ALEXANDRA.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1356, 10 March 1881, Page 2

ALEXANDRA.

Business generally is at a standstill here, with a general complaint for want of rain, the river being very low indeed, rendering it impossible for the Natives to get down with their produce excepting in very small quantities. The usnal annual races amongst the Natives at Christmas did not eventuate this year, the financial difficulty being insurmountable at the time, so they have determined now to, hold horse races on the 15th of this month, when, instead of money prizes, bags of wheat and oat 3 wilj be contested for, some hundred bushels bejng already subscribed amongst themselves, as, they wisli pakehas to be present, they have made a course on the confiscated * boundary line of the west side of Alexandra, near to the township. None but "maiden horses are to compete, and a whole Host of animals are in training, and given any ,amout of exercise, during the day, so a good days' sport may be expected, as every horse will try to win. At Hikurangi all are engrossd preparing for the great meeting, Major Te Wheoro still remains there with Tawhiao who returned from Kawhai on Sunday last. To-day the whole atmosphere is clouded with smoke for miles, which makes it very unpleasant, there must be a great burning off somewhere. — Own correspondent, March 9th.