ALEXANDRA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 217, 28 March 1872, Page 6

ALEXANDRA.

(From a Correspondent.)

»■ I have several times been informed that the Manuherikia is defunct', but such I find not to be the case. On the contrary, I think that district is one of the most promising on the Gold fields. The time will come, and that -before very long, when the Manuhorikia district will afford profitable employment to ten times the number of miners at present working in it. There is abundance • of auriferous country which will be worked" by large companies ; and with proper machinery I am certain that it will pay handsomely. On the Manuherikia extends

for a distance of seven miles an auri-

feroua flat, known to be payably auriferous from end to end. - Then there is the Manorburn Flat, which has been prospected and found to contain payable gold, and the power requiredto extract it is on the spot. The sluicing country from Chatto Creek down to the town of Alexandra is sufficient to keep a large number of men. at work for twenty years. And on the banks of the Molyneux wages will be obtained for ages. The, main bottom on the Molyneux will be worked when proper appliances are obtained. Hand dredging is pretty nearly exhausted, but' with steam power there is no doubt but that

branch of mining can be prosecuted successfully. From Alexandra to Butchers Creek there are thousands of acres of ground which would yield remunerative returns were water available. Between Butchers Creek and Coal Creek there is an extensive flat, which has been prospected and found to contain the precious metal in quantities sufficient to pay good wages were water obtainable at moderate rates. There are parties at work on this flat now making small wages by cradling their dirt. By next spring it is probable that there will be water in plenty to work Speargrass Flat and the terraces surrounding it. Many

entertain the opinion that Speargrass will be a second Bendigo, both fqr reefing and alluvial working. The flat is a basin, into which discharge a large number of gullies, in all of which has been^- found payable gold. Quartz reefs have been discovered in this locality, aud there seems every hope

that they will be payable. The fact that both outlets of this flat were ex-

eeedingly rich goes a long way to show that it comprises a large extent of payable ground. When the Gorge Creek water race is completed, there will 'be a quantity of water available for working the ground in this district. The race itself I think a first-rate spec, and will pay its spirited owners well. I opine that instead of parties and newspapers' trying to put a damper on this enter-

prise, they should encourage it as much as possible.

At Butcher's Gtafty, the small green parrots, which are rarely seen up country, are getting very numerous. On the Molyneux herons and quails are not increasing very much. The

river does not seem to agree with them. Tt is very seldom they are seen above

the Falls at the Twelve Mile, except at flood times. It is reported that

the quails have taken to the, mountains, water being so scarce in the lower country. At Frenchmans, M'Elroy and party are getting on exceedingly well with their tail race. This tail race has been avgry heavy undertaking, and it

" is to bo hoped the party constructing it will be well repaid for their labour. , The Hit or Miss Company are still holding possession of their claim on

the Point, and will no doubt resume .work if they can arrange for a supply of water on moderate terms. At Alexandra water has been exceedingly scarce, which has rendered the owner thereof exceedingly independent, to the great inconvenience of

those depending for a living on a supply of that element. It is felt that something must be done to bring in water from some other sources.

At the Half-mile Beach, Michael and Co. are making preparations for the winter's work, and -likewise are making good use of the small supply of water they have ou the terraces, from which they are extracting a, fair amount of gold. At Poverty Beach, Noble and Bal-

Jantyne are making the banks look

small. They keep close at their work, and are getting aood returns. Roberts and Co., by their good supply of water and steadfast adherence to the eight hours movement, are receiving good dividends.