ALEXANDRA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2128, 30 November 1868, Page 3

ALEXANDRA.

(FHOM A SPECrAI CORKK.S!'ONDENT.)

Monday last was made the occasion of a holiday and fete by the inhabitants of Alexandra, in order to culobrato tho completion of Messrs Duloy and Mackersey'a >ron pnnt for the Moiyneux crossing place, on tho now line of road via Tuapeka to Dunedin. Tho young, tho old, and the fair, assembled in largo numbers to do honour to tho occasion. The ponderous structure swam gracefully upon tho water; and tho Moiyneux being in a partial state of flood, tho effect of tho rushing tide, the pleasant breeze of the river, and the fluttering of flags, made the scene a very lively and pleasant ono. At threo o'clock, the time appointed for the ceremony to take place, a goodly company of ladies and gentlemen wero present, both on board the vessel and on ',he banks of the river. Tho fair sex seemed largely to predominate, and many were heard to ask where bo many fair ones came from. Tho punt had been previously attached to tho iron wire cable which stretches across tho river, and was duly moored to tho landing stage opposite tho township.

Tho Mayor, Mr Robert Finlay, J.P.,

opened the proceedings by referring to the progress made by the town and district of Alexandra, and to the immense benefits that must arise by the opening up of communication with the seaboard by way of Tnapeka and the we3t bank of the Moiyneux. He also eulogised the enterprising firm of Daley and Mackersey, tho owners of the punt, by whoso special invitation tho company present wereassembled. Everything being now in readiness for the most interesting portion of the ceremony, Mr Fihlay introduced his youthful daughter Jeannio, who had been chosen to perform tho part of apomorto tho huge machine about to bo named ; Misa Finlay vraa dressed in white, and looked for all tho world a

" little fairy." The bottle of champagne, suspended by ribbons and adorned with rosottes, appeared an appropriate sacrifice to the " water gods,?' whose favour it was sought to invoke. At the proper moment, tho bottle was "slipped and bounded quickly to tho mark ; the sparkling wine sprinkled tho bows of the Alexandra, amidst loud and continued cheering. Tho mooring ropes being loosened, the ponderous structuro, with its living freight, glided smoothly into the river, making tho passage across and hack again so smoothly and noiselessly, that it was hard to realise tho fact of being afloat. A rapid onslaught was meanwhile being made on the good things on board. Success to the Alexandra and her enterprising proprietors was universally drunk by the company. The punt having been brought back again to tho landing stage and secured, the y^nisineas of speechifying commenced. a few remarks upon tho success of the trip across the river, loud calls followed for the proprietors of the punt, when Mr Mackersey stepped forward and thanked the company, on behalf of himself and partner, for their presence. He said that no one wished more for tho success of tho

4NE£MlKbrf undertaking than themselvea. The openin£"trp of the new road to the Toviot and Dunedin must largely benefit tho district, and likewiso the proprietors of the punt. His firm had hitherto met with considerable success, but thoy were, nevertheless, mindful of others. They had always done their utmost to promote tho welfare of the district, and they trusted that tho punt would enjoy a long run and prove satisfactory to all. Mr Warden Pyko said that no greater evidence of the prosperity of tho district of Alexandra would be found, than what they saw before them to-day. Ho had long been a resident in iho Australian Colonies, and a more energetic and enter-

prising people were not to bo found. It was only a short lime ago that wo were

living in a blank and dreary wilderness, but the untiring industry of tho people had coverted it comparatively into a garden.

The faco of tho country I'lossomed like a rose. The resources of Otago wore, without doubt, very great; the climate was magnificent ; we could produce plenty of corn, raise cattle and all else that wo re-

quire for consumption ; wft possessed

great and magnificent rivers, not only uaoful in assisting tho commerco of the country, but possessing in their banks and terraces gold in abundance; while their .-waters rolled over golden Band on,

their -passage to tho sea. Aftor highly eulogising tho enterprising proprietors of tho punt, Mr Pyko alluded to the fact that, when he first visited the Manuherikia some six years, ago, there were no punts on the Molynoux, and only the most primitive appliances were used for crossing tho river. What ia now the prosperous town of Alexandra consisted theixof a few straggling tents, and it was solely duo to the enterprise of,.its people that it occu-. pied its present proud position.. Ho trusted that the, punt would pitovo a successful speculation to her twvßers, and that they would reap that reward which such an undertaking deserved.

Mr Win. Thoyors said that ho believed

himself to be one of the oldest residents in Manuherikia, and he was highly gratified at the progress the place had made.

At one time tho crossing-of tho Molyneux was no easy matter. The. only means available- was a sort of trumpery packing case made of deal, and capable of carrying two passengers ■with the man in charga. Now they had, he believed, one of' the largest and most approved self-acting pirata in New Zealand. Alexandra had always kept pace-with the times, and always would.

The present undertaking of Messrs Dnley and: Mackersey he .hoped w*uld bo equally boßoficial to themselves.and to the people ofthe Dunstan District.

Mr Dunn spoke on bohalf of the miners, and Mr Benjamin Knight on belialf of the dredging interest. A number of other persons made brief addresses, and "God save the Queen" by the company wound up the festivities. A number of the leading residents in thedistrict then adjourned, by invitation, to the private residence of his Worship the Mayor, and were hand* somoly entertained.

The punt is self-acting, built upon, iron boats, and on tho most approved principles. Its total cost was rather more than LBOO.. Tho builder is Mr Robert Sparrow, of the Dunedin Iron. Works, who. has turned out ono of tha most complete works ever executed for tho Goldfiolds. For mechanical skill Mr Sparrow stands pre-eminent as a worker in icon. The dimensions of each bo at are :—Length over all, 36 feet -, breadth of beam, 10 feet; depth of hold, 3 feet 9 inches ; tonnage, builder's measurement, 15 tons ; weight, 4 tons ; length of bridge or platform, 36 feet; breadth, 13 feet; total weight of timber and iron used in construction of punt, including boats, 15 tops ; total carrying capacity, 30 tons.

There ia » rnmour abroad that Mj Carlyle is engaged upon, * life of George 111., o! whom lie propose* to nuke » hero.—Lpndon Review. !