ALEXANDRA. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) March 25.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3018, 29 March 1867, Page 5

ALEXANDRA. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) March 25.

TflK withdrawal of the troops from the military posti of Te Awanratu and Te Rori has, as was anticipated, led to an increased number of men being placed on pay. The militia strength on pay now ia 21 men, including the officer, at Kihikihi ; and 46 of , all ranks at this settlement. The fatigue work of the men u spent upon work* of public utility for the respective settlements. The bridge across the Mangapiko' creek has been put up again, so that traffic is again open \ with Te Rori. This is a great benefit at the pretent season, as, from the low state of the W»ip», the steamers cannot come higher than Te .Rori. The bridges for the road from Alexandra to Te Awamutu are being proceeded with, and the piles for the contemplated bridge over J;he Waipa are now ready. The timber for the 'same will be cut .next month, and , the bridge itself rapidly proceeded with, under the superintendence of Mr. Simpson. The telegraph terminus is, I' am informed, to he altered to Alexandra and Kihikihi, instead of Te Rori and Te Awamutu, as at present. As the former ports form the outskirts of the boundary, and are at present garrisoned the proposed step is most judicious. I regret to have to record, another death by drowning in the Waipa. On Wednesday last, 20th instant, the ( Gymnotus' was proceeding up the river, and when she was just below Te Rori one of our settlers, Thomas Miller* aged about 40, fell overboard. A fellow passenger (Kelly) caught him by the leg and called out to stop the steamer. His cries not being heard he was compelled to let go, when the poor fellow sank to rise bo more* This is the second accident on board the same steamer within a short space of time, and it should be a consideration for the jury whether she is a safe vessel for the conveyance of pasiengers. On Wednesday evening a most interesting service was held here, being the induction of the Rey. Mr. Blain, Presbyterian minister, to the charge of this district. At 7 p.m. Divine service was conducted in the school-room by the Rev. Mr. Nome, of Papakura, who preached .an excellent discourse from 2 Cor., iii., ,10, to, a large, and attentive congregation/ The Rey. Mr. Taylor, from Hamilton, gave the charge and addressed the people. After the benediction, a committee was formed to assist the minister, and the congregation dispersed, shaking hands with Mr. Blain at the door, cordially welcoming him amongst us. The arrival of a stated minister in our midst is hailed by our settlers as a great blessing, we haviDg been so long without the stated jaeinis of grace, as was evinced on Sunday, when 7 Mr. Blain preached at 3 p.m. Every seat was filled, and several had to stand during the service. It is understood the Rev. Mr- Blain will have to supply, besides this settlement, Te Awamutu, Harapipi, and Raglan. It is, I believe, his intention to reside at Alexandra. If not too late, I beg to supply the omission of not sending you the list of the firing of candidates of the 2nd VV.R. for the colonial prizes. There were, in all, 43 candidates, and < the firing w«s greatly superior to that of last year. The following are the scores of those who made over 20 points ; —

It |is gratifying to think that the above list will bear comparison with the other regiments, and will even compare favourably with the Auckland Volunteers. The competition for the selection, fer competitore at Wellington proved * failure* The weather, which had been fine, changed to very high winds, blowing, indeed, half a hurricane. To this cause must, I think, be attributed the reason of our not being represented at Wellington. The competition between the three winners of Ist district prize took place at Hamilton on Thursday last. The medal was contested for by three shots each, at 400 yards, and was won by Forbes, of the 3rd Waikato Regi« ment.

XUilll/H. Ensign Cunningham, Ist F."R. ... 30 John Burns, 2nd W.R 27 John Spiers, 2nd W.R. 24 Philip Bond, Ist F.R. 24 R. McGruther, 2nd W.R. ... 23 Sergeant Bertram," Ist F.TJT ... 24 Sergeant Kennedy,' 2nd W. R. ... 32 J. Sutcliffe; 2ad W.R 20 Joseph Davis, 2nd W.R. ... ... 21 Israel Davis, 2nd W.R :, 19 Ensign Perry, 2nd W.R. ... '.:. 19 Sergeant H. Baker, 2nd W.R. ;.. 18 Robert Barry, 2nd W.B 19 John Curly, 2nd' W.R. 19 J. T. Edwards, 2nd W.R. ... 16 Frederick Farndon, 2nd W.B. ... 18 James Gifford, 2nd W. R 17 Sergeant W. Nabbs, 2nd W.R. ... 17 G. T. Morrison, 2nd W.R.- ... 16 R. Seaton, 2nd W.R 16 W. Jordan, W.R 15 Sergeant Watters, Ist F.R. ... 16 W. flick, 2nd W.R 12 J. McCarthy, 2nd W.R. ... ... 13 Corporal W.John, Ist F.R. ... 13 Forbes Gordon,- 2nd W.R. ... 13 P. Ready, 2nd W.R. 14 i. j XL LlbS. AC 13 11 14 12 . 11 10 11 13 10 10 9 10 9 9 11 9 10 8 9 9 8 1 9 7 7 7 6 uuu. 43 38 38 36 34 34 33 33 ; 31 29 28 28 , 28 28 27 27 27 25 25 25 23 22 21 20 20 20 20