ALEXANDRA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2623, 22 June 1904, Page 35

ALEXANDRA.

June 18. — In writing the above date I am reminded of the great historical fact that just 89 years ago the power of Napoleon, "Th© fcol cf : false dominion — a kind of bastard Caesar," was overthrown at Waterloo. It is well tha,t we commemorate that event, and, "lest we forget," the- cleaT, sharp illustrations in this week's "Witness of scenes of that great battle will stimulate sluggish memories to recall stories to>l by departed heroe3 who survived that great fight. The patriotism of our young folk js quickened by such illustrations, and in every | farm house as well as ploughman's cottage the I great battle would be fought over again with j thrills of subdued excitement. And didn't the I old folk's eyes brighten too as they told of deeds of derring-do performed on that ever-memorable-j day? I trow they did, and the young folk learned a lesson in patriotism. Thanks to you for so perfecting the TVitness as a.n influential I factor in our educational machinery, our young folk learn much that is truly excellent. I A Coming Social. — The Scottish social to be held in the Town Hall on Friday n«:t promises to be a. success, as tlie committee of management tire making strenuous efforts to make it th© event o." the year. MINING. During the week continuous rain prevaile-d for nearly two days throughout Centra! Otago, causing the Manuherikia, to rise to flood level. The Molyneux ross to the Oft 6in mark above Eorrnal on Friday morning, but fell rapidly during the> subsequent 24 hours. The heigut above normal now is 7ft, and' the Manuherikia is also receding considerably. Even should heavy frost set in. the- probabilities are that it will bei three or four weeks before the most favourably-situated d the gorge dredges can expect to commence dredging. Every eifcrt should now be made by directors of companies to put their dredges in thorough i\ orkicg order, so that there may be no unnecessary stoppages when dredging is started. The Molyneux Hydraulic and the Alexandra Lead put in a week's good time; at the same time the returns were not very encouraging; but, as they pay expenses, there can be no occasion for shareholders to quite lose heait in the prospects of their respective companies. I-fc is rumoured that the directors of the Chicago Company purpose taking legal action against the Perseverance Company for encroachment on the Chicago's claim. It is said that the Perseverance worked an acre if not more-, of the Chicago's ground. I am not in a position to vouch for the accuracy of the liimour, but give it for what it is worth. A Dunedin syndicate was granted', at the sitting of the Warden's Court) to-day, 600 seres in the basin of the M»norburn, Galloway iua, for sluicing purposes. The syndicate, I understand, purpose working the ground with water from the Bonanza race. An expert has informed me that the ground will pay well if a sufficient body of water can be brought on to the ground, and this, I understand, can be done. An. application for a tail race into the Manorburn by Eivei-s and party was «)l>j*e-t«<i to by tlie Morning Star Dredging Company. JUlg

Messrs Ilowden and Moncn^ff, of the A'evaj.drii nursery. After hearing lengthy evidence Hie "Warden decided to viait the ground betore giving his decision. This aotio.i of the Wt rden e\idences his sound common sen>-c, and I thirk, will be more satisfactory to both side? , for where thcie is contrcdictoiy evidence, the Warden, by viewing the ground, ; cts in the capacity' of a \hird party in an nrbitiation case.

The case of the l»oioi'a;h Council v. liiveis "ngaged the coiut up to a late hour to-night, and will likely eoiitinue tiU a late hour on Moiictay nighi, as the plaintiffs ca-,e is jiot yet closed.