will bo large as desired, and given a tine night a full house may safely be enticipated.

Tawhiao ill. —We visited Tawhiao at tho settlement on the hill above Alexandra on Thursday last, where he has removed, it being a more dry and healthy situation than Whatiwhatihoe. The old gentleman was lying in his whare quite unablo to move, and complained of great pains in hia limbs (rheumatism apparently.) If the Government intend to do anything for him, it should be done at once to'make him a little more comfortable, as he looks very ill, and his surroundings worse than the poorest labourer in the country. He has answered the Native Minister's proposals, but was reticent on the subject of the contents of his letter.

The Rabbit Fiioskcutions. — I The late rabbit prosecutions have quite aroused our settlers, and I am informed a public meeting will shortly be held on the rabbit question. It is thought that the Government might make some concessions to those engaged in bunny's extermination. Quite a number of persons are employed in killing them for the Auckland market as well as the owners of property. It is thought that if free transit to town were given to the dead rabbits they would soon become scarce. As it is, however, no one complains, as they are not near so numerous as formerly, and are welcome to the pots of many a poor family.