ALEXANDRA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 214, 7 March 1872, Page 6

ALEXANDRA.

(Front onr Own Correspondent.)

The late copious rains have had the beneficial effect of causing a general resumption of work in the whole of the claims in Butchers, Conroys, and the west bank of the Molyneux. Tho rain did not come one moment too soon, as the miners in the localities named had been unable to work for a long time previously. The Manuherikia and Ovens races were not much affected by the drought, and during its continuance contained water sufficient to work with. The Ovens Co. have not yet been able to resume work in the Manuherikia River. One-half of the water in the Manuherikia races is employed in working some ground near the brewery, with, I am informed, satisfactory results. Blackwell and Co. have tackled work after two months' enforced idleness. They obtain their water from the Manorbum, which stream has been exceptionally low of late. They have an acre and a • half of ground stripped, and intend to wash up at once. The Manorburn Flat is being worked by Chinese, to whom sis extended claims and tailraces have been granted, as also havo been two head racps from the Mahuherikia. lam of opinion that the Chinamen will be- well remunerated for their labour. There is still room on this flat for ten or a dozen parties, but I have no doubt it will soon be taken up.

The quartz reef at Conroys is supposed by some to be looking very dickey, but I hold a different opinion. Work ha?, it is true, been suspended, but this is because the water level has been reached, and more machinery is required to drain the reef. Tenders for sinking the shaft fifty feet lower arc to be ealb.l immediately. lam informed, on authority I 'consider reliable, that the reef is? well defined, and expected to go six ounces to tho lon. I would suggest to the share-

holders fiat they form themselves into a registered company, and raise money enough to test the reef to a depth of 300 feet. The general public, I am convinced, would readily subscribe the amount required for that desirable object. Some may say that if the reef has paid the proprietors so well as represented they ought to be able to undertake this work themselves. Now the fact is, there are only six in the company, and they have had to pay all working expenses and for machinery, &c, and I believe there is not a shilling owinjr on the concern. The sooner the character of the reef is tested at a good depth the better for the goldfields and the province generally.

The Butcher's Gully Reef Company have, I hear, appointed a new manager from whom great things are expected. The reef is looking well. The gold-bearing stone is at present very narrow, but shows indications of widening.