ALEXANDRA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 204, 28 December 1871, Page 6

ALEXANDRA.

(From our Oxon Correspondent.)

It is now some time since I troubled you with anything from this quarter, and I suppose you thought I had disappeared. However, I still live, and to prove it I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Tear. As usual I have nothing to report in mining matters. Several claims in Butcher's Grully are at present washing up with, I believe, satisfactory i exults. The same report will apply to Conroy's Gully and the Great Eastern claim. The Grand Junction Earnscleugh claim succeeded in reaching the bottom,, but 1 am sorry to say did not strike payable gold. They have resolved to work their top seam which will pay good wages for a very long time to come. The rest of the claims on the west bank nre in full work, but nothing worthy of special notice has transpired. The Ovens Company have succeeded in reaching the bottom in the pump hole in their claim on the Manuherikia river. I am pleased to inform you they have struck good gold. They have set to work enlarging their paddock, and J believe, it is their intention not to take the usual hollidays, preferring to take off the bottom of their paddock, which they are in hopes of doing before New Pear's day. The Manuherikia Company are in full work, and I hear no complaints from them, so I suppose, they are doing something. The Con roys Reef Company are again cleaning up. From what I can learn it will be something good, and I hope the shareholders will not be disappointed. I think I am correct in stating that they have struck nothing payable in the low levels as yet, but are' sanguine of coming on something good ultimately. The. Butcher's Gully Reef is in full work. The machinery is working well and the stone also looking well. I shall be pleased to give you the result of their first crushing, as I have Beason to predict it will be something good. "I will' say nothing abojit our -sports as I have no doubt that mojfe-of your readers will gather^.the facts from variouß quarters—^e expect a busy time of it.

I regret to chronicle that the harvest in this quarter will be some- t thing less than half a crop, little or no straw, and very few oats— * the heavy winds not allowing anything to grow. In fact the gale on the 13th December cut the tojia of the potatoes clean off; those in sheltered spotf?, as a matter of course, escaped. The fruit aiso has Buffered considerably.

The annual examination of the Alexandra school took place yesterday, but as far as the attendance of ppepte pr the public, it was (last year

it was a great success)ja failure, owing no doubt, to the fact that our schoolmaster has lost the confidence of a great many of the ladies (that is if be ever enjoyed it.) There is also a great deal, of dissatisfaction displayed as regards a sum of money that was collected last year for the purpose of giving the children a treat. There was a surplus left of £12 55., which three ladies took charge of, and each refuse, for different reasons, to give it up for the benefit of the children. Oue avers she will not part with possession of any pai't of it for prizes because the schoolmaster does not approve of giving prizes; another will not part with it for any other purpose but prizes, and iutends showing the schoolmaster that he is not to rule the roast — so you will perceive we are all sixes and sevens — in school matters. The children acquitted themselves very creditably indeed at the examination. A first and second prize wsa given in each class, also a £2 2s prize given by the Municipal Council. Mr. Chappie, the Mayor and Chairman of the School Committee, addressed the children in his usual style, and presented the prizes with a few words of encouragement for each, and so was brought to a close one of the lamest affairs that has taken place in Alexandra for a very long time.