ALFORD FOREST.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1816, 16 April 1888, Page 3

ALFORD FOREST.

(prom our own correspondent.) On Tuesday evening last about half, past 7 o'clock one of the new houses built on the Government Sections, and belonging to Andrew (Sanderson wag burned to the ground. The owner had left about ten minutes before to pty a visit to a neighbor, when a obild living near ran m ( to tell him that bis honsa was In flimes. He and Mr W. T. Ohapmao hurried to i he Bcene, but all th: y could do wa3 to j save a spring trap ltf t near the house, And some now flooring boards he bad for use under the veraadah. Every precau ion against fire had been thken ; the fire, a very small one, was banked down with ashes ; bat it is moßt probable that the variable wind preoeding the storm of Wednesday morning blew the burning embers on to the floor. The unfortunate owner has lived here for many years, . is highly respected, and receives the sympathy of all his neighbors. He loaes a good Btock of winter clothing, a saddle and bridle, a good Uotherhatn silver lever watsb, and several pounds m money. About a pounds' worth of Bllver was picked op next day under the plaoa where his clothes hung oa the wa 1 .!. No suspicion of incendiarism can be entet taint d, though so suddenly did the affair happen, that at firßt the idea that suoh was the cause gained credence. The h .uae like all ! others on t'jpEe settlements fs iDsn^ed, the amount m th!a instance b'.-in^ £50 ; but much more than that sum would be required to repiaca what has been destroyed. The storm of Wednesday will long be remembered here, the force of the wind being terrific, especially towards Springbura and Mount Soinera. At the former place Mr Brough'a residence was stripped of its ri of completely, and a Btable, the property of Mr D. McLean was shorn of its U.p as with a knife. At Mount Scmerß the goods shed was entirely demolished, portions being found a 1 )i g way down the lin». Stacks have suffered much, and it will tale some time to make good the damages to gates, outbuildings, windows, etc. The OhriatchuTch " Prees," of Wednesday laßt, gives a detailed analysis of two samples of stone, forwarded to San Francieoo. Tbey were placed m the haud3 of a gentleman, well-known for his ability and probty all along the Paclfio elope, and quite a little flutter of exoite- . ment waa occasioned by his reporting "small quantities of gold and silver." | The actual value was only six shillings and elghtpence per ten ; namely, four shillings and threepence worth of gold, and Dilver to the value of two ahillsngß and fivepence. Like all other samples tested, these wore only picked op on the eurfsco ; but two thoroughly experienced miners aro busily engaged searching for tin stone, and last week the writer handled specimens which wee perfectly satisfactory as to wefght, all found np to this time being deficient ia that reapec f . Profeaaoi- Black, of Dun^dio, has these m hand for analysis, and his report is eagerly looked for Of all the different minerals yet found about thirty point to the conclusion that tin is m close proximity, and the enterprising gentleman who has taken the matter m band will give the thing a real trial. A piece cf fiery opal was picked up a fortnight ago by Mr John Moore ; and opal rock can be seen m various places. Kaolin, or China day of superb quality abounds, and Bpeoiraens of both granite and quartz Until the thing has been thoroughly tested the public must wait patiently ; and until this has bd9n done no steps will be taken to form a public company. Amid the universal depre3aiou, it ia oheering to see active Btepa taken to develope tbe mineral wealth of the country, whioh alone can check the alarming exodus to really enterprising localities, j