ALEXANDRA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 189, 21 September 1871, Page 7

ALEXANDRA.

(From our oioa Cur respondent.)

The ownera of bank claims on the Molyneux have been greatly dissappointed this season, as in no ono instance Lave they come up to expectations. The great Half-mile Beach claim has signally failed This claim cost its owners nearly £4000, and as yet has barely paid working expenses, which is mnch to be deplored. This party owns a valuable water-race, taking its rise from Butchers Creek, with which they intend to work a guily known as Golden Gully, opposite the township of Alexandra, and I am of opiuion they will be repaid for their labour. This Company at present consists of tight working members, instead of ono working and three sleeping as formerly, and I believe it is their intention to work the high ground in summer and at the Halfmile Beach in winter. lam firmly of opinior this claim will pay handsomely if properly worked. The Hit or Miss Claim has not turned out as yet enough to pay incidental expenses this season ; but at the" time- the river rose they were about bottoming a- - paddock, and, from prospects obtained, consider it would pay at least £20 per man per week. As yet they have not been able to get the water low enough to take off the bottom, although they have kept the pump going night and day until Tuesday night last, when the high wind blew the water-wheel over, damaging it greatly. I would much like to spe them get a few months' work at this claim, as they are a very persevering parfcy. Several other claims on the Poverty and Gold Beaches have also bottomed, without getting payable gold. It must be understood that those claims <^et payable gold' in ■ seams above water mark, but the "great idea here is the main bottom ; but I am sorry to say in most instances leaving good wages looking for something rich is to meet with disappointment. The dredges (with the exception of the Galatea and Keoi'sage) have done simply nothing. The two mentioned have done exceedingly well, more particularly the Galatea. It is the general opinion that we want more powerful appliances to work the river bed, on account of so many tailings running into the river from the sluicing claims. Green's patent is not considered practical in this part. The water-races are full of water, and the shareholders working away with a will. 1 will give you details of' what they are doing in my next. Conroys and Butchers Gullies tail-races are all in full work and doing well, particularly Mintion and party at the lower end of Butchers -Gully. The Conroys quartz machine started work last week, and had a washing up on Satur- . day last, ha/ing crushed 16 tons, which realisetJ 43 ozs of gold, which is considered satisfactory ; in fact, if it continues, if; will be a fortuna to the lucky shareholders. The next clearing up Twill duly report. Tho Butchers Gully reef is again to be started next week, tho company having been extended to twenty shareholders, instead of eight as formerly. Tue Dunstan Spring Meeting took place on the Bth inst. The weather was anything but favourable, the wind being very high and accompanied by showers of rain. About 2 o'clock p.m. a whirlwind took Dr. Burrows' stable, at the Hospital, clean away, not a vestage of which is in its original place ; one sheet of iron was carried by the wind across the Molyneux River to the Earnscleugh River. K. dray, stationed near the said stables,' was set in motion by the wind, and blown down the hill and into the Hospital building, greatly damaging the same, which is greatly to be deplored, owing to the funds of said Hospital suffering from the withdrawal of a part of the usual subsidy by the Government., As to the races, the first event was a Handicap Hurdle Race, won by Musician ; Maiden Plate, by Master King; Handicap Race, Brunette; Hack" Race, by Moselle, and Hurry Scurry, by Musician. Each race was well contested, but the attendance of visitors was meagre in the extreme ; in fact, I never saw so small a meet on the Dunstan course. The refreshment booth was under the superintendence of Mr. Moore, of the Tarra Yarra Hotel. Drinks, Is, which was not appreciated by tho British public.