ALEXANDRA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 192, 12 October 1871, Page 7

ALEXANDRA.

(Fiom our own Correspondent.)

Since my last, the Conroy's battery has been constantly employed crushing their own stone — had a clearing up "on Saturday last, have crushed aWtit 120 tons, but the exact amount of gold they obtained the vulgar public is not allowed to know ; but I have learnt that the amalgam weighed about 241b5., and the gold something like llOozs. I cannot vouch that I am right, but this is all I can learn. Why everything is kept so secret, I am at' a loss to know. I am aware that tbe shareholders expected at least 2oza. per ton, and perhaps the dissappointment has something to do with it. At any rate, the result is so far satisfactory, i he quartz being so easily got. The machinery is also everything that could be desired. Thsy are at present employing some li bands, and I believe it will take them all their time to keep the machinery going.

The original prospectors of the Butchers Gully Reef have again determined to make another start, having increased the number of their shareholders, and have already given orders for pumps and wheel to drain the reef. I have not the least doubt by that this reof will crush more gold per ton that the Oonroy's Reef; but time will solve the problem for them. •The Manujie rikia- Company' are doing better, just now .than fpr some time past, working one string of boxes oil the Molyiiauj:, &nd th& other on the terraces near Insleys, opposite the (ralloway Station. They deserve to

do well, for they have done more prospecting than any other party in the district. The Ovens Company are working one string of boxes on the Molyneux, and the rost of tbe party are starting their now claim -on the Manuherikia River. They have discarded their. new fangled pump, and again taken to the overshot wheel, and I hope soon to chronicle heavy finds l'roin their new claim. They must have laid out a considerable amount of money, having purchased an entire new plant. I hear that the Hit or Miss men have a<ri«eod to join. Messrs. Siramonds and Kuowles by shifting their extensive plant on to the Earn. - cleugh Grand Junction Claim. The Hit or Miss plant is one of the best in the district, including trucks and tramways, and horses, and I have little doubt that I shall be able to report favourably of their doings after they once get to work. Ketfc and party have left the claim ou tbe Halfmile Beach for the season, and are now working their water- at Golden Gully. I thing I informed you in a previous letter that this party is nesvly constituted, the capitalist having sold out to working shareholders. ' From other claims I have nothing new to report further than that every claim is in full work, and I hear no com plaints . Those having claims over the Old Man range intend making a start for that locality before this can get into print. Those owning claims on the Eraser River have already made a start, but I am afraid they will find rather too mnch Bno w to make it pleasant travelling.

I have heard it mooted that our new Library Committee intend making extensive alteration by making the whole Library building ono room. Should they succeed in carrying out the object, they will confer an everlasting benefit on Alexandra and neighbourhood, we having no good room for public entertainments except at a public house, and there are always a few who object to countenance anything held at a public house. (I have been informed that the hall at Clyde is paying 25 per cent, on its cost.)