ALEXANDRA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 580, 30 May 1873, Page 2

ALEXANDRA.

—o—(from our correspondent,) May 29, 1873. The rain in the Valleys and the snow on rattghs that has fallen during the past week, has set at rest the question of want of water, the miners now being supplied to their hearts’ content, having plenty, and, may be, a little more. It is an old saying, “it never rains, but it pours,’ and 1 think never more vended than just now. For months past not a drop of rain has fallen to queued the parching thirst of the country, and the universal wail from agriculturist and miner has been “ give us water ” —at length the long wished for rain (has come, but the question arises, is it not an overdose, we are now supplied with ? In some instances this may be the case, individuals may sutler, but the mass will benefit, therefore, the general verdict must be “ highly satisfactory.’ With the rain however, has come winter, as indicated by 'he thick layer of snow that has fallen on the ranges ; no precedent however is to the fore, that though snow has fallen, frosts imme Lately follows. I may therefore hope for a lengthened dry season, and if we are favored with one, I must prognosticate a very successful one, as all the various parties of miners who depend on water as the motive agent in the extraction of gold are thoroughly prepired to cope with any quantity. For the want of water this district has suffered in equal proportion to any in the province, and has consequently sunk-into insignificance, out of this straight, however, 1 am not afraid hut that we .'hall drag out selves, and occupy as proud a position in the estimat’on of onr coming member, as Tinker’s Gnlly and Cromwell does in that of our past. The frequent mention by our late member of Alexandra and its requirements, has raised that gentleman in the minds of a many? and I do not know if lie prrsnits himself, bub he may receive here thegoi.se egg, presented to his opponent at the last election, and to which he refe:s in Ids letter to a con temporary of yout’s. lam afraid lam diverging from the path of a correspondent, and venturing on forbidden ground by touching on politics, but lam a Scotchman, and what is in me must come cut, therefore 1 beg your excuses. Whilst on the auhjcc of polities, I may, however, mention what I hear, but as it is merely hearsay, you must take it for what it is worth, The first rumor that reached me was that Mr. W. Green! ank, of Diyl read, intends seeking senatorial honors, the second that Mr. John Cole Chappie is ambitious to have M.P.C. tacked on to bis shirt collar, last, but not least, that Mr. Vincent Pykc ini ends to enter the political career, and offer himself as a candidate for the Dunstan District. I would particularly remind you there is no certainty of one or other of the afore-men-tioned gentlemen presenting themselves, but in the event of their doing so, I would offer ono piece of advice, “ make no hasty promises. ” I may however tell you a certainty, Mr. T. L. Shepherd is to present hims: If, therefore, there will be no lack of material to choose from, and if an unsatisfactory Member is returned, it will be more the fault of the voters than the candidates. This is a d'gression I must admit, but I am somewhat pleased the subject presented itself as lam really stumped for news, so must bid yon good e'en and say, put that in your pipe and smoke it. MINING ITEMo. —o— COMMUNICATED. The plcntifnl.snpply of water at the command of the miners has produced a marked change. The only drawback, now, is the want of labor, w inch is scarce in fact, as not to be obtained. On this account the parties working in the deep ground are much inconvenienced. From w hat I hear, steady employment for about a dozen men is open. The gale on Monday last blew down a portion of the fl liming that conveys the water on t.o the wheel of the Hit or Miss Company, Sandy Point. The accident—though appearing serious at the time—was of service, as the paddock became filled with water before the river rose to fiow into it. This Company have a great body of water to contend against. They are putting intolheir paddock another pump by theaidof which they expect to be able to beat the water, and reach the golden strata. Knowles and Company, at the mouth of the Fraser River, were not inconvenienced by the flood Being short-handed, they are unable to make much headway. However the bottom of the opening paddock is expected to he cleaned in about a week. The claim this party have possession of was, some few years back, tested so far as to prove it being very rich ; hut, owing to the great body of water to contend against and the want of proper appliances, had to be abandoned. In the hands of the present owners, who have a first-class plant for draining and woiking the ground, weather permitting, it will be worked.