ALEXANDRA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 104, 5 February 1870, Page 5

ALEXANDRA.

(From our own Correspondent). On Friday last, the 28th ult., wo were visited with the heaviest rain we have had this season. It commenced about 2 o'clock in the morning, and continued without ceasing until about 6 o'clock in the evening, and it is with regret I have to chroniolo the breaking away of the Manuherikia and Ovens water-races. The proprietors had just completed repairs, caused by the last flood, and were fairly started to work in their claims again, and, I am informed, the damage will be repaired in a few days. At Butcher's and Conroy's Gullies the whole of the tail-races are filled level with the creek, some of which are nearly a mile in length, and from six to fourteen feet in depth, conseqiiently it will be some time before they can be repaired, and again got into working order ; in fact, those two gullies never suffered so much from any previous flood. The reefers at Butcher's Gully are all sinking their shafts, but, as I stated in my last, it will be some time yet before anything definite will be known. Halladay and party on this reef are down nearly 50 feet, but the rock is so very hard that they are making but very little progress ; in*> fact, the contractors for sinking their shaft threw up their contract — they were getting 35s per foot. The shareholders are now sinking it with wages men, working day and night. The Welcome Company are still sinking and carrying the reef I alluded to in my last with them. I perceive you have made a slight error in the ounce per ton — it should have been one and. not ten. Iverson and party at Conroy's are sinking a new shaft further to the east. They have struck several leaders with gold in them, but their object in sinking this new shaft is to try and catch the main body of stone. I hope they will succeed in doing so, as they are a persevering party. The Prince of Wales claim at Tucker Hill is sunk to a depth of 32ft. from the surface. There isngold in the casing the whole way down, and at a depth of 30ft. gold was found in the stone, which is considered by experienced reefers to auger well. There is a report of another reef being found at Bendigo Gully — very rich ; in fact, some go so far as to say it is the richest yet found. I have as yet nothing but rumour for this, so will not vouch for the truth of it. The Aurora Company's machinery is to be set in motion and christened this day, consequently in a very short time they will be startling us with reports of large cakes of gold so long talked about. I trust they will not be disappointed. The company is held in good repute here. Last week Mr Sherwood purchased a seventh share for which he paid £1000. Our friends at Clyde can now boast of a quartz reef very near their township. It is about four feet thick, and- at the depth of 25 feet there is a good prospect of gold in the stone. The shareholders intend getting a trial crushing of 10 tons to test its value. Mr. Ferraud, one of the shareholders/ has already applied to the Warden for a right of water from the Wai Keri Keri Creek, to drive machinery to work this same reef — which, has had. the effect of rousing the farmers in the valley, because, if the right of water be granted to Mr. Ferraud, he will divert it out of the valley altogether, which will deprive the farmers of the use of this water for irrigating their land, and for domestic purposes. The oat crop in this part of the district is nearly all cut, and, as I stated in my last, on the whole it is a light one. At Blacks the fanners are busy cutting hay, and I think next week the whole of the

oat crop in that district will be ready for cutting. Harvest hands are very scarce,, and are demanding from £2 to £2 10s per week and found. What with light crops and high wages, the farmers will require a high price for their oats to have a balance on the right side this year, Thepotatoe crops at Blacks are looking" well,, but there is not the same breadth planted as in former years ; but in the Cromwell district the stalks are withering away before the crop arrives at maturity ; in fact, last week I saw potatoes in that district grown by a friend of mine that more resembled sponges than potatoes. This is attributed to the long drought and hot winds. I fear the rain of Friday last came too late to be of any service. Mr. Chappie, on Saturday, 22nd ult., held his first sale of cattle at Hillhouses' yards, Alexandra. The attendance was' small, but therfc weTe several of the right sort there, for he managed to sell the lot, 56 in number, at an average of £6 each. I account for the attendance being smalL in this way, that at this time of the year the farmers are busy with their harvest, and most of those interested in cattle are-, also interested in land. I am borne out in this by the fact that only one farmer was in attendance.