ALEXANDRA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 321, 19 June 1868, Page 2

ALEXANDRA.

(from our ows correspondent.) The continued high level of the Molynenx for some time past, has had a most damaging effect on the prosperity of this place, but better days are dawning, dry frosty weather having set in. The weather is too severe among the ranges, for the prosecution of work, and the population from Campbells, Waikia, and the Nevis are mak ing their way in, and it is to be hoped they may find profitable employment on the beaches and terraces of the Molynenx, from which many thousands of ounces of gold have been and are yet to be taken. This same Moly neux, is "to talk tall Yankee " a noble institution, and the discoverers of the gold on its beaches, deserve a monument to immortalise them ; many a poor fellow that is driven from the ranges through the inclemency of the weather, hails with joy the sight of it not meri'ly that he reaches a genial clime, but because he will in all likelihood reap a golden harvest for his labor. The Frenchman's, Hit and Miss, and Enterprise Claims have again got to work, and from report, things look well with them, Mining affairs in the Alexandra district, independent of the river, are in a very lvaltny state, and for the population, I think as much gold is I eiug obtained, as in any other district in the Province ; as an instance of the value of mining property, I may mention that a one third share in O'Kane's C aim, Butcher's gully, was sold a few days since for £3OO cash ; I heard also, that a one third share in the New castle Coal Tit, Alexandra, changed hands the other day, price £100; whatever the inducement was, that caused the sale of these properties does not transpire, but if the glowing accounts of fabulous finds at either Gympies Creek, or Tapu Creek is the reason, I sincerely trust they may not be leaving the substance, in chase of the shadow ; in both of these undertakings, if not a sure fortune, a good income will be the reward of the owner. The decision of the Government to respect the claims of the inhabitants as to the retention of the services of a Gold Eeeeiver has given very general satisfaction, and the Provincial cause will not lose by it. We must congratulate ourselves upon the overthrow of the Beid Ministry. There is but one universally prevailing opinion—that, the Taieri farmers, with Mr. Peid at their head, would have ruined the mining interests. Those members for the mining districts who have so pertinaceously opposed the Yogel Ministry will get a good calling over the coals when they meet this portion of their constituents. Mr. Shephe-d has done very good service towards opening up the lands, and deservedly merits our thanks; but his continued obstnibtivencss in the Council, by talking so much upon every motion or amendment brought forward has made him ridiculous, and we do not think so much of him as heretofore. Land for cultivation is demanded by the people, and the sooner the fif- I teen hundred acres surveyed off for " occupation at Coal Creek is available the better. Land is also much wanted for commonage purposes, and the proclaiming of Low's Flat, on tho Manuherikia, a commonage, would add considerably to the prosperity of the district 1 believe that a strong agitation for this absolute necessity will shortly be made. In fact, the presence of the squatters on the goldfields is fast becoming intolerable, and it is high tine they gave way to population, who at present tire like wanderers " finding no rest for the soles of their feet,,' The war cry, as in Victoria, must be, " The land for the people, and the people for the la d." I the Warder's Court last week, a case involving a rather knotty point was heard before Mr, Warden ttobin-

sou. It was the objection of Scott I i and party to the construction of a tail < race by M-Quillan a'id party. From the evidence, it appeared that the ob- t jectors were the the owners of the Imperial Race and Flume, which was , constructed some time ago, at a vast \ expense to convey water across the s Molyneux, from Butcher's gully to . Butcher's Point, and the grounds of . the objection were, that the tail race , as applied for, would run tailings into their's, the objectors dam, which supplied and was practically the head of their race. After hearing both sides at considerable length, the Warden adjourned the case till Thursday, wit i the view of visiting the ground. Mr. J C. Chappie appeared for the applicants. On Thursday the Warden visited k the ground, and on Monday last, at f the Court House, heard further argument and gave decision. Mr. W. L. Bailey appeared for the objectors. Mr. Bailey said his clients had made the applicants an offer, namely :—To give the applicants a sum of £SO towards defraying the expenses of building a dam for themselves, and also a right to run off their dam through the objectors' once a week. This offer the applicants had dccli ed, and therefore he would ask that the application be refused Mr Bailey contended that if the application were granted on any o'her terms than agreeable to the offer made, the whole of the property oi his clients, which had cost a large sum of money, would be rendered value'ess. A race without water was useless, and the gra< ting of the ap plication would cut off the supply of water to the race. The Warden, after summing up, elaborately, pointing out the great injustice that would be done to the objectors by granting the application, refused the application.