ALEXANDRA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 436, 26 August 1870, Page 2

ALEXANDRA.

(froji our own correspondent.) On F i id ay and Saturday last owing to the weather looking rather heavy, the inhabitants cl this place one and all looked very gloomy, and every one you met, the first thing that passed his lips was, —what do you think of the weather 1 however I am pleased

ilia t the heavy looking weather lias cleared away, and brightened the faces of those who looked so sad. The Hit or Miss claim at Frenchman’s Point bottomed their first pad dock this season, and are satisfied with the r suit, now their first paddock is out, they will work on a face, and should the river not play them false for a couple of months, they will have an average season, though a late one. Michael Kott and party at the Half-mile Beach have not reached the bottom, the deep ground in this claim was never bottomed, the gold hitherto obtained has been got off the reef near the river, which dips into the hill; in the paddock they are now working they have struck the other reef dipping towards the river, consequently will have no difficulty in working the claim after the first paddock is out. There are several claims at full work on the west bank of the Molynenx opposite the Coal-pit, but as yet, none have bottomed Stanbrook’s claim at Butcher’s-point have sixteen men at work, and will have a paddock out in a day or two. Beattie and Company’s dre Ige at One-mile Beach are doing very well The Alabama is working the ground in front of the Enterprise claim. Prench-nian’s-point, but as yet they have not dune much. H,d iday and party have made a start. The dredge, Hears,age, that was built at theTeviot last year is now working the claim, from which the dredge, Alexandra was cut adrift from some three years since, and are, as I have been informed, on good gold. Messrs Roberts and Company, who are working a claim on the West hank of the Molyueux, about one mile above Alexandra, had the misfortune to have theii paddock filled in by a slip from the bank ; they bad just got on to the gold, and were in the hopes of bottoming this week. This party started to work this claim the latter end of last season, and succeeded in taking off the bottom of a small paddock, which produced forty two ounces of gold which was considered very satisfactory The reason assigned for the slip, is neglecting to strip lar enough into the bank, which is some fifty feet in height, which clearly proves that the penny wise and pound foolish policy will not answer in mining NEVIS. (Communicated.) Matters in this quarter move slowly but steadily along. Old hoary headed “ Remarkable ” as yet shews but few sunny spots iodic dive of smiling Spring, to him, we look when we fee! desirous of knowing what to morrow shall bring forth. We can fin 1 no fault so far as the season has gone, ' the ordinary occupation of the miner , has in but a few instances been sus pended. The “ Cameron Men ” and at the Upper Terrace, where they suffer most from the frost, are now busy preparing for a Jong Summer’s work, and several parties are moving upwards for the same purpose, in the Gorge, river working progresses favorably, the river being at present very low. Galvin and party have obtained good prospects near Grande’s claim. In Stonewall-gully, Smith and party are pushing forward to known rich ground, having had to sink a fresh and deep paddock for a new face. In Stuart’s-gully, M'Lean and Reddins’ are also o|ieiiing up paddocks, and ere long will bn in good working order, and it is to he hoped in good payable ground. In the lower gullies, Messrs Spence, Harrison and Cowles parties have been running their sluices all -he winter, and are well satisfied with their returns. In the flats, which Europeans have nearly abandoned, our Mongolian brethren are reapings comparatively rich harvest, being a piece of work, which suits “ John ” all to pieces, he plods steadily along, whether he be making ten Shillings, or ten Founds per week, and I believe he not unfrequently pockets the latter, a shoal of them are expected here in Summer, already they have got the flat pegged out from the crossing to the township, and by and bye, we shall have a Hong Kong and Canton at our doors, we don’t like them, they neither do us nor the country much good. It is surprising that the Nevis for some years has not been more of a fa v ora I ile resort for Europeans, it is unquestionably a large goldfield and only requires population to develop it, many old x evis hands are glad to return after wandering all over the country in quest of something better, Cur winters are certainly sometimes severe, but coals are abundant, and a man, who can make himself otherwise contented, can acquire comfort nearly as cheap as elsewhere. There are yet ten miles of flats and river diggings yet untouched, not to speak of gullies running many miles back, and all, more or less auriferous, there is plenty of room and good chances for ten men for every one we have here at present, and from an experience of seven years I have observed that when this place has been the most pop dons, it has been at the same time to the individual miner, the most urospcious. A thorom hj prospecting for quartzreefs I am convinced would epeediiy he successful. T was shown some specimens last week, which were picked up in a gully, they are thickly studded with gold, and as I know something of leafing, I do not doubt would

run fifty ounces to the ton, and yet nothing is being done in that line here. Perhaps before the Summer passes away I may have to tell you another tale. By the bye, do you live near the Camp at the Dunstaul If so would you he kind enough to tell me (on the quiet you know) if there he any more ground available I have heard that there has been some good finds in that locality lately, and I am sadly in want of a raise. The digging there although somewhat different to that which I have been hitherto accustomed- I am very apt to learn, and would work hard if I thought I could be as successful asthe party who struck that last patch. It might be hut a patch, however.

DRY BREAD. (FROM A COKRESPONirENT.) August 23. The all engrossing topic since my last has been the escort robbery at Clyde. Travellers calling here were eagerly sought out fo give the latest news The catching of the depredators is just as it should be, and every one is pleas d accordingly. The increasing value of mining property in this district is fully borne out by some shares that have recently changed hands. Mr. Magee has disposed of his interest in waterraces, viz., one fourth share in that known as Magee and party’s race, and a thirty second share in the Perseverance water-race Company for £SOO, but as this pr perty will realise about i' 4 per week for many years to come by letting, I should not call it a bad speculation. One eighth share in the Perseverance, also changed hands for £l5O, the lucky purchaser of this share has since been offered £3OO, but has refused to sell. We have received an answer from head quarters in reference to the memorial sent there, anent, a Warden’s Court being held here, hut the powers that be, think the convenience of all parties would be served hv removing the Court house at Black's to this side of the Manuherikia-river, it certainly will bo a deal better, but will fall far short of the requirements of the district, it is to be hoped thev will put it as near half way between this and Blacks’ as possible, as the principle part of the business transacted at Black’s Court-house comes from this district. Mr. Pyle gave an entertainment at the School-house, consisting of an exhibition of “ Dissolving Views ”, he was ably assisted by Mr. Dunn with music. There was a very iar>re attendance. Dr. Carr has also payed us a visit. There has been some excitement to day, owing to an infant, three weeks’ old, being found dead in the bed at night, beside its mother, Mrs. Kimr. An inquest is to he field. CROMWELL FROW OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. August 24, Great excitement still prevails on the subject of the late gold robbery, and the uppermost thought, and everrecurring question, is what will be, done to the offenders? Will Rennie get the reward iVill McLennan he convicted? And many an argument is sustained on the important and all engrossing topic. R> garding our local affairs, I am happy to say that our new Mayor and Council are commencing m earnest and from the first part of the pro- 5 * gramme, great things may be expected, ami 1 have little doubt hut, they will be fulfilled. The amicable settlement of the water question to supply the town has given great satisfaction to all parties. Tenders have been accop eel for a thorough repair of the race, and the works will soon be completed. The election for the office of Town Clerk took place on Monday night. There were four candidates for the situation. Mr Fenwick was elected, so that now an entirely new stock of blood in he Council. At the Bannockburn things are steadily progressing. All hands appear satisfactorily employed on the deep lead. Messrs Bruce, Rhitoul, and party ha e finished their whim, which is most substantially erected. They are at present waiting for timber lor the shaft. A new punt is about to be placed on the Kawarau above Mr. Stuarts thus supplying a long needed want. At Quartz-reef Point all hands are fully employed, with a plentiful supply of the limpid element. At the Low burn I hear that some of the claims are turning out verywell. The late fine weather lias earned ail things to improve, and all look forward to the coming spring with great expectatirns, Great confidence is expressed in the richness and permanence of the reefs, and it is to be hoped expectations will not be disappointed. The exact amount j of gold obtained by the Cromwell Company, who have been working with I one battery since the weather "broke, j has not transpired, but the total amount, I hear, is somewhere about ! five hundred and fifty ounces. Both their batteries will short y b ■ working, when the amount obtai ,ed will very 1 greatly increase our escort returns,