ALEXANDRA

Dunstan Times, Issue 957, 20 August 1880, Page 2

ALEXANDRA

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) I have always known that the quartz reef on the slope of the OM Man Range, at the hack of Bahl Hill Flat, the cap of which Messrs White and Mitchell have been sluicing away for the past few years, was valuable, hut I really did not think the owners valued it so highly. The cat was fairly let out of the hag the other day when Mr James White bought out his partner’s interest, giving either four hundred and fifty or five hundred pounds, I am not certain which, but I am most reliably informed It was one or the other. Now this sale opens up a question times out of number referred to in your columns, as to whether the slope of the Old Man Range is not worthy of more attention being bestowed on it than it has hitherto received at the hands of miners. Beyond the fact that the outcrop of the reef is on one of the spurs bounding Chamouni Creek (which by the bye has from time to time for many years past yielded highly payable returns), the surface indications are no different than exist in many parts. The reason therefore why the locality has been neglected is a riddle not easily solved The fact in itself that the only claim on the range side is worth LIOOJ, should be inducement sufficient for further prospecting to trace either the present discovery or to find fresh lodes'at the head of either Conroys, Butcher’s, or Blackman’s Cullies, all of which have turned out, and in fact still are turning out, large quantities of gold. I spoke above of Chamouni Creek turning out good go'd, and this fact is supported by the sale of a half-share in a claim the other day by James Fish to Mr Mitchell for 1.500. It was not generally known the claims were so valuable, though they were acknowledged to be payable, and the sales have opened people's eyes amazingly ; whether the surprise will stir the people into activity time alone will tell, but it really is to be hoped after the first shock is passed they will not allow themselves to

fall into the ohl lethargic state they had allowed themselves to be aroused from for a time. That gold in paying quantities is to he found in this locality there is no doubt, and it requires but the least spice of energy to bring it to light. Ido not know exactly what progress the shareholders of the Conroy’s reef are making towards the formation of the proposed company, but the foregoing facts should materially assist them. Convoy's reef, and what may fairly be called James White’s reef, are on the same line of range, and but a few miles apart, and should establish a conlidence in the district. In Chamouni Creek, about three parts of a mile below the claim Mr Mitchell has bought into, there are other claims at work. Grey and Lithgoe, Carroll and party, and Webb and Sorrensen being the owners. I know nothing, howcvei, about the returns from one or other, but as each claim is worked continuously and systematically, no other conclusion can be arrived at than that they are paying well. While dealing with Bald Hill Flat and neighborhood, L may mention casually that the farmers are quite in good heart at the line weather, and look forward to a bountiful harvest. The rabbit pest is decidedly less than what it was, but still it is a dreadful thing to contend against. Amongst themselves the residents on the Flat are united in their efforts against the enemy. But all they may do is but of little avail when the surrounding runholders do so little. Mr Fraser, of Earnscleugh, is straining every point, but his neighbors, those especially on the top of the Old Man Range, are doing nothing, and by the droves that aie still to be seen, one would imagine that for every one killed two distant members of the family come to hold high carnival over its remains. The new settlers on Earnsoleu ;h Flat are all busily engaged fencing, ploughing, planting, and building, and in a very few years wo may expect this weary waste will be converted into a scene of plenty and happiness. The The settlers are all of the right stamp, and it will be passing strange to me if they do not do well.

Of Alexandra proper thero is really nothing to chronicle, if I may except that it is decided to hold tho usual Spring Meeting, and to give away in prises somo L7O. These little meetings do a deal cjf good ; a good day’s sport not alone relieves the monotony of life in thesc-parts, but induces many to go in for breeding a good back who otherwise would not think of such a thing. 1 would remark here, par parenthesis, that I hear “ Roebuck" will travel this season in the district. Somo of the best stock

about are his, and as he has been absent a good few years a further infusion of his blood will ho acceptable. The bridge I think is my last topic to touch on. I may then say au rcooiv. Well the works in connection with this stupendous structure are slowly but surely going ahead, no great outward show is being made just now, but I notice the material for the superstructure is fast arriving on the ground, and every one knows that when the work of putting that together once starts it will soon look something, the piles for the foundation of the easters approach are on the ground ami the steam engine is in position to drive them home, a great deal of iron work is also on the ground and grand strong work it appears to be, Davidson & Co. Dunedin are the makers of it and faithful work they have evidently done.