ALEXANDRA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue III, 26 May 1870, Page 6

ALEXANDRA.

(From our Own Correspondent.)

The weather lately has been very unsettled, in consequence of which the river is at a higher level than usual at this time of year.

Tn n\y last I informed you that the dredges were about commencing operations. They all made a start for a few days only — the river rising several feet had the effect of knocking them off. However, they have again made another start, and I trust this time with more success.

The Hit or Miss, at Frenchman's Point, are in full work, and the trucks I spoke of in my last are answering well ; in fact, I believe this company will reap a rich harvest this season. The other claims on this point are worked out, but the Hit or Miss Company expect two years Avork before they will have worked the whole of their ground.

Kitt and Co., at Half-mile Beach, are sinking for the bottom, and I hope in my next to be in a position to give you the results^

Stanbrook and party, at Butcher's Point, are preparing to sink for the bottom, but the river as yet ia not low enough for thsm. There are several other claims on the banks of the river opening up this season, but as yet I can give no definite information respecting them, but will do so in a future letter.

The water-races are all running full, and each company are satisfied with their returns. -

The Manuherikia Ground Sluicing Company intend starting their claim opposite the once famous Butler's Point as soon as the water is low enough to do. so. This claim is situated about 400 yards above the junction of the Manuherikia with the Molyneux River, consequently the waters of both rivers interfere with the workings of this claim. This company has already expended over £1000 in material and labour in opening up this ground, and I" trust they will bs remunerated for their perseverance. At Drybread, Tinkers', and Blacks there has been some very good washings lately, but I am not in a position to give you the exact number of ounces, but I know that the miners at those places are doing well, and some of their works are very extensive j in fact, before long some of the companies at Drybread and Tinkera will have to extend their tail-races a considerable distance into the flat below their workings, on account of the accumulation of tailings.

There are a great many Chinamen flocking in here from the Hogburn and other places in anticipation of the river going very low this season ; I hopj they will not ber disappointed. There are three Chinese stores here, consequently the European storekeepers do not reap the same benefit from John as they used to do.

One of your old residents, Mr. Stewart M'Combe, has bought out Mr. M'Donald, butcher at Black's, consequently he is now back in his old shop in connection with the butchery business. He has opened a bakery, and reduced the price of bread from Is. 6d. to Is. per 4-lb loaf. No doubt the price of bread has always been too high on this part of the goldfields ; but there is one thing to be said on behalf of the bakers, namely, there is not consumption enough to allow them to sell at la. per 4-lb loaf, but if there was only one baker instead of, as now, two, it would pay the one better to sell at Is. than it pays the two to sell at Is. 6d. ; at the same time it is no argument that the public should pay the high price because the baker has not trade enough to pay him at a fair price. Meat also has always been high in price up Irre, although the butchers get their beef supplied at from 20s. to 255. per 100 lbs., they still charge as high as 9d. per lb. for roasting beef — the same argument would apply x to the butchers as to the bakers.