ALEXANDRA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2552, 17 November 1888, Page 2

ALEXANDRA.

Holiday Spouts.—Our townsfolks are rather behind this year in commencing the preliminary proceedings necessary for carrying out our annual Christmas sports, as it was thought that the dullness of the tunes would not conduce to a successful gathering. Some of our more hopeful spirits however, have determined that our annual holiday should not fall through and that thespoits should eventuate as usual. A meeting has therefore been held at the Alexandra Hotel and a committee formed to cany out the ii-mnl Boxing-Day's sports, consisting of' the following gentlemen:Messrs K Garmmisway, .lames Garmonswny .)'. Bayliss, Wm. Searancke, P. lnrner and i'aratini, with Messrs T. Kinch and Beamish Treasurer and Hon. .Secretary respectively. Subscriptions are coming m and a good day's sport may be confidently expected. . Mui. Contract.—After some considerable delay on the part of the Government, Mr Thomas Finch's tender for the conveyance of the mails between Alexandra and To Awanmtu has been accepted to our great satisfaction. During the whole tune the contract has been in Mr I metis hands he has been invariably up to time, which is a great convenience to those residing at a distance from tho township. Tin.: Lvru Mn DIXON.—TIie funeral of the late Mr Willoughby Dixon, who was unfortunately drowned in the Punui, took place on Sunday last at Paterangi, the Key. Mr Boler reading the service. lNotwittistanding the inclemency of tho weather, there was a large attendance, the deceased gentleman being greatly respected by all in the neighbourhood. The deceased was one of tho oldest settlers in the district, having been for many years before the war a partner of the late Mr John Gowel at le Bon, where they had the finest house built at that time in the Waikato, and which was burnt down by the natives on General Cameron's advance up the Waikato. At one time they had a large number of cattle on their leased run, extending from Heathers Creek to Paniu. taking in tho present site ot Alexandra and ii|) to Te Awamutu. His quiet demeanour and obliging disposition made him a general favourite. He had resided in this district altogether, with a short interval during the war, some 40 years. Sm Chaiu.es BUUUK.TT.—The- case ot Sir Charles Francis Burdett, who has been committed to gaol in Auckland, for picking a couple of Mowers, has caused general indignation here amongst all who knew hnn. Itis shameful thatnnold man vvhohasserved and gained honours for Her Majesty, as an officer of the Imperial Armv, also as an officer in the Waikato Militia, where he also was in active service, should tor so frivolous a charge be sent amongst telons, at the instance of a licensed retailer ot prisons, who a few years ago would have been honoured by receiving a nud from the unfortunate victim. Those who know Sir Charles best are well aware it was tromtiis open and generous-hearted disposition, generous to a fault indeed, that has landed him in his present almost friendless condition, When in charge of a post at tne time of the Waikato war he was in the line of march of all officers back and forward from the front and town. So his callers were innumerable, from the General down all were welcome and hospitably received, which in a great measure assisted lus downfall. Afterwards he enlisted as a private in tho Waikato Militia when lie rose to the rank of Corporal and was a general favourite with all, doing his duty manfully. On their disbaudment he served for a considerable time in the Armed Constabulary, and now for a reward is sent to gaol for no crime at all by two wooden headed .T.P.'s. All honour to Mr JAugh Shortland who took up the friendless ones case, and Sir George Grey and the others who assisted him. It is to be hoped that those ,T.P.'swill at all events never again have the opportunity of sending to prison a better man than themselves.