COUNTRY NOTES.

Evening Star, Issue 4178, 18 July 1876, Page 4

COUNTRY NOTES.

{Eramour Exchanges . ) The Roxburgh Bridge is nearly completed, and begins to present a fine appearance.. The contractors state that the entire work of the bridge itself will -be completed within a month. But unfortunately the approaches required appear to be matters which have escaped. tho attention of the Government and their , engineering staff, so that one will; shortly see a fine handsome bridge, built at a cost of about L 7,000, spanning acrioss the Mtilyheux, but for the want of a small bridge over the Teviot and the approaches before, mentioned, it will be in every sense of the term ornamental, but utterly useless,. The Molyneux has been unusually high this winter, retarding mining operations considerably. - The stream is gradually lessening in volume how, but -the beach claimholders cannot expect a long season of remunerative work, as the spring freshets invariably come down in September or Oatober at theilatest. :

A largo sluicing claim opposite the Dumbarton rock on the Molyneux is being opened by Mr T. who owns a share in tka' Hercules.'. water race. The race commands an immense area of gronnd which is to be highly ailriferous, and equally iwyable with the ; bank claims opposite the Statburgh township. - A striking and pleasing example of the benefits of local government was afforded at town of Clyde on- Wednesday last, on tbo accasion of formally-opening the handsome suspension bridge across the Molyneux at that township. The bridge is handsome in appearance, unusually strong, without being heavy-looking, and probably is as good a piece of work as is to bo seen spanning any river in the Province. It was truly remarked on Wednesday that the district had reason to be proud of co nting among its residents men who could under l take and successfully complete works of such magnitude. Naturally enough, the citizens of Clyde considered the opening of ’ the bridge an affair to be celebrated with some demonstration,,,and the appearance,, on the opening day , indicated that -/they bad gone /&bdut it with no ’ sparing brtnd, . ,At tliQ- bour• of beginning - the •eremonies some 500 persons had collected; Cromwell residents mustering very strongly, while other neighboring districts helped to •well: the' number of visitors on the auspicious'occasion. “The Clyde Bridge” was the name given by Mrs 8., Naylor, wife of the Mayor of Clyde,' as the abutments were baptised in a shoWer of sparkling “No. 2,” aecompanied by ringing cheers from the crowd.' After some selections by the Clyde Brass Band—which wasAUgmented by members from the Alexandra and Cromwell bands—the Mayor and Councillors of Clyde and a number of leading residents, repi esenting various parts of the district, took their places on the platform erected close by, ana there for, an hour or two toasts were drunk and speeches made according to the programme prepared. During the proceedings tho popular Barry Nettlefold piloted Cobh’s eoach over the bridge, drawn by six spirited greys, and it may safely be.asserted the redoubiable Harry never before had so heavy a human freight under his care. ' 5 A party of men are about to commence work on the old Conroys reef at Alexandra. Oae of the original shareholders (Mr W. Beattie) has got the promise of sufficient capital to sink a shaft, which will shortly be cenimeneed. A crushing from Messrs Miller and party’s claim higher up the same range, was recently tried at one of tho Garrick range batteries, and turned out remarkably well. The ensuing spring-will sec a large influx of prospectors on the Old Man range, where thore is every indication of good reefs existing.