ALEXANDRA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 492, 22 September 1871, Page 2

ALEXANDRA.

(from our correspondent.) To replace the old primitive spoon dredge at present used in recovering the gold from thebed of the Molyneux, all sorts of schemes are mooted, but, as yet. no one has taken the public fancy ; it is apparent to all who have given the subject the slightest consideration, that manual labor as a motive power, will but for a short time he of any avail in contending against the bodp of tailings that are continually travelling with the stream ; but what is to be substituted in its stead. With some, steam has the preference, others the cm rent, arguments in favor of either there are plenty, but as mere talk will not solve the difficulty, action is necessary, and I am inclined to fall in with the view that co-operation alone will he able to deal with the subject and bring it to an issue; by co-operation I do not mean that any hasty undeveloped scheme should be rushed into, but, that all interested in dredging should form themselves into a body, to calmly and with consideration discuss the question. ; aud, if necessary or deemed advisable, obtain the opinion of scientific or practical men, and of the many plans adduced, select one and have it constructed to test its worth. Were such a course as this pursued, I feel assured tho burden of the experiment would not fall on the shoulders of dredgers alone, niouew would readily be advanced by outsiders. The better plan perhaps, would be to form a joint stock company the shares of which would easily float. It is for the owners of dredges and dredging claims to take the in. itiative, let them tackle the question with earnestness and I reiterate my assurance that, if funds are wanted they will not ask in vain. Now, as to to dredging operations there are only two at work, and from what I can glean though they are on first class ground, they are barely making wages and expenses. Power is wanted, aud without it the tons of the precious metal imprisoned in the Molyneux might as well be in the moon for all the good it will be to those who are now seeking it. The greatest possible proof of tho want of confidence in present appliances was given hero on Monday last, when a fifth share in the Keersage Dredge, the property of tho late John Farley, who, it will be remembered was drowned in the Molyneux a short time since, was knocked

ANTI-CHINESE MEETING AT THE BANNOCKBURN. The largest meeting of miners ever got together at the Bannockburn gathered at Richards’ Hotel on Monday evening the 11th instant to discuss the above mentioned much vexed question. Mr. Hickey, M.P.C., having been voted to the chair, said, he would just mention the cause of the meeting being convened to act in conjunction with the Arrow Miners’ Association, in endeavoring to get the Government to legislate against the wholesale invasion of the province by the Chinese—he did not feel it requisite to go into the pros and cons of the matter fully as the press had ventilated the feelings held by the European miner against their Asiatic confrere. —ho would draw the attention of the meeting to the very systematic way the heathens were possessing themselves of our most valuable water rights and claims, it was a well known fact that Ik the Chinese thoroughly under the grand principle of co-operation in mining, they having one common purse, (in the party) were always able to outbuy their European rival, however, he would n't detain the meeting any longer from proceeding with the business they had met to carry out, at the same time he cou'd not but admit that he was much surprised at not seeing a representative of the press at the meeting, and trusted that the local paper might have more leisure when another public meeting should be called of such vital importance to the district. Mr. Behrens proposed that the following gentlemen be appointed a committee to act in conjunction with the Arrow Association, viz.—Messrs. Smithers, Pryde, Rintoul, Goldsmith, Wilson and the mover. A vote of thanks to the Chairman then closed the proceed’ngs.