ALEXANDER RIVER FIND

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1921, Page 1

ALEXANDER RIVER FIND

TALKS WITH THE PRINCIPALS. Interest in the Alexander Reefs , is steadily increasing. A Grey “Star” representative interviewed on the spot several of the principals concerned in the important discovery. Chatting about the find after their return from the Reef on Saturday afternoon, Messrs D. McVicar, H. Lee, Reefton, and Gardner, Auckland, made some interesting remarks. “It was for the purpose of giving Mr Gardner an option over my mining area, that we visited Alexander Rit'er,” said Mr Mc•ar. The trip to the reefs, with the pack up, occupied five hours, and the return to Waiuta 44 hours. Mr McYicar, in all probability, will dispose of his property to Messrs Kingswell arid Gardner. “My terms,” said Mr McVicar, “are £SOOO cash for a twelve months’ option, and £95,000 cash in twelve months, with 50,000 paid-up shares. The company not to be larger than £400,000 with a working capital of 0100,000.” It was Mr Lee’s opinion that the projxirty was even better than anticipated.

le thought the reef would live for ten miles in length. Questioned regarding the route, he said a road could be constructed cheaply from Waiuta, and the country is practically level right to the Alexander River.

Mr Gardner when asked bis opinion of the Alexander Reefs, said he thought they held out great possibilities. He stated that he had made the trip from Auckland specially to see the reefs and acquire an option over the property. Me had extensive experience in and around the Auckland Goldfields District and held an assayer’s position. He is chairman of the Antonio Sluicing Company, Ltd. Asked what he thought of He Vicar and Hurley’s property, Mr Gardner said it was one of the finest propositions he had ever looked at from a surface point of view. There were two reefs running right through tho property which could bo worked cheaply. As for power the Alexander River ran right through the property and would develop more than enough energy. He considered it possible that Alexander River should blossom into a second I’eefton or Waihi. Tbero was an ideal site for a township on the south side of the Alexander River, and the land compared favourably with anything he had seen in the North Island. He thought a very good route could he secured from Waiuta by following tho north bank of the Snowy River for H miles, then crossing at the head of Staircase and Brown’s Creeks; the distance would not be more than three miles. Mr Gardner paid a tribute to the hospitality of the prospectors when lie was living at the cabin. “I think personally,” concluded Mr Gardner, “that the Waiuta route should be adopted, for Waiuta is the nearest settlement, and a big advantage in the matter of supplies.” CLAIMS PEGGED OUT.

Mr George Briggs and mate have returned from Alexander River, wheic they erected a log cabin and pegged out several chains on behalf of a syndicate. Mr Briggs, who is well-known in Waiuta exhibited a piece of quarto and said: “If I strike it rich I’ll give the Waiuta boys a treat.” Mr Briggs commented on the number of visitors to the reefs, who were arriving every day. One visitor spoke of the conditions ruling at Alexander River. Everyone is made welcome. Fish abound in the river, while birds and deer are plentiful. “Nothing could he better,” said the visitor, “while Mr Hurley is a past, master in baking camp-oven bread. Mr Hurley himself candidly admits, that until he found the reef he did not think he had so many friends. Numerous letters have reached him of late making enquiries as to his general welfare and state of health, etc. ,