ALEXANDRA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2690, 4 October 1905, Page 39

ALEXANDRA.

September 30. — During the early xoart of the week the weather was cold, accompanied with boisterous winds, but very little rain fell; consequently the river maintains a fairiy low level. At the same time, owing to a slight rise in the Manuherikia River, dredging is very much retarded in the gorge by the large amount of drift brought down by the Manuherikia every time that there is but a slight rise. It is certain that during the past few years the drift travelling down the gorge has increased. Now there must be some reason for this, and I conclude from observation that the old Moa dredge, lying close to the mouth of the Manuherikia, has much to answer for the increased drift every time there is a slight rise in this river. This old dredge, lying right in the course of the liver, acts as a dam bank, and retards the speed of the current; consequently deposition rapidly takes place. If the Molyneux be in flood the rapidity of the deposition is acceuln:ted, as the Molynaux, being the swifter current, acts as a dam bank, thus assisting the old dredge to heap up accumulating material. This aecurnulated material, as soon as the Manuherikia suffers a rise, consequently increases the power of -eroding the deposited material is scoured into the Molyneux, whichi at a low level, rather assit3 than retards erosion. As long as the old dredge is permitted to lie where she is, erery -fciniiei the Manuherikia is slightly flooded trouble from, running drift will be experienced by gorge dredges. All the gorge dredges have beSn idle during the week, the drift being too great to contend against. The Alexandra Lead will make a stait during the week, and when the start is made I shall be in a position to give a description of the alterations, and how they act. Sad Fatality.— A painful and fatal accident took place on Thursday afternoon. A number of boys were playing under a gravel face, in in their play were digging out a tunnel when, -without a moment's warning the face fell in, covering three of the boj's. One was buried up to the neck, another caiight by the legs, and the thud, Reginald Grimstone, was completely covered up under 3ft of earth and gravel. The screams of tha o'her children quickly brought assistance, and two of the boys, Sawyers accl Eggington,

were soon leleased, but it took about 15 minutes to release young Grimstone, who •was still breathing, but died shoitly afterwards). The little- lad, who was about 10 years of age, was buried to-day, his schoolmates fallowing the remains of their old playmate with reverence and kirtdly feeling. The whole community tenders its heartfelt sympathy to Mr and Mrs Grimstone in their sad bereavement.