ALEXANDRA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 435, 19 August 1870, Page 2

ALEXANDRA.

(from OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Tlie owners of dredges and bank claims on the Molyneux River are beginning to be more cheerful, the weather at present is everything that could be desired, and the river low enough for all hands to be at work. The Hit or Miss Claim is i > full work and on good gold and expect to bottom their lirst paddock next week, this Company, about two years since went to a considerable expense iu laying down a tram road, and making trucks, bnt for some reason the trucks were laid on one side, and they again took to the barrows, but some of the shareholders persisted that the trucks were the most economical, and the best for working the claim, and induced the c ompany to give them another trial, and they ate now working with great success, and a great saving of labor, this is the only claim at work on the Frenchman’s Point, t he others being worke I out and abandoned. Messrs Kctt ’and Company, 'ti the Halfmile beach are in full work, night and day with between twenty and thirty men, they expect to bottom their first paddock next week. The adjoining claim is owned by Messrs Wood and Feraud, it is not their intention to make a start this season, as they have no water on the ground to work the claim with. Stanbrook and party at BVitchcr's Point arc working away with a will, but is yet are not on the gold, but are cxp'ecting every day to see some of the precious metal, last year this claim turned out a lot of gold, but it took the lot to pay expenses. There is nothing to report of the other claims on the West side of the Molyneux, further that they are all at work and sanguine of a good season yet, although it is a late one. On the Eastern side of the river, the Ovens and Manuherikia Water-race Companies are in full work and their races ru nfling full of water. The latter Company have started to sink for the main bottom near the Coal Pit, they have as good a plant aS any Company on the river, ns yet, 1 have not visited this Companies works, but from what I can learn, they are hot like y to reach the bottom this season, as they work only ond shift, and that a short cue, The hew Council os yet, have not met, od scccnht of the death of Mr. tleodereotij

their Town Clerk. I am of opinion that the Council have lost their right hand man, ho was thoroughly devoted to hia duties, and took great delight in everything appertaining to the same There is nothing of importance to report from the School Committee, I think they are laying on their oars at present, they have had a busy time of it since they took office in getting Schoolmasters new residence completed, ’and repairing his old one fortheSchooimistress, butthey will shortly have to bestir themselves to raise funds to enlarge the schoolroom, which is too small for the number of scholars attending school.