ALEXANDRA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 206, 7 April 1866, Page 3

ALEXANDRA.

Mining matters in this district are rapidly improving. The Molyneux keeps steadily"'going down—every bank claim is now in fall v,-ork, and in numbers of instances beach cla'ms are being looked sharply after. Frenchman's Beach is again a scene of btisy labor. Operations in the large sluicing claims are being prosecuted vigorously, and on a far more extensive scale than hitherto. The Frenchman's party are busily engaged stripping ground preparatory to paddocking out the washdirt. At Butcher's and Poverty Points things are lively in the extreme. The only want is that of labor to work the claims, which, however, is extremely scarce. The same may be said of the whole of the Dunstan district, wages men being extremely difficult to procure. Kho Rose Thistle and Shamrock Race Company arc about to increase their capital so as to complete their race to Tucker Hill. The parties that have rented water from this company for working the terraces bordering the Manuherikia River are doing remarkably well, and several applications have been lodged for extended area claims. On Monday last the new bridge across the Manuherikia at Hensburgh's crossingplace was opened for traffic by a public demonstration. The ceremony of christening the bridge was performed by Mrs. J. C. Thomson, who, after breaking the usual of champagne, declared the bridge ■»en for traffic, naming it " Simms' \bridge" in honor of Mr. Thos. Simms, through whose exertions its existence is due. Speeches appropriate to the occasion were delivered by a number of the tradesmen and miners present. Everything passed off in a most satisfactory manner. The programme being completed, a number of the guests retired to Mr. C. Ifensburgh's Boatman's Arms Hotel, where they spent a very merry evening.