ALEXANDRA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 895, 13 June 1879, Page 3

ALEXANDRA.

The chief topic of conversation here at foe present time is the Bridge, and a general all round of congratulations is the result, and the County sjistem and the Councillors are all voted to be the most liberal minded, and the very best fellows that ever had anything to d' • with the handling of public monies. Well, there is no gainsaying the fact that a bridge will largely facilitate the public tre flic, and moreover, be a great convenience to the residents in the immediate district. The punt was an improvement on the old style of being rowed over in a boat, and the swimming your horse after, but a bridge, doubtless, is the quintescence of what is the correct thing, if only’ it is higl i enough, and out of the way of all floods, It has often occurred to me, and I feel quite certain that I am not alone in my view that the Government in not bridging all udordable rivers many years ago did more to stop the flow of population up country, 1 ban ever they imagined, and though under the County system the evil is being remedied as quickly as possible yet, years in' ist elapse before the evil effects will be eff iced—to talk to new chums about crossing rapid running, and dangerous rivers in a punt is buttofrighten them and make them say—No, No, we have escaped the dangers of the deep, we are not going to risk our lives la your punts, we will remain on the seaboard. There is no ■doubt but that it is only now that the correct system of opeui ig up the iiverior of the country by bridges and railways is commenced, and it : s sincerely to be hoped that nothing may transpire to stop the good work, now that it fc. begun. But this is, nothing to do with oar bridge, “ The Alexandra Bridge.” K - ery one who has seen the plans agree in f aying that when finished, it will he the k mdsoinest structure in the Province, and 1 think the contractors, Messrs Urummy, Beresford and Simmonds (the two latter ha\e I understand gone into the contract since it was signed) will be able to carry them out faithfully. A start has already been made, and should the weather continue favorable, and the river continue falling, a good start should be given the pier on the East bank before the rive'- rises again for summer level ; a little difficulty, doubtless, will he experienced in getting down for the foil idation of this pier, but with plenty of strength, that will be got over all right. Xow that work has actually commenced there is no fear, whatever is said, that it will on that account be stopped. I shall, accordingly, but briefly, however, just give what I thought would have proved an obstacle against ic ever being undertaken by the County, the which I thought would have been the want of power of the County authorities to expend money out of their boundary, that is, within the limit of a Borough, but it appears the Counties’ Act is no different from all other Acts that it is said that a coach and four can be driven through, and that the Councillors have found the way in which it could be done. This brings to my mind a case in point. It will be well remembered that application was made to the County to open up communication between the lower end of the County and the Waikaia bush, and that it was refused on this very ground—inability to expend money out of its boundary—now if it can be done in one instance it surely can be done in another, and it is open for the people, it they were really earnest in their desire to have the road made, to raise their voices again. The arguments raised at the time were the great impetus it would give to mining, and the great help to settlement, by having comparatively cheap timber. If these arguments were good and valid then, they are so now, and I see no reason why they should not again he brought to boar. The heavy frosts having again in due season shut up the supplies of water, but I'ttle mining is for the time being done. There is, however, with the low state of the river a good deal of beach combing, and from what I hear some are doing well, that is, they are making good wages, the which is not to he despised these times. No effort is yet being made to raise the dredge, which Was you recorded last week, sank at her moorings. I suppose, however, an attempt will be made. I took a trip through Spear Grass and Bald Hill Flats during the week, and from the well-filled stack yards I can but imagine that the last crops were very good. Some few patches are broken up for next season, but nothing like the quantity I expected. With but a few patches, and a very few and very small at that, pf timber, there is really none grown on these magnificent flats. It is a great pity that people cannot see their way clear to more liberally plant, the benefits from so many points would be incalculable. lam informed that ths surveyors, under the charge of a Mr Campbell, have arrived on the ground to survey the 2000 acres on Eamscleugh run. I was really afraid they were never coming, but better late than never. When it is surveyed it is to he hoped that it will at once be put in the market. A good few

people have been hanging on for a long timo for this land, most of whom will make first class settlers should they succeed in getting the sections they like. This land being right in the eye of the sun, is beautifully situated for nurseries and orchards, and to that purpose I look upon it that it will bo turned. Our new Court-house is at last finished, and I understand it will bo officially opened on the next Court day. It is a very comfortable building, but though small it will be sufficiently large for the requirements of the district for the next few years. Mr Faohe on Monday last conducted a sale by auction here, and amongst other properties sold a small section and house, realising for them LSG, which must be considered a very handsome price. A vacant section adjoining also brought Lls. Whatever the cause, there is no doubt these prices are far and away above the estimated value, but I suppose it is to be ascribed to the fact of the bridge being about to be built. A LIC.OOO contract right in the very heart of a small town must necessarily create confidence, and this is the first sign. A small lot of household furniture and other things, sold at the same time, brought very satisfactory prices.