ALEXANDRA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume 22, Issue 277, 22 May 1873, Page 6

ALEXANDRA.

(From our own Correspondent.) Until recently we have been very short of water in this district for sluicing purposes— in fact, never since the Uuustan rush have we had so little ruin. At present most of the claims are in work, both at Conroy's and Butcher's gullies, and at Butcher's Point ;■ and, strange to say, almost every claim in short of hands, and none can be obtained. A great many believe f lie river will bo low enough for fossicking this winter ; if so, the employers of labor will have to raiao the wages, or do without men. On the west bank of the river all the claims are in full work, and I believe doing well. Both parties in tie Manuherikia Co. are steadily at work at Inslcy's and near the brewery, and are doing better thau usual. The parties who have leased the Ovens Race from the Corporation, will soon have completed cleaning the same; when done, it will be a great boon to Alexandra to have two streams of water running through its streets. The Eockside claim has been idle for- a length of time for want of water. The present shareholders intend selling out — all, with the exception of one, being non-working shareholders. It has been a good claim, and I believe there is plenty of gold left, but it is ground that requires a large quantity of water to work it. The dredge Galatea is working near the Alexandra coalpit, and making very good wages. This is the only dredge in the district that I know of that is trotting any gold. Siedeborg's steam dredgo is working away, but with indifferent success ; the principle, no doubt, is right, but the machinery is not strong enough. The Pneumatic dredyre is also in full work, and, from what can be heard, will not pay working expenses. This principle, no doubt, is also right, so far as gettiug on to tho bottom of the river dry is concerned. It allows of the bottom being properly cleaned, but from the small quantity of stuff they are able to raise, it would need to be very good to pay. There waa a great talk some time since about a steam dredge capable of lifting and washing 1000 tons per day (including stoppages) being placed on the river between this town and Clyde. I have made enquiries as to the reason of tho 1 delay, and am informed the promoters are waiting to a claim granted before giving ihe order for the dredge (which they are prepared to do as soon as tho claim is granted). The delay in thia instance appears to lie with the surveyor, who, I am informed, will nofc commence the survey until he is paid £15, and even when he «eta paid tho work has to lio over until it is convenient for him to do it. It is always the same tale to tell when you have anything to do with Government. The Dunstan Mining Association, I believe, spent a great deal of time disciiNsinrr the proa and cons as to whether the Alexandra Steam Dredge Co. was entitled to auy but an ordinary claim, ! and ultimately arrived at the conclusion that an ordinary claim was sufficient tor them. lam credibly informed that the claim applied for has been already worked — that is, a portion of it — and the rest prospectod and pronounced nan-paysble by band labor ; and now it is sought by this self-con-stituted body to step in and say, j " You shall have nothing but an ordinary claim, if we can help if." For tho last few years tho cry has been we want capital to assist the working miner to k develop the resources of the district; and no doubt the cry was of the right description, I would: ask, Is it reasonable to suppose that any company will expend £'SOGO without being guaranteed aa extended area of ground 1 I say it is nofc^ and believe the general public will say the same, in spite of the Dunstao Mining- Association. I would advise that body to memorialise the Governor, asking that the whole affairs of the district as regards mining should b# tosfas wss te t&k&t m&

if they obtained their wishes, I make bold to assert that very few miners would be found in the district in a very short time, unless they altered their tono considerably in the shape of encouraging capital in mining speculations. The now proprietor of the Newcastle Coalpit, Mr. Charnock, has been to considerable expense lately improving the property. For tbo purpose of pumping tho mine dry, he has erected a current wheel between two pumps, and conveyed the power on shore on an extensive platform, which answers the purpose admirably. It has a further advantage, that is of saving £150 per year, which used to bo paid the Ovens Co. for water to drive the wheel. I don't; think we will run short of coals this winter as we did last. Tho price is also reduced from 20s. to 15s. at the pit, and from 30s. to 255. delivered, which is a step in the right direction. Bridges over tho Molyneux in our immediate neighbourhood are all the rage just now. Clyde and Roxburgh are doing their best to get a bridge each, whilst the Aloxandraites are quietly lookiug on, and saying, Don't you wish you may get it. For my part I hope they will, and leave Alexandra out in the cold. It would serve them right for tho apathy thoy are displaying. JN T o doubt if the river is bridged at all in this district, it should be at Alexandra. jSTo one knowing the district would ever doubt the correctness of what I say on the matter. I find a letter iv your last issue anent the Alexandra school, signed " A Mother." I must confess I am almost 1 ired of the subject, having before done my best to lay before the public what I considered abuses, and if the seven gentlemen composing the Alexandra School Committee arc- unequal to the task, I don't think it is reasonable that " A Mother " should cxpoct " your own " to grapple with it; but I should certainly recommend " A Mother " to memorialise the Education Board if thero are any grievances that tho Committee will not entertain.