ALEXANDRA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2215, 13 August 1896, Page 25

ALEXANDRA.

AuGUsr 10.— The weather has been very frosty during the past week, but the warm tun in the day time keeps the frost from blocking the water races to any great extent. It is to be hoped we i shall soou see the lost of Jack Fr,st, or else we shall be haviDg a very late spring. The Fruit Crop.— l have beea visiting some of tbe orchards around here lately, and the show ! of fruit buds is something grand, especially on the early cherries. In >\ few weeks they will be bursting forth into bloom. Possibly, however, Jack Frost will he about, and then his mark, will be left for the rest of the teason. Early potatoes will be coming in soon. The Debating Society.— This society held its fortnightly meeting on Thursday evening, 6th inst.j when a very enjoyable two hours was' spent. Mr R. Gilkison read an able paper on the novel "Trilby," which was listened to with great attention. The thanks of the society was accorded to him. Numerous songs and recitations followed, and on the whole a very enjoyable eveaing was spent. At next meeting a paper on "Pen and Ink Sketches of the Past" will be giveu by Mr J. G. Closs, also a paper on "Socialism" byMrC. B. Morris. This will be the end of the seesion. The membership is nearly 70 members. Ball.— The bachelors are giving a return ball shortly. It is to be hoped they will not let any in "on the nod." Coach Accident.— Last Tuesday morning the Roxburgb. to Cromwell mail coach had a breakdown between Bald Hill Flat and Butcher's Gully, but owing to the forethought and inventive genius of the driver, Mr A. McDonald, the mails were taken through without delay and the coach brought on here for repairs. It speaks well for the material used by Craig and Co. that there are not more mishaps in the winter time, as the roadß are hardly passable. Fowl Fanciers.— Mr E. Butler, of Sandy Point, has somo beauties in the shape of specimens of the Minorca and Leghorn breeds, also a couple of Houdans, and the coming show at Cromwell will be well represented in fowl classes from this quarter. I also note that Mr Mountney, of Cromwell, haß somo fine specimens of several different breeds. .... r, Kinderspiel.— ln connection -with the Jaand of Hope an entertainment of this kind was held in the Town Hall the other night, when a fair number were present. The charges being 2s for adults and Is for children, however, prevented many from attending. Had it been Is all round there would have been a good house for a good ' cause. MINING. The Golden Beacn Hy3rattlic Company are shifting their plant further up Into their claim, and they hope to get good returns, Messrs Evans and Russell are working a piece of ground the old Manuherikia Company left, and The Moa is in trouble again, -hef~manager having received instructions not to 6tart dredging till further orders are iißued. , The Eureka dredge No. 2 is also stopped pendi&j a chute being erected to cany aw»ythettlt.

The Enterprise is undergoing repairs, and it Is expected four or five weeks will be over before she is again on the metal. Mr Robert Lett has received some of the timber for his new shaft. Mr Thomson Is exempt from similar expenditure, he having two tunnels and a shaft Into his pit already. This gentleman has spent a deal of money and time in putting his pit in such good order. It Is the only pit in the district where such extensive works have been carried on,