ALEXANDRA.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 5, 8 December 1869, Page 3

ALEXANDRA.

(From our Own Correspondent.) December 4, 1800. Since the satisfactory result of an ounce and a-lialf to the ton lias been obtained by Holliday and party from their claim on the Alexandra lino of reef, no less than eight additional claims have been taken ii[), the whole of which have struck the usual indications, and have commenced to sink their shafts, giving the reef quite a lively appearance. The favourite mode of carrying on operations is by letting the sinking of the shafts by contract. No less than throe tenders were accepted one evening this week for shafts, at depths varying from 50ft to 60ft, the price obtained in two instances being 20s per foot, and tho other ISs per foot, contractors finding their own tools, &0., with tho exception of winding gear. Two or three more parties intend following the same course during the coming week, as on this reef no shepherding is being resorted to, every company being anxious to test the reef at a considerable depth. HalUday and party have a day and night shift, and are making considerable progress. The throe contracts accepted worn for the following companies: —Paget ife Co., 50ft; Jones & Co., 50ft; Stanbrook & Co., 60ft. On Iverson's reef, at Conroy’s, they have sunk to a depth of 60ft., carrying gold with them the whole of the distance, but as yet they have not met with any body of stone. They are, however, very sanguine of the reef making at a greater depth. This party have also a night and day shift; at work. At Tucker Hill, Chappla and Co. are j down 18ft, and have a very nice leader, in which gold has been seen. j Tho Ovens Company, the Manuherikia I Company, and tho various other holders of 1 sluicing claims on tho west bank of tho Molyneux, are carrying on their works witli very satisfactory results. Kitt and party are making great improvements in their late purchase, and arc building a reservoir on an extensive scale at the head of their claim, for the purpose of storing surplus water. On the completion of this, the company will commence stripping their claim, with a fall complement of hands. Our Race Committee have now advertised their meeting, and have come out with a good programme—no less than £2OO for the two days’ sport. Tho races take place on the 27th and 28th ipst, dates which will suit the owners of horses, as it will enable them to put in an appearance for your .valuable prizes on the 30th •and 31st. Thu stewards are greatly improving .Jim ,course, and we anticipate, a most successful meeting. It,seems a pity that our meet should clash with the Bt. Bathans races, but a? our course is so very superior to theirs, there is no doifbt that owners of horses will study their own-inte-rests by giving the preference dra. Mr Joseph Mason, of the Royal Mail Hotel, and Mr Robertson, of the. Geelong Hotel, were tho successful. purchasers of the two booths, tho former fetching 1 £lB 10s and the latter £l3' 10b.