OF THE MINING SURVEYORS - parliament.vic.gov.au

i .J

'18.64-:5.

VICTORIA.

.: ,

REPORTS

OF THE

MINING SURVEYORS

AND

R E-G 1ST R A R So.

QUARTER' ENDING· 30TH JUNE,' 1865.

l'BEi'5ENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY'S COMMAND.

til! autborilp:

JOHN FERRES, GOVERNMENT PRINTER. MEI.BOURNE.

~o, 69.

cost. of Preparation, aOOut J'l'Intlng,&C. ••

..

APPROXIMATE COST OF REPORTS.

DETAILED PARTICULARS.

TOTAL

--_._-

£

• .. \MOl1NT.

£ s. d. i 10 0

81 16 4

B9 /,

. i SUMMARY.-GOLD MINING STATISTICS FOR THE QUARTER EN~ING 30TH JUNE, 1865.

.. TABLE showing approximately the NUMBER' OF MINERS employed, the MACHINERY in 'use 'and its Value, on thJ several Gold Fields in the Colony of Victoria . Compiled from the Mining Surveyors and Registrars' Reports for the Quarter ending'130th June, 1865.

DISTRICT, DIVISION,

AND

SUBDIVISION.

'Alluvial Miners. Quai:tz Miners.

. ~

I ~ <;) ?'l

Total Steam Engines Number of employedWinding,

Pumping, &c.

J Miners.

No. Aggregate

Horsepower.

PrIce of Gold

---------I--I-=--- --1----1--

BALLARAT: No. I •• •• No.2.. •• No.3'.. •• No.4.. •• No. '" Bunlnyong •• No, 6, Smythesdale Cr<lIlwick ., •• Gordon ., ., Steiglitz •• •• Blackwood Blue Mountain Soutb

Totals ••

BEECBWORTH: Beechworth •• Stanley.. •• Yackandaodah, &e. Sandy Creek •• Indigo •• •• Buckland.. ., Crooked River, &e. Jordan Nortb •• Jordan South-· •• Ome~ Central •• Snowy Creek ••

Totals ••

SA~"DHURST: / Kangaroo Flat •• •• • • Eaglehawk, &e. •• • • •• Klimore •• ., ., .• HeatheOte and Warang .. Soutb ,. Waranga North.. •• .. Raywood... .. .. ..

Totals ..

MARYBOROUGH: Maryborongh •• ., .. Amherst .. •• .. .. Avoca. ... ... ... .~

Dunolly .. •• .. •• Korong .. ,. ., :. Redbauk and st. Arnaud Soutb .• St. Arnaud North ....

1,740 40 \ ., 1,1S0 65 910 65 12 '2 .. ., .. •• •• •• .. •• .. .. 1 ' 50 .. .. .. •• •• .. 24 5:'000" I~ f ;9 ~. 120 570 '735 ,.. 1,42" 2 22 52 2 .. .. " .. .. .. .. •• .. .. •• 11 352 .. 4 .. .. .. •• 166 34,200 I' Ii 4 0 0 375 408 111.. 954 10 129 68 20 .. .. .. .. .. .. ,. .. .. •• .. 16 \ 304 .. .. .. .. •• ., 128 '5.,000 3! 4 00

2,141 686 180' 8 3,015 45 1,106 86 ,5 2 •• .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6 10 7 I 1~7 .. 5.. .. .. 6 162 80,368 8 4 1 6 1,950 300 240... 2,490 36 550 45 35 .. .. •• .. .. •• .. .. .. .. •• 12 255 •• .. .. .. .. .. 88 60,000 14 3 ]9 0 2190 600 80.. 3,410 82 1,620 84 I 21 •• •• .. .. .. ...... 6 ! 1'40 .. 40 80,000 11 4;) 0 1:100 /800510.. 2,470 19 288 110 32 6 .. .. .. .. .. .. :: .. 26 :: 29 I 610 :: .. :: :: :: .. 184 W,200 8! 3 186

81 " 30.. III I 8 4.. I .. .. .', •• .. .. •• .. .. .. 3 1 52 .. 3.. •• ," .. 43 9,000 9l1t;. 3 19 6 113 I 100 521.. 740,.6 145 .... ,. .. .. •• .. .. .. •• .. .. 21 I 284 •• ..' .. .... 170 56,500 3180 635 480 242 ,. 1,357' I Iv 2 I •• " .. 4 .. .. •• .. .. .. •• ,9 ( 161 10 g .. 10 .. ,. 154 29,400 ,. 3 16 0 45.. 15.. 60.. .. 2.... 4...............,....,...........· __ ._. _1-__ 1_OO._ii-c_"_1 3 17 0 ------ -------------1------ ---;--i ---------

11,090 3,984' 2,790 8 17,872 267 4,793 578 128 11'.. 4 4 32, 10 121 2,371\ 10 20 10 6 1,11l9 563,768 GaH i- --' ----- - 1- ---- - --1---1---':::=-1

,I

847 1,050 ISIl.. 2,062 17 177 4 12 5'.. 200 31 20 57 2,800 •• .. .. .. 2 26 6 .. .. 4 .. •• SO 27,300 J4 3O'.l 276 43.. 621.. .. 15..........,........,.... ! ! 12 ,. .. .. .. .. .. S 6,000 12!

1,100 550 84.. 1,734.. .. .......... 40 .. .... .,.... I 8 3 .. .. 3 .. .. 28 4,000 9

!i~ l.m! I~:: I,~i 3~ 4~ ~~ ~~ ~~ :: :: 9~ :~ :~ :: :~ :: :: ::': :~:~::.::'~:::: :~i :t~~ 6!~ 254 120 868.. 1,242.. • • ...,.......,.............. 7 96 2 .. .. 2 .. .. 82 22,000 20l 649 210 2,431.. 3,290.. .. 1........................ 6 109 18 .. .. 18 .. •• 243 61,100 35J! 686 208 1,606 6 2,506.. .. ...... ,. .. 28 .. .. 200 .. .. .. .. 8 94 2 •• .. 2 .. .. 106 29,300 1~· 140 250 20.. 410 II.. .. .. '2' 5.. .. .. .. .. 24 250 .. .. .. .. .. I .. .. .. .. .. I.. .. •. 750 5 231 60 .. .. 291 .... .......... 7 500 .. ,. .. .... .. .. .. .. .. .. .... 600 21'

-----1- -------- -- --1----,---1---------------1-5,158 4,500 5,411 ' 6 15,07v, fi3 650 90 50 42 •• 200 199 28 93 3.750 36 503 40 38 . .. 752 252,150

!-~--i- -1- - ----1--'----------------------------!~ 900 700 1 1,200.. 2,800.. .. 510 .. 'I .... 32 845 I .. 513 85,000 61

3,Il0 570 1,817.. 4,997 28 311 324 ••••• 225 26 547 .. .. .. 289 120,000 ~ 403.. 129,. 532.. .. [I........ 1 .. .. 80 .. .. .. .. 8 90.......... 64 7,715 30 750 70 '450.. 1,270 ,. •• 65.......,.......... .. ., .. 16 330 4 15 •• •• ., '1 101 39,650 80 lOG 88 049.. ~43.. .. 54 6 15 •• .. .. •• .. •• .. .. .. .. 7 82 :.. .. .. .. .. .. 78 17,000 9

1,300 ,,0 150.. 1,500.. .. 45 .. ...... ...... .. 3 36 .......... 36 7,650 50 --. :-~I----- ---·--1-1------ 1- i- - ------,,- ---------

6,569: 1,478 3,795 il,842 28 3ll 1,007 6 15 I 80.. 225 99 1,930 15 7 1,081 217,015 IS2i -- -------- -- - ~ - - - -2,580 1,500 650.. 4,730 16 263 305 110 .. •• .. .. ,. .. .. .. .. .. •• 10 170.. .. .. .. .. .. 170 50,500 If 3,050 375 360,.. 3,785 15 275 318 M .. .. ., •• 2.. 27 .. •• .. .. 6 101 .. 10 .. .. .. .. 44 2,5,200 3-

900 600 10., I ,'JIO 6 141 85,.. .. •• 35 .. .. •• .. ' •• 2 .. .. 1 I} 1 .. •• .. .. .. 8 10,000 n 2,320 400 540 .. , 3,260 6 77 220 16 .. .. .. .. ,. •• .. .. .. .. •• 29 424.. 12 .. .. .. •• 212 52,000 I lsi 1,050 500 950.. 2,500.. •• 95 1 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. •• .. 21 300.. 25 .. .. .. 25 147 30,000 30'

680 20 250.. 950 I 10 16 .. .. .. .. .. ., .. .. •• .. .. .. 4 65.. 4 •• \.. •• .. 26 1,ISO 9l 438 157 168.. 763 1 10 16 .. 4 ........ .... 7 106 7 17 .. ' .... 78 17,900 5it

3 190 3190 3186 3119 3 190' 3 173 3 19 0 3 50 3 15 0 3 80 3 50

3 18 0 3160 3 15 0 3 150 3 166 3 17 6

4 00 3 18 6 3 146 3 186 3 17 6 3 17 6 3'00

£ s.d. 4 1 6 4 I C 4 1;) 4 23 4 06 4 00 4 00 4 06 4 00 3 17 0 3173

4 00 3 196 3 190 3120 3 196 3 17 9 4 1;) :I 190 3 15 6 3 17 6 8 12 ;)

3 180 318 ;) 3 160 4 00 3 19 9 3186

4 I 6 3190' 4 ;) 6 4 06 3 18 6 3186 4 1 0

Totals. , ----, ----------1-- -- '- 1- - ----- ~

.. 11,018 3,552 ' 2,928 .. 17,498 45 716 1,055 182 .. .. 39 .. 2 27.. 2 78 1,172' 8 68 .. .. .. 25 685 186,750 "fi

CASTLEMAlNE : CasUemaine ., Fryer's Creek ., Hepburn .. " Taradale .. .. 1I1aldoD .. •• St. Andrew's t .. Blue Mouutain Nortb

Totals ..

ARARAT: Ar ... at .. Pleasant Oreelt " Raglim •• Barkly "

GnAND TOTALS

- - -,-- --- 1- - --1,025 1,430 436.. 2,891 6 96 2,,8,/.. .. .. .. .. .. •• 3 18 .. 27 464 27 .. .. •• .. .. 286 68,000 9 1,527 I,MI 154.. 3,232 9 159 236, 8 24 75 III 6 ..!.. .. .. ..' 88 .. 7 101 .. 4.. .. •• 22 62 41,200 28! 5,245 750 820 •• 6,815 23 ,,93 230 52 .. .. •• .. .. I" .. .. .. .. .. 30 506 3 58 .. .. .. .. 296 75,730 49

387 288 103.. 778, 8 106 16 8 2 •• .. 1 .. •• .. .. I .. .. 9 97.. 3.. •• .. .. 'SO 15,000 19 577 759 583.. 1,919 I 10 74.. ., 15 3 .. .... 5.. .. SO 606 43..., 6 .. 312 !S7,850 9l ~~; .. 74 ~~~:: l,~;~'6 ';'0 i~ ; .~ ::. 'f, .~ :: '5 :: :: .. :: :: i ~ ~ '2 '2 .~ :: :: 5~ ~:~~g I~i

.. 10,127 4,852 2:5lo -- "'17.489' 53 ~'i'4 857 73. ,34 75 131 II -" --- 5 1----;- 106 ill ~ 34- 110--; --1- --6-, 22l,094 -;;:000 ~ 1- 1----' 1- 1- ------------1---

700 720 150.. 1,570 4 42 50 8 I" .. 250 .. .. .. .. •• .. •• .. 7 101' ..'........ 52 14,500 3~ 766 280 480.. 1,526 5 66 II 7 10 .. 99 .. .. .. 36.. 5 .. .. 18 338 <>3 26 9 236 61 200 1I~

~~~ ~~ .. :: i;~ci Ii I~~ ~~ ~ ~ :: 100 :: :: :: 'j2 :: 'j 1~ :::: :: :I~- :: :: .. .. :::: i~gg lill --1-1- ----------- -- 1- '- '---1--1---- --1- 1---- 1-

2,950 1,710 630 •• 5,290 25 '280 140 39 17 .. 449 .. .. .. 48.. 6 20 .. 20 439 23 26'.. 91 288 88,100 63!! 1----\--------- J---I----I-:--·------I- --1-- 1- 1-

46,912 20,076118,064 14 85,066 471 7,824 3,727 478 119 75 8~ 215 30 98 13,905 5 12 3S3 10 465 8,279 'U9 239 2 49 6 69 5,059 1,656,783 ~98f.

3 15 3 3 17 6 3 15 3 3 18 0 3 16 0 ,3 18 3 3173 3176 3 I7 613 19 3 3 15 0 4 00 3 17 0 3 17 3

a 17 6 3 17 9 3 16 0 3 '17 6 3 180 3 18 6 3 16 9 3 17 9

•• l'hree of tbe Mining Registrars for tbIIl subdivisIon having failed to furnish reports, tbe' information ,has been compll0d from the latest returns recelyed. ' ' ,

t The Mining Surveyor for tbe St. Andrew's West subdlvl.sion having flllled to furnl,h a report, the Information has been taken from

U No return of tbe number of miners at the Sandy's Creek and MerrlJig Diggings has be"" received. The nnmber returned for the last qnarter was 130, which I.s not included In this total.

• The Mining Registrars in tb* C&ile.S hilve returned tbe a.iJnviaJ ground only. his returns for the previOWI quarter. '

Mining Department, Melbourne, 10th July, 1865. No. 49*

R. BROUGH SMYTH, Secretary for Mines.

MINING SURVEYORS AND REGISTRARS? "',

REPORTSo

BALLARAT MINING DISTRICT.

No. 1 DIVISION.

ll:fr. Robert lJavidson, Mining Surveyor and Registrar.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS IS AS FOLLO')VS:-

E11l'Opea.ns. Chinese. Total for the ' :B.ematlm. Division..

Alluvial Miners ... ... 1,740 '40 1,780

Quartz Miners .. ... . .. ... ... . ..

Totals ... / 1,740 1,780 I ,

40 I

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS IS THUS DISTRIBUTED:-

Frenchman's Lead Woolshed Lead Golden Point Lead Redan Lead ... Inkermann Lead Swamp Lead ... Suburban Lead Dead Horse Lead

135 Inkermaun Gully 60 White Flat .. .

550 Sago Hill .. . 115 Campbell's Gully 235 Bunker's Hill ...

45 Sailor's Gully 80

110

THE MACHINERY IS AS FOLLOWS:-

ALlilTVIAL MI:ilING.

'_._ .. -

Total

QUA.Jm!; liIJJmrG.

51 44

100 '60 145 50

1,780

I Description of MaohinIll'Y.

AtWorlr. I: ! I Aggregate Number I ~te At Work. Idle. .=~:r. Idle. ofBtamp HOiS&-c.::

Heads •. Steam -~~ .. ~-

Steam Engines ... 60 /) 910 . .. 1 24 50

Puddling Machines ... 62 3 ... ... ... . .. .. . Whims ... ... JO 2 . .. . .. ... ... .. . Whips ... ... 1 1 ... ... .. . ... ...

Total value of mining plant in the division, £50,000.

Number of square miles of auriferous ground which is being, or may have been, actuaJly worked ~~, .

Number of distinct quartz reefs which have been actually proved to be auriferous . to the present time, 5.

The price of gold during the quarter in the division has been fr9m £3 19s. to £4 Is. 6d. per oz. r

4

I have the honor to state, that during the quarter, mining operations have been pUrsued with an equal amount of interest as heretofore. .

. In several instances extraordinarily large yields of gold have been obtained, while the average of the companies' returns is fully up to that of the previous quarter. Another important item in this quarter's report is, the bottoming of three bores, sunk by the Band of Hope Company, for the purpose of asceIia,ining th~ cour~e of the Golde!! Point Lead beyond its at present proved!' osition. These bores were sunk III an east and west lme, between the Band of Hope No.2, an the St. George Company's shafts, and bottomed at a level very much shallower than the ascertained depth of the' lead. The inference drawn from the result of these operations is, that the Golden Point Lead must trend much more westwardly than was previously anticipated.

The Band of Hope Company are persevering with the work of proving the course of the lead, and are still sinking bores with that object. Three bores are at present in operation, to the west of those already bottomed, and I believe the company intend following out this very effective style of work until the much vexed question of the ultimate course of the Golden Point Lead is thoroughly proved.

The St. George Company, Woolshed Lead, has sunk through th~ fourth rock, whicl:J.proved to be 74 feet thick, and they are now sinking in soft black clay. The depth of the shaft is 380 feet, and the company anticipate being in auriferous ground within a fortnight. "

, The Great North·West Company, Dead Horse Lead, are still sinking in rock, and are progres's. ing favorably, the result in a great measure of having a very efficient plant, as the quantity of watoc to be contended with is very great. .

The Band of Hope Company obtained 11,581 Qzs. 10 dwts. of gold for the past quarter, while the yield of the Great Extended Company, for the same period, amounts to 4,929 ozs.

The Roh-i·nor Gold 'Mining Company's,returns'amount to 8,198 ozs. 11 dwts., and the Albion Company, 2,837 ozs. 10 dwts. '

In consequence, of the absence of the manager of the qosmopolitan Cqmpany, I have not been able to ascertain tliel'amount1of,)gold,raised" by the 'company for. the lastiqilarter.::·"

The Spes Bona Company raised 245 OZS., being the return for two months' work. On the Dead Horse Lead, the Ballarat Extension Company obtained 294 ozs., principally from

their western workings. . The Essex Company obtained, during the quarter, 845 ozs. 15 dwts. '

'" , ." .!f!here is'not'at'present any quartz mining in this division •. ,,'

Alluvial Miners Quartz Miners

, . ~ ;~ .,

No. 2 DIVISION.

Mr. P. 0. Fitz Patrick, Mvning 8u'l'veyor and Regist'l'a'1'.

Totals

THB TOTAL NUMBER of 'MINERS IS. AS POLLOWS:,

I I I

Europeans.' Ohlnese.

120 570 735

855 570 "

Total for the Division. ,

690 735

1,425

THB' TOTAL NUMBER OP MINERS IS THUS DISTRIBUTED:-

.~. I .,

Black Hill ... 36

7300 I SP.,rin, gs. I , Little Bendigo ... •.. ' J

Deail HQ!'l~~Gully and vicinity... 180 . Total

245

.... " 1,425

.~l.:.{o;,· 'l i;-.: <"' • \ THE MACHINERY IS AS FOLLOWS:-

ALLUVIAL Ml.NING. " ,'I • I

':-W-!-;-k.~-I-d1-e-·--;--~--:-~-:-grc-T-W-~-~s-~-I-w-~-tk~ ... -;I-Id-le-·-I;-"o-t-~-':.-~-p~I~~-Io-:-.!"'-~-~-~:a-.~e-~f-.<

S-t-e-am-E-' n-g-in-e-s-e-m-p-IO-y-e-d":'m-p-um-p-'-:----2- 22 " '.1.. ·1·,·· . '

. ,,-;:;-::;.-:--;,-",,;,,:;:' .- . -::~:~ ~-.. ' '''''J)oocrlPtiOll otM8cl.!nel'1.

mg, winding, puddling, &c. Whims ... 1 Puddling Machines .•. I 43 Steam . Engines emplQyed in

crushing, winding, and pump-ing, &c." . '''''' Whims

1 9

16 '

.; .2

166 352

~ • ~. ~ -, .. , "" ~ ,j 1, " c'. " . . Total value of mining plant in the division, £34,200. , Number of square miles of auriferous ground which is being, or may have been, actually worked

upon,lt~~ber' of distinct quartz reefs which have bllen ac~u~ll;:' ~;~ved' to be auriferous. to·' the

prese~~~~;~~"or gold'cdurittg the quarter in the' division has been. frdm £4 to '£4'! 1~; per' oz:':

.5

T:a:E FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS BEEN OBTAINED RELATIVE TO THE QUA~TITY OF QUARTZ AND ALLUVIUM AND SCHIST CRUSHED DURING THE QUARTER, AND THE GOLD OBTAINED

THEREFROM.

~

,

. '. ,:Nruite of ComplmY. 'Where QU'artz, &0., were¥.' . . . I :Aveiaie,'

Qua.rtz crushed. Yield of Gold . Total Yield RemarkJl relative to th

obtained, of Gold. , DepthatwhichtheQna was obtaineu. per Ton.

--_.------

ton ewt. qr. ~z. dwt. gr. 1 oz. dwt, gt'.

Black Hill Co. ... Black Hill . .. 3,822 0 0 .0 3 2U: 596 0 ,0 120 feet deep' Independent Co. ... Ditto ... . .. 3,650 0 0 '0 1 lui 194 15 23 100 feet deep Temperance Co. ... Little Bendigo . .., 700 O. 0 10 8 21J I 311 18 0 360 feet deep Sisters' Co. ... ... Ditto ... . .. 1,308 0 0 o 6 203 ! 448 12'0 463 feet deep Band of Hope Co. ... Ditto ... . .. 420 0 0 o 6 Ob 126 2 0 350 feet deep One and All Co. ... Ditto ... . .. 364 0 0 o 16 2Of. 306 16 14 350 feet deep Little Bendigo Co. ' ... Ditto ... . .. 180 0 0 0 6 15! 59 14 ;0 120 feet deep

I Total, Quartz ... 10,444 0 0 0 3 22 2,043 18 J3

I , Alluvium and Schist "--I crushed.

Two Ton Co. ... BlaCk Hill . .. 1,000 0 O. 0 1 16! 85 0,,0

I " , .' Total, Alluvium. aJ;ld -} 1,000 "0 o ill i6!' .', '85

, ,

Schist 0 0 o·

, I .- ." "

I ' The Majestic and Two Ton Companies are puddling and crushing the I"lluvial and the schist

from the quartz claims on the Black Hill; . I , .

No.3 DIVISION.

NT. Thomas COWOln, MVning S'/lh"lJeyoT and Reg#t'l'a'l'.

T:a:E TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS 18 AS FOLLOWS:-

.. ". Total for the

.. Europeans. Chinese. Di'rision; Remarks.

Alluvial Miners ... ... 375 408 783

Quartz Miners ... ... 171 . .. 171

Totals ... 546 408 954

Gum-tree Flat Golden Point... . . Old Post Office Hill Poverty Point ReQ, Streak '!" Specimen Gully Black Hill :Flat' Eureka Caledonian Lady Barkly ...

. Brown Hill Flat Ashe's Lead .. . Clayton's Hill .. . Pennyweight Flat Dalton's Flat ...

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF .MI:N.iIlRS IS THUS DISTBIBU'l'lID:-

I'" ... ,

60 38 45 50 23 38 32 50 70 15 30

9 30 35 54

. ,

Smclair's Hill Canadian ... Madman's Flat New Chum ...

"". !

Sailbr's Gully ... Pril'1ce Regent· ". Terrible Gully . .. ... Miner's Right and Mount Pleasant White Flat and Malakoff Navvy Jack ... Temperance Lead

28 51 51 41 28 40 :26 25 29 16 40

954

Description of Machinery.

Steam Engines employed in wind-ing and crushin'g ...

Horse Puddling Machines

Steam Puddling Machines

Whims

6


At Work.

5

36

7

14

Idle.

5

15

10

6

Aggregate Hors<>-power of At Work. Steam Engines.

129 9

QUA.RTZ l'I1INING.

Idle."

7 128 304

Total value of minin~ plant in the division, £53;000. . -Number of square miles of auriferous ground which is being, or may have been, actually worked

~~ . . :Number of distinct quartz reefs which have been actually proved to be auriferous to the present

time,6. ._ The price of gold during the quarter in thc division has been from £4 to £4 Is. per oz.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS BEEN OBTAINED RELATIVE TO THE QUANTITY OF QUARTZ AND QUARTZ TAILINGS ORUSHED DURING THE QUARTER, AND 'fHE GOLD OBTAINED THEREFROM.

I Aver~e Name of Company. Where :' &c., were Quartz crushed. Yield of Gold

_____ ~ ____ . __ .~o _·_e_d_. ---i-----I ' parTon.

T . IRemarkS . relative . to the ot&l Y,eld of Depth at wbich the Quartz

Gold. . was obto.ined.

Union Old Post Office Hill Endeavor Britannia Llanberris

'Quartz Ta.ilings crushed.

Good Friday

Golden Point , Old Post Office Hili Specimen Gully Ditto Gum-tr~'Flat .. :.

Total, Quartz

Specimen GuUy ... Total, Quartz }

Tailings

ton owt. Qr'l oz. dwt. gr.

1,400 0 0 0 2 6~ 2,200 0 0 0 3123

800 0 0 0 3 0 600 0 0 0 4 1~

1,584 0 0 0 8 5:l

6;584- 0 0 0 4 8fr 1---"-

~~~I 0 o 12~ 1

1,500 0 O· 0 o 12! I I

oz. dwt. gr.

158 17 0 90 feet 386 0 0 40 to 140 feet 120 0 0 70 feet 122 0 0 90 feet 651 2 12 270 feet

1,437 19 12

40 0 0 from surface to 11 ft.

40 0 0

I have the honor to forward the following report of mining operations in my division during the quarter.

,ALLUVIAL MINING.

~l.'he Red Streak Company, Red ·Streak. Since the date of last report, this company have continued prospecting operations, and have

discovered. four quartz reefs, varying from 3 to 5 feet in thickness. Fifty -eight tons of quartz from these reefs have been crushed, the yield being 12 ounces of gold. About a fortnight since operations were suspended with a view to the increase of the capital of the company, in' order to the procuring of a crushing battery. . .

The B(JI}'lcly Compan:lj, Ba4'lcly Lead. This company has ceased operations with a view to the increase of the company's capital.

The Blue Jacket Company, G!tm-tree Flat. This company has bottomed at 180 feet"and with sufficiently encouraging results.

The Balrlcly Bridge, The Mount'sllay, and The Victoria Cement Companies, are as previously reported, namely, engaged in working the ground from the surface to a depth of from 10 to 35 feet, with satisfactory results.

The Clay tan's Hill Compan.y, Clayton's Hill. . Since the date of last report this company sold their' claim to a party of Chinamen working an

adjoining claim,·and have ,removed their machinery to the opposite side of the hill, where tKey have now commenced operations.

The Caledonian Company, Caledonian Lead. . Since the'date oflast report this company broke through into the gutter and washed a machineful and a half, which yielded gold to t,!1e value of £10 4s. only. Subsequently, while further prospe,eting, they struck waslidirt about six feet above the gutter, from which a tin dishful was washed which yielded five grains of gold. This the manager considers a promising indicatiqn. and the company has suspended operations with a view to the reorganizing of the company.

QUARTZ MINING.

Since the date of last report the Oregon Quartz Mining Comllany has erected machinery, and is now ready to commence crushing operations, but in the meantime the company is being reorganized. and work is at a standstill. In regard to the other companies there is no information to give beyond what appears in the tables.

~-.~-------------------

i

No. 4 DIVISION.

Mr. -Michael O'Malley, MVnVng Surveyor and RegiBtrivr.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS IS AS FOLLOWS:-

, Europeans. Ohlnese. Total for the 6

Division. --~.~~

Alluvial Miners ... ... ·2,141 686 2.827

Quartz Miners ... ... 180 8 188

---.. ~

Totals 2,321 ,

694 3,015 ... -

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS IS THUS DISTRIBUTED :-

Bulldog •... Mount Misery Creek Moonlight Junction

l«lnmrkll.

21 26

168

Little Hard Hills Whim Holes Sawpit Gully JacKson's Gully Grassy Gully ... S)?ring Creek ...

575 250

67 113 180

65 75 65

LongGully ... Kangaroo Gully Staffordshire Reef Kangaroo Hill Sebastopol Cobbler s... ... . .. Cambrian Hill and Winter's Flat Blook Lead ."

20 210 135 170 110 115

Fmchgut... .. . Frenchman's Gully .. . Break o'Day and Raglan Italian Gully ... . ..

Napoleon and Dogtrap Ra6ecourse Watson's Hill.

180 65

115 110

67 45

TOTAL

THE MACHINERY IS AS .FOLLOWS;- .

35 33

3,015

ALLUVIAL M::I:NI:Na. QUARTZ M::I:NI:NG.

"--~- -~.---.. ,--------Description of MachiIIel'1.

Number' Aggregate Number Aggregate At Work. Idle. of Stamp Horse-power of At Work. Idle •. of Stamp Horse-power of

Heads. Steam Engines .. Heads. Steam Engines. -- ----~~ -~--

Steam Engines ... ... 32 12 ... 1,096 4 3 162 167 Steam Engines (crushing ... 1 6 10 ... '" ... I . ..

cement) Horse Puddling Machines ... 48 38 ... ... ... . .. . 1 . .. Whims ... ... ... 5 ... . .. ... i 4 1 ... .. . Whips ... ... ... 2 ... ... .. . 3 3 ... . .. Boring Machines ... ... 6 4 ... . .. ! ... ... .. . .. . i I

. Total value of mining -elant in the division, £80,368. Number of square mIles of auriferous ground which is being, or may have been, actually

worked upon, 8. o Number of distinct quartz reefs which have been actually proved to be auriferous to the present

time, 8. The price of gold during the quarter in the division has been.from £4 Is. 6d. to £4 2s. 3d.

per oz.

THB FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS BEEN OBTAINED RELATIVE TO THE QUANTITY OF QUARTZ AND QUARTZ TAILINGS AND CEMENT CRUSHED DURING THB QUARTER, AND THE GOLD OBTAINED THEREFROM.

Where ~z, &c., were I Q1J.I1d"tz ClUBbed. I

N&IIle of Company. Yietr:r"6:,ld I Tota.l Yield or l«l1nlU'lr. relative t;o the Depth .. t which the o mod. • per Ton. i Gold. Q1J.I1d"tz was obtained, &c.

ton owt. qr: oz. dwt. gr:! 011. dwt. gr.

Sta1fordshire Reef ... Sta1fordshire Reef ... 5,252 0 0 o 3 16tH 971 0 0 200 level, 5~ feet lode Comet ... ... Ditto ... . .. 430 0 0 o 5 19! I 125 0 0 170 level, ;; feet lode Prinee of Wales . ~ .... Cobbler's . .. 1,913 0 0 o 9 31 873 16 12 370 level, 17 feet. lode

-----Totals, Quartz 7,595 0 0 0 5 4! 11,969 16 12 - '".--. Quartz Tailing8 and

Cement crushed.

Federal ... ... Boundary Gully . .. 320 0 0 I 0 7 0 112 0 0

Total Quartz Tail- } jngs and Cement 320 0 0 I ·0 7 0 112 0 0

8

I have the honor to report that during the quarter, mining matters generally have progressed satisfactorily throughout the division; ahd althoughi as yet, no new discoveries of mnch importance have resulted fr~!R" ~ue, ~xtenst~!l ,pro~p~cting, ~~a~ is ,l;Jei?g",I!~::p}ld gn~e~~~HY all over the division, yet several compames' have obtamed pronnsmg llldlcil.tlOns of ultimatel success. lOne company, for instance, has recently obtained favorable prospects from a claim about half a mile to the northward of the Buninyong racecourse. Another company (the Golden Gate) has also obtained good prospects from a claim immediately 'to the northward of the racecourse; while ari6ther company (the Great South-Western) has in all likelihood struck the locale of the old Whim Holes Lead, about a mile and a half to the sout'\t-east of the south-west corner of .ty.!} racec()R~s!l .. , This company has sunk a shaft to

• about 90 feet; and is in high hopes of bottoming' on or near the gutter, and from all the surroundings of the case I am disposed to think favorably of their prospects. The Prince Alfred Extended Company, about half a mile further eastward, has also, of late, as I am informed, obtained encouraging prospects after two and a half years' unremitting labor; but as they will not be able to test the quality of the gutter for another week or two, nothing very definite can as yet be stated rega,rding its y.ield. However, from the fact of very good washdirt having been obtained higher up the lead by their next neighbors, the Tynemouth and Palmerston companies, it is confidently expected that the gutter in the Prince Alfred Company's claim will be payable. There have been four or five other claims taken up duririg the quarter between the latter company's claim and the Whim Holes, but up to the present there has been'little or no work done on: or in connexion with any of them, the parties, it would appear, preferring to hold them.in reserve until something may turn up to -increase the value of their shares.

The Friar Tuck Company, Pinchgut Gully, after several ineffectual efforts !tt bottoming'shafts in different parts of the gully, decided on boring for the deep ground some three weeks 'since, b,ll't as yet the deepest discovered is oulY,thirty fe,et, which is considered about fifteen or twenty feet too shallow. The Temple (lease) Company, Rn.glail 'Hill, are ,at present engaged sinking their shaft, which, from indications already obtained, is likely to be in ,the vicinity of deep ground; present depth, 120 feet.

The Alert COlJ1pany, Break o'Day Hill, are energetically prosecuting their search for the gutter supposed to intersect their claim; but; 80 far, 'without success. ,: ""

The Break o'Day Company, Elder's Estate, are busy prospecting their claim, botl~ by sinking shafts and boring; but up to the end of the ,month with no particular result. Gold has b'cen found iI!. the shallow portion of the claim, but not in paying quantity. '

The Golden Empire Company" whose claim is situated about a mile to the eastward of the town. ship of Pitfield, is about completing the erection of a very substantial plant, coni.!isting of two steam engines (a twenty and a forty. five horse-power respectively), and are pretty confident as to the course of the deep ground within their claim, having bottomed one bore at a, depth of upwards of 200 feet.

The Monitor (late Alliance) Company have bottomed at a depth of 102 feet, with a dip to the westward; but, as yet, no ,pro!Jpects have been, obtained, They are, however, in expectation of finally strikinl?, the Derwent Jack's Lead.

The Golden Gitte Company has got into what is considered paying washdirt, and is erecting puddling machinery in consequence. , , , '

The Western Creek Grand Junction Company,' wh'ose claim is situated at the junction of Mount Misery and Little Woady'Y aloak Creeks"hav~.j)lst cofrlpleted"t'h'e 8l;e'ction of their engine (twelve horse-power), and will· resume sinking forthwith. '

The Marmion Company, to the southward of the latter, is at present sinking, having met, as yet, with no obstacle in the shape of water, Present depth about fifty feet. ' '

The Great Western and W oady Y llloak Junction Company, whose claim is situated, as the name denotes, at the junction of the Western (or Little Woady Yaloak) and the Woady Yaloak Creeks, having sunk their shaft some thirty feet, were swamped out, and are now, I believe, about commencing to bore in order to determine the position of the deep ground before procuring machinery. .

The Cressy Grand Confluence Company, whose claim' is situated at the township of Cressy, have not as yet succeeded in .aB(lertainin~ th? cou!se ,of the d,eep groull:d. I ~m told their deepest bore was bottomed at a depth of SIxty feet. , Their cl:llm IS at present held m reserve,' ,,',

,With regard to the old dividend paying claims in the' 'division, I am pleased 'to report that the returns from them generally continue to be satisfactory! the following having been obtained during the ~ar~~ , ,

N elaon Company, Sebastopol, for nine weeks' work, o~tained... 2,852 oz. Prince of Wales Company, Cobbler's, from alluvial alone' ':." '3,161 ,; , Alston and Weardale Company, Cambrian Hill 3".1,86 " Great Gulf Company, Cambrian Hill 1,054 " Scottish and Cornish eompany, Black 'Lead, two months",,~ork~' 748 '" ~, .

The Defiance 'Company, Sebastopol, has done littl~ ill'tlie' way of g!'tting up '!'\'ashdirt during the quarter, being principally engagcd in the sinking of a new shaft and the erection of new machinery. 'l'he Red Jacket Company, Sebastopol, has also been engaged during the quarter in putting in a new dr~ve for the gut~er,al!d j,l!, tp.~ e~~£H~n:,p'f a, rro/ .~llp.s,t~nti,al.pl8;llt ,~nd.om!lchiner:r:, .. rhe, .. 'Y?~ldng Mmers Company ',have ?ee'n also enga,ged (and wIll be for ,some Slx'or eight months) puttmg I? a new drive to the southward m order to strIke the gutter at a distance of about 2,000 feet from tlielr shaft; its length at preseut is, I understand, upwards of 900 feet. ., . .

The New Frenchman's Company, Sebastopol, has been simllarly 'engaged durmg the quarter ~n driving for the gutter; while the Sons of :!freedom Company, Napoleon, has been chiefi.y ellgag~d. ,m putting in a new driveat.a lower level to strIke the gutter. The Fortuna and Caledollla Compame,B, Dog Trap Creek, hn.ve been busy searching or prospecting for payable ground; which neither have, as yet, succeeeded in finding.. . ' . .' . . .. ,

I'am aware of nothlDg further of particular mtCl'est to mentIOn m regard to allUVial mlDlllg m the division; and as. to the yield of q~artz during the quart~r, I am glad to report, as.will be seen ~y the accompanying table, tbat there 18, on the whole, an ,mcrease on the average YlCld for the ?rst quarter of the year, which was 4 dwts. 5t grs" while for the last quarter it has been 5 dwts, 4~ grs,

9

BUNINYONG DIVISION.

Mr. Robert M. Harvey, Mining Surveyor and Registra'r.


~

I

I Total for the I

I

Europeans. Chinese. Division .

I

Remarks.

.... ~-.. ,

I Alluvial Miners ... ... 1,950 300 2,250 Quartz Miners .. , ... 240 .. , 240 Increase, 230 during the quarter.

~~--~-

Totals ... 2,190 300 2,490

THE TOTAL NUMBER Oll' l\!J.INERS IS THUS DISTRIBUTED:i-

Durham Green H:iIls Scotchman's Franklyn... ... ... Napoleon, Victoria, and Wellington Devonshire ... Hard Hills .. . Black Lead .. .

850 60

240 80

170 20

100 100 100

WhiteHorse Magpie Cobbler's One.eye and Spring Hill. NewChum ... Union Jack and Glencoe Watson's Hill

Total

150 100 100 80 40 80 50

2,490 Winter's Flat Hiscock's , 170

THE lVfACHINERY IS AS FOLLOWS:":-

A.LLUVIAL MINING • QUARTZ MnrrNG.

.. --....... -~---Description of Machinery.

I Aggregate A.IWOrk,1

i Number Aggregate At Work. Idle. I Horse,power of Idle. of Stamp Horse,= of

, Steam Engines. Heads, Steam . tllI,

Steam Engines ... ... 34 2 .550 7 5 88 255 , Puddling Machi,nes ... ... 30 15 ... ... .. . . .. . .. Whims ... ... ... 30 I 5 ... .. . i ... .. . .. .

Total value of mining plant in the division, £60,000. ' . . Number of square miles of auriferous ground which is being or may have been actually worked

upon, 14. N umber of rustinct quartz reefs which have been actuaJ-ly proved to be auriferous to the present

time, 12. . The price of gold during the quarter in'the division has been from £3 19s. to £4 Os. 6d. per oz.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS BEEN OBTAINED RELATIVE TO THE QUANTITY OF QUARTZ

CRUSHED IIURING THE QUARTER, AND THE GOLD OBTAINED THEREFROM.

Where ~uartz, &c., were I Avera~ Total Yield Of Remarks relative to the Name of Company. Quartz crushed. Yield of ld Depth at which the o tained. per Ton. . Gold. Quartz was obtained, &0.

-------~ -ton cwt. qr. oz. dwt. gr. oz. dwl. gr.

Standard Co. ... Hiscock's Reef ... 1,624 0 0 0 6 61'. 507 15.18 160 feet

Imperial Co. ... Ditto . .. ... 1,665 0 0 0 2 9% 199 0 0 I_50 to 200 feet

One-and-·All Co. ... Ditto ... '" 2,000 0 0 0 4 5t 422 6 2 130 to 200 feet

True Briton Co. ... Long Gully ... 230 0 0 0 1 o~ 11 15' 6 I Surface, not fairly commenced . .

I Total ... 5,519 0 0 I

0 4 3;fui 1,140 17 2

I I No. 69, a.

10

. _.QUA.RTZ MINING. .. '&~~.:l-.!-, \fj~. '<)~~J;!jJj~::':I~~,"""

The general average of quartz crushed in this district for the quarter shows a decided improvement, being in fact about Q grains per ton, above, that of last quartet:, a veryJarge increase when the tot.al yield is but·ftoi:ri:,3,.to,;'4 dwts, per.,;.tonA)Tn.c:onlY':nel~~\lbatterY 8tarted:-i~·~that:of!~the True Briton, Long Gully, sixteen stamps. This company has only commenced operations, and has crushed nothing but quartz easily obtained on the surface; the average yield is remarkably low, but is, I believe, sure to improve.

The disco~(jnes made during ihi~';':~uarter' have. proved -thltt this lead improves in its cours~ downwards: the Enfield-and the-Duke .of-Cornwall, the only, companies which as yet have satisfactorily proved the Durham Gutter, having obtainflp. good retu,rns,iand in cOllsequence the public confidencc,:\n . thisJead has,been restored. The Chryg~issti1l contends with an overpowering force of water; '.while the City6f"Manchester and Sb~tli:Grenvillc'have both been proved to be workin$' at too shalld{v'a leHu: Below, no new discoveries have been macrc -;--aliove--;'Ulli-' Garibaldi have started a new, engine with an improved plant, and the recent improvements in the' yield from' the ground opened out, will no doubt now'yield' good returns. ,The,;Pioneel'.puys littlb morc than expenses '; ,the Con v.ention main tains·a good payable yield; the National have struck the junction of the Durham and Scotchman's IJeads, they have had to deepen their main drive, preventing the wqrks for some time from yielding wash-dirt below the junction; they have; liOwever, 'every:prospect of good yields 'in 'future, '

1,." ',;. ;~<jC~iC;i11ian'S Lead. ",\ .• . , ;' .. ~ . ':

.: . 'rhe Buninyong Company, Learm?nt~'8 p.~e-e~p~ive r~ht" obtained ~uring the quart?l'~?me:t?f the largest returns of any'of-the. compames·m .t~eBallaI·at dIstrIct, and thIS claIm fnlly mruntams 1~S.

~~~ition. : ~. I ~ J ' i~i~ ~.'~':~-~ ':.:,~: ~ ~ ~_ - I :; ". ;."~,~~i'l '': '. " ' ,Napoleon Jiead. , ",:1

,',;:, The Leviathan Company are still driving for the gutter; th~"San Sebastian C~.~pim(h.:~!~ si:mietimes~ though'i'rregularly, obtained good returns ... t . - •

• • t,t'ji;:. ','+ ; ...

, Wellington Lead.

The Waterloo, though obtairiilig~50:to'60"ozs, froIn'!differenhnachines, have not maintained the character they had ,acquired for the richness ,of .,theirground;. ,this.has always been the case where the gold is so nugg!l~tY,as in this in~tanc~. , " _, .~ , .' '"

GenerallY;"t1ie'oth:er leads III thIS dIstrICt' have"lleen engaged durmg the quarter m smkmg, driving, or prospecting., ... , .. "

I .' ' - _,J •. _" , ,.1, ' Sk II }V( k'

.:_. : ~H-';' r' J ... ;),'~ , .. ,,'~' :,\. 't~ ~"q;.~~.11]J?, ,.or :,t.l,z!Js • . 'v'). > to.

_"':;"':<C 'The'shallowworkings continuc topa~ g6od: a:verage~, - ---Tlie pros-parity of the diStrict as far-· airegards gold, mining has increased, and the iniproved

demand con8~quent for all kinds of lab~r has' been v~ry apparent. ' ' .. "'.' _ .. ::

\.

..... • .' ., '. '.~ : ,{ I,,,! '.

No.6 DIVISION .. . , Mr. John Lynch, M,ining $.urveyor ,wnd R.egistrar .. , . f. 'I .1. j 1,. . • , •

, ",,,':\

All{{~ihf);iiiier~ i r ' ,. QUii-tz'MilierS" ,... h, I :::

Totals 1-'·", .

'Europeans, . Oruneoe.·

.,

Total for the Division.

.:< ..

THE TOTaL ' NUMBER OF MINERS IS THUS DISTRIBUTED:-.' . I,

Smythesdale i , ... Scarsdale' ! Brown's ..... ,

210 ~ Carngham:-760 I Bottle Hill 130 Preston Hill. ',,;' .''', so Sn~ke Valley ' ..

80 Snake Valley Reefs .. ,

Remarks,

Monkey Gully,. ' Italian Gully Springdallah and New Chum Lead Derwent Jack's and Moonlight Flat, Happy Valloy and Springdallah Creek

480 I.inton and Madden's Flat ... ·no i 1 700 Total

t,' •

1<, •

• d i

~·r;. "

80 150 430

60 200

3,470

THE MACHINERY'IS AS FOLLOWS ,:-,

'" Au.uvL\.L MINING, QUAll.TZ Mn''llIG.

._---,--, ~------Desmiption of Machinery.

Number .Aggregate At Work.

Aggregate 'At Work. Idle Idle. Horsc«power of r of Stamp Hors .. ~wer of

Stl"'m Engines, Heads. Steam Dgine~~ " .' , ...:. .', --.-~--.----- --.~.~---~ ----Steam Engines ... 66 16 1,620· 5 1 40 140 Whims' ... ... 14 " '1 ... ... '"

. , ... ... Horse Puddling Machines 61 23 ... .... ... . .... ' ..

, -' .

Total value of mining plant in the division, £80,000. Number of square miles of auriferous grOlmd which is being, or may have' been, actually worked

upon,11. ' " Number of distinct quartz reefs which have been actul'lly'proved to be a,uriferous to th~ present

time 9. 1. . • _ '.' " ,

, The price.?f gold during the quarter in the divi~~?ri',has been £4 pel' oz., '

THE' FOLIiOWING INFORlI:ATION, HA$ BEEN' OBTAINED .. RELATIVE TO Tl{EQUANTITY OF QUARTZ

CRUSHED DURING THE 9-UA.;RTER; AND THE GOLD OBTAINED 'T~E.RE.FR()~.

. Where Quartz was obtained.

Total Yield of Gold, ,

R<lmarks relative to the Depth 'at which the ~ was obtained, &.0.

, .--I-------~-·- I---~----ton cwt. qr. oz, dwt. gr. oz. dwt.gr,

2;925 0' 0 ' 0 5' 8 780, 0 ~ 0

, " ---_ .. - ---- ------- •• j

• 'l'otals, Quartz' 2,925' 0 0 ' O' 5 8 780 0 0

. '" ,~ ,

'luere was no other crushing during the qnarter.

'0 bt::iined at " depth from 332 to 350 feet, .

No perceptible difference in the richness of the stone here and at other levels.

I have the honor to forWard the following report of 'mining :affai,l in this division for th~ uarter. ' " ,-, : '

CJ,. : .During the quarter ',nining has made steady progressull over the div;islon. Thelaying claimll have yielded well, perhaps better than in any previous period of equal duration, an the work of sinking shafts, bo,ring, erecting machinery, and preparations generally have progressed with hopefl,ll energy. , ' , ' ' _'

, ' , The most northerly claim in my division is the -AmaZon, It is sitUated north of McLachlan's preemptive right. Severa} bores were bottomed before the deep ground was struck, A shaft is to be sunk now in ,the vicinity of the deep ground. The depth of sinking will be abqut 120 feet to the lowest p()int.i~ t)J.e g)ltt~r." The Pre-emptive Company, situated on McLachlan's private property! bottomed about a: mont4, ago: 'l'hey were too' shallow. 'They have, ~unk through the'rllef to, the reqUlred depth, and aI'e at present engaged ifl excavating a-water lodgment. The Phcehix ha\l. been yielding very good returns for the quantity of earth disposed of; but from several defects in their 'equipment they are unable to carry on the works suffieiently extensively. On. the western boundary of the Phcenix claim there is a small co-operative Chinese par,ty that has been getting excellent returns for some 'months back. -From that claim to'Scarsaalc, a: space of four miles, there'is nothing of any importance doing iIi~~ing affairs, " The only miners iit work there at, an are the Ohin~se,.who are engaged ,turning over the: ?Ad ;g:so.pnd, ~nq' wll?, b.y assiduity in working and f~galitJ in living, m~nage to obtain a livelihood from tliese abandoned dlggmgs; " ' ., ,-: ' "," ,J', ,

The same description applies to Brown's, Monkey Gully,' and Italiari Gu-lly. These localities are ,abandO'ned 'by, the large companies, th~ 'gutters having been worked out,and th~ shaUO'Iy gullies and' surfacing ranges give employment to' Ii few'amaU'companIes with tub and cradle,imd in some few exceptional instances'horse.puddling machines~' There is;'however, one' brahch of mining which woUld be l~una,highJy; ~emunerativEfsti!l here, were itl?SS~1:)Ie too~t_ain It suffi~ie'llt sUIiply of 'Yater,.:.....I mean slUJcmg, 'l'wo or three compames are engage ill' It already. " The 'source 'of supply 18 the head of Ross's' Creek; ahd here there can be no more- than three or (our'week~'water' conserVed at the utmost, so that the gain from a week's sluicing scarcely pays the cost of constructing' and maintaining"dams, Huming, races, and the other requisites; and until a constant, copious, arid uninterrupted ,\upply be obtained, sluicing in this 'division must necessarily be a failure. ' " . ,-, , , L From Scarsdale to Cape Cle'lr, a distance of twelve miles, there.is a regular succession' 6f claima, iIi active operation along the niain lead. The greater mimber oftheseclainui-are yielding gold; and in t~e c.o.Ul;se of another year the entire numger ;will, it, is expec'ted, be into the auriferous drift, and YIeld~ng too. " " 1 .

'The. fi:-st an.d 0f~est claim no,,: upon the main lead is ,t~e Cale~onian; i~ wa~ t!l~~n up in May, 1856, and It IS qeheve,ct" that there WIll be two or three years work stIll there. It IS gI'v"mg very good wages. 'I'he Bute continues t() pay well; th,ey hild a very good dividend' a week ago; the proceeds from the ~ine were, for the lastl weeK, 118ozs. :The ,Av9nc~ift,pa~an ,excellent return last week, namely, 125 ozs. ,.', " '. , '

The Azimuth is improving, and there is a decided impl'oveme'nt in the North Gre.nville ; 'in the course of a few days, when the main,drives are complefed~' this claim ,,,ill 'be gi'l'ing excellent returns, The Wh!3al Kitty, a small co.operative company, adjoining the North Grenville and Golden Stream, on the main lead, has been all along the best paying claim in the locality of Scarsdale. The Golden Stream is still rather poor; from 60 to 80 OZ8, is the' general weekly avenlge, aud this quantity is

12

scarcely sufficient to pay current 'expenses. The arrangements of this company are ot a very superior kind, both a8 regards the class and adaptability of their machinery, and the management of the mine' generally; and were it not so the mine could scarcely have been worked hitherto. There are, however, some well known leads falling into the claim at the lower end, and it is but natural to expect that these tributaries will enrich the claim downwards from the point of junction. At this supposed point they are now sinking a second s~aft, ~ff:er having ascertained the deep ground by boring.

The Scarsdale Extended are stlll drlVlllg for the gutter; they are s'evcral hundred feet ~tway from the shaft now, and jndeed it is surprising that they have not already cut the gutter. The Golden Lake are sinking slowly; the quantity of water baled from this shaft is enormous, in no other part of the district have I seen Buch a, tremendous stream from one shaft, consequently the progress in sinking must needs be very slow. The Golden Horn, next in succession, is getting through the rock with comparative ease. No doubt the Golden Lake drainage has materially lessened the water of the Golden Horn, the former shaft being much deeper until lately. The Atlas are driving for the gutter,

, and expect daily to reach it. The Try Again got 171 OZ8. for one week lately, and from the apparent regularity of the washdirt throughout the claim I am of opinion that they will keep up that average; they have main drives,now throughout the entire length and width of the claim, and everything there looks hi~hly encouraging. The Alpha are not doing much at present.

The 4rcher, which gave up working a few weeks ago, has been legally dispossessed upon the application of the manager of the Atlas company. Iu all f.robability the ground will be found to be remunerative; the Archer company never gave it a fair tria. .

The Grand Trunk is yielding magnificently; there are dividends of £20 a fortnight for each original share whenever no delays or impediments happen to the work i tlie gutter is exceedingly rich i and in every aspect ill which this claim may be viewed, whether as regards the, richness of the ground or the extent of it, the prospects may be fairly taken as amongst the best of any claim in the Ballarat district. '),he Exchequer is erecting machinery; the machinery is of a first-class description, perhaps equal to that of any alluvial claim in the colony; it will take about three or four months more to complete it. The Cape Clear is the next claim on the main lel1d, and the most southward in my division; they have bottomed at one eud of their shaft, hut it is dipping rapidly in an easterly direction, and from the la1'ge infhi.'( of water, and in consequence of some repairs which the bottom of the shaft requires, it will take a few weeks further to sink to the right depth; t.he manager reports that they got paying gold from several feet of the top dI'ift. 'I'llis elaim is looked upon as the key to the value of the various claims southward through the Pitfield Plains, and every change and development of its character instantly affects the value of elaims for miles further on. The Alchymist, on Derwent Jack's Lead,have broken into the gutter, and have obtained a good prospect, In the neighborhood of Moonlight Flat there are various parties sinking, but I have not heard th!\t anything definite or tangible has been met with, although expectation runs high on the part of the claimholders.

The Cleft in the Rock, Happy Yalley, are doing better than usual; they have 11 large scope of gutter to block out. The Grand JunctIOn is excellent, the returns are large and regular. The Volunteers have been doing a little better than usual lately. The Robin Hood uniformly moderate. The British, which has from its commencement, two years ago, maintained a decided superiority over the other claims at Happy Valley, although still retaining its pre-eminenee, is not doing so well as it used to do; but there is no doubt that it will again revive, and from the known character of the ground to be blocked out, returns as good as any yet obtained may be expected. The Lucky got 210 OZ8. for the last fortnight, and when a main drive upon whieh they are at present engaged is completed, the above amount will be considerably increased. The Waverly is heginning to show manifest signs of improvement; they have had over 100 OZ8. for one week, and as the face of the drives exhibits the appearance of a heavy uniform wash, it is believed that the above yield, 01' something approaehing thereto, will prove to be permanent. '

There is not much doing at and around Linton. The Atlas Company obtained 51 OZ8. for the last week; this is the best claim at Linton, and in'deed nearly the best paying claim in the division for several months back, The -company is· small, it consists of about twenty-four shareholders, and the weekly returns seldom fall short of the above figure, and in some instances nearly double it.

The Victory is very poor; it is at present let to a party of working miners, upon easy terms; should it not improve it will be soon wound up.

The Great Britain are erecting machinery. There are two other companies employing steam power one on the Flagstaff, and another on the Black Lead; but neither is doing anything worth speci;.i meution. The old ground is being operated upon by those indefatigable workers, the Chinese, and by adherence to their accustomed industrious habits, they are enabled to maintain a large popula. tion upon the gleanings of these old diggings.

Carngham is keeping up its wonted steady average. The Alabama and British Columpia are sinking new shafts and ,intend to erect large and effective machinery. The yield from the old shafts continues to be .JlJ·etty nearly what I have on several occasions reported it to have been. Indeed 80 steady and regular is thelroduce, of the elaims along the whole of the Snake Valley Flat, that a description j;iven once will hoI good for, perhaps two years, the mode of working remaining constant. This regularity arises from an extensive distribution of washdirt, extending throughout the entire length of the Snake Valley Flat, and for several acres across it; such wash dirt being nearly throughout of the same thickness and quality. _ '

'I'he Kossuth have excellent ma.chinery erected, but the work of proving the ground is going slowly on. The Carngham United have lately reorganised; nothing further has taken place in the affairs of the company during the quarter. 'I'he Phamix, Southern Lights, Prince of Wales, Sherwood and Wait in Hope, are progressing as usual, making more than wages. The Nil Desperandum has met with Bome good paying ground, and shares have advanced considerably. The General K08siaski are making first-rate progress with the erection of their engines. The works are fine specimens of efficiency and durability, and cannot fail to have a jJowerful effect in enhancing the value of the claim. ' It will require many months more before they will be in a position to enter the underground works; but whatever the delay. may be, or the expense incurred.iIl making the works secure and permanent, I have no doubt that the mine will justify all the outlay and precautionary measures the company are taking. The Saint David, adjoining the western boundary of the Kossiaski, have bottomed a shaft, but are about sinking another. The several claims on Russell's private property are reported to be doing well. On Bottle Hill the Ida and Great Extended have taken large areas of ground, and have 'placed the claims under the scrip arrangement, and thus succeeded in getting a number of good and substantial shareholders, who will spare no expense in exploring the ground, and I have no doubt that

13 , ..

they will be amply rewarded. There are two whim hol~s on Bottle Hill, doing remarkably well. The claim of Jones and party on Madden's Flat has revealed nothing new las yet; the shaft has been bottomed, but with a considerable dip, and some few weeks will elapse before the place is properly tested.

The Snake Valley Junction are ready to go to work without further delay. The leases applied for at Carngham, viz., Imperial, Lenten Troupe, and Palmetto, are n9t, in the matter of works, advanced anything.

The foregoing are the principal claims in the division, but there areia great many smaller claims which add materially to the receipts of the division, but which it would! be difficult to follow up in their frequent fluctuations and vicissitudes. As the quantity of shallow ground and surfacing ranges is very extensive, the small partjes will be always a very material element amongst the producers of this division. •

Upon a review of the whole. it is clear that the resources of this division present a most flattering aspect at the present time. and judginJ> from the number, magnitude, and apparent permanency of the works in progress, it is not difficult to mfer for the future a much higher degree of prosperity than any hitherto attained. '

CRESWICK DIVISION.

MT. James Stevenson, Milning SurveyO'i' and Registrar.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS IS AS ..,"'·T",UTO:_ ,

Europeans. (lhinese. Total for th& .Remarks. Division.

Alluvial Miners ... '" 1,100 800 1,900

Quartz Miners ... ... '" 670 ... 570

Totals '" 1,670 800

••

2,470

Clunes .. . Rocky Lead .. . Pinch~ut Gu.l!y Scandmavian Reef Red Streak New Chum Gully Union Hill ...

wk Gully Hill

CresWlck Back Creek ...

Description of Maohinery.

Steam Engines ... Whims ... ... Puddling Machines '"

Cement Mining. Steam Engines .. , Whims ... . .. Whips .. , ...

• :r


. I At Work. I

14 •

25 170

3 3 6

600 190 150 20

170 10 20 40

110 140 120

Portuguese Flat Humbug Hill ... Mopoke Slaty Creek ... Sulky Gully ... Cobbler's Gully Diamond Gully

t ills

THE MACHINERY IS AS FOLLOWS:"--

ALLUVIAL MINnIG.

I TOT .~.~~~.t'? of Ntlmber Idle. of Stamp

I fI':;;';:' 'ii';:J~.;. At Work. Hea.ds. -~-

2 . .. 242 28 4 '" .,. . ..

... ... ." ...

... 26 46 ... ... . .. ... ... ... ... ... . ..

Total

QuaTz MINING •

I Idle. Number

of Stamp Heads.

1 ' 184 . .. . .. ... . ..

... ... ...

... ... 1

100 100 200 150 90 60 20

140 40 -"

2,470

.Aggregate

:='l&i'":;~£

610 . .. . ..

. .. . .. . ..

Total value of mining plant in the division, £111,200. ' Number of square miles of auriferous ground which is being, or ma~ have been, actually worked

upon,8.. , . ':&umber of distinct quartz reefs which have been aotually proved to be auriferous to the present

tune, 12. ' The price of gold during the quarter in the division has been from £3 18s. 6d. to £4 per oz.

14~

TRE FOLLOWING INFORMATION RAS BEEN OBTAINED, RELATIVE TO TRE QUANTITY 'OF ,QUARTZ' AND QUARTZ :T,AILINGS ,AND CEMENT' CRUSRED DURING TRE QyARTER, ,AND' THE GOLD OBTAINED

,\ THEREFROM.'

Where Quartz, &c.; , were obtained.

Ave~gc T al Y' Remarks relative to the " Quarti'cruslied',' Yield'of Gold ot G leld of Depth at whlcl:ithe Quartz

per Ton. old. woo ~'\>tained,' " ',"

;~~t. Phillip co~pa~;':i: Clunes Reef Victoria Company ;''''1 Ditto '"

Clunes Uriited'Company, Ditto ... Collins and Company,;'., , Opossum-Reef,

ton cwt.' qr. ... 13,998 '0 0

3,365, 0 0

<:'~" '-;'i·i,' " ;. " .~;;." '.' i. Q!lartz Tailings and

Cement crushed. Hard Hill Company .. . Enterprise Company .. . Burkett and Company Dunstan and Company Davenport and Company

,:r.rotal; Quartz : .•

Hard Hill Ditto ... Bloody Gully Hard Hill - " '-: .. Ditto .••

i

1,878 0 0 ,33 0 0

19,274 0 0

360 0 0 917 0 0

42 0 0 nr 5 0 5 0 0

Og, dwt. gr, Og. dwt. gr, o (j Ilk '4,529' II 0 o 6 15t 1,1l5 19 13

o S 2Qa o 8 6H

838 8 0 13.13,12

o 6 17! 6,497 12 1

o 7 16~ o 2 10k o 922" 0" 5 'I8! o 520g

138 11 12 III 16 3 20 17 12

5 9 12 1 9 6

1-----. Total, Quarti Tail-} 1,343 0 0 0 4 3' 278 3 21

ings and Cement 12

Greatest depth, 500, feet. "

Greatest depth, 372 feet. ' ..

I have the honO!' to report that mining generally continues in this division in a fairly prosperous condition; that bJ;~nc4"of.ljt col'!lpri!l!l,d'jn sluicillgi;l'Verjr backward; as owing,to.the dry summer and the small quantit.y of heavy rain whicli has as yet fallen tliis winter, only a few of the races are fairly· at work.

~t Sulky Gully another new compauy (the R()yal Charter Compally) has been formed to work the no~therll portion of the S_ulky 9-.lJqy ,~e~d., J'ho Litple ljJl'~e~de4 Company on Bullock Gully, whose claIm reaches to the RoyalCliarter Company/nas completed the erection of it 10 horse-power vertical engine for the purpose of )Vinding and puddling; iii. 'about a week': it ,,,ill start to'bilil'6ut the shaft, which accompli~hed: sinking will by'jr~mlIlwd. The.,frgyle"_Com~ll;nY has a sJ?all engine of 6 horscpower and a battery of 4, stamps aLwol'k; but as<only the old·taIlIngs. &c., lYlllg on the surface havo been crushed and no R!)J}01:lP,t of the _l1~tity. ](Opt, the company is un~ble, to giv.e any.definite report .of the yield; the shaft has been cleaned out and refixed, and men ar9 now at work below gctting out

, cement and washdirt. The Ben Bolt Company has during the t;1uart~r completed the sinking of'lfnew shaft, removed and re·erected the whilI).;:and puddling gear; ,tj:te was~dirt at the,new shaft.is1from"p to 5 feet in depth. The Kuboid Quartz· Mining' Company has commenced the erection of a 25 horsepower engine and a battery of 10 sta,!pps, the ba~tery is to'lll:l so c<?nstructed as to admit of 20 more stamp-heads being added if the mine should be found sufficiently remq,nerative to warrant the addition; a-reservoir is "also"being"constructed across' ShicerGully, the' embanKment, 'which is "composed' 'of earthwork, when complete, will bc 15 feet high, 300 f~et long, and 5f) feet at th~ base.

'_'''''';:"r~ .. ·-t ,,'f''''f! .... " ~ ,.", ·11·.·~·) '" ~".-, 'il "'r"'1 1

The yield for the quarter, i~ 'as follow;s :-' , ' ..' , . ~~, dwt. gr .

... , BelrBolt Company, 5 1l1l'l,ri., 'q.wee¥~ ,,';1 ... ". '30 0 9 ". ; ,,, " " 'Argyle Company;hired'labor i" ,.. ".... ". ...' 20 0 ',01, ", ,; .. , .. ," .. (" At Bald Hills the Grcat Extended.Co;npany .has been formed for working the,B~ld:lfills~Lead be, yond the point up to which the lead ,was: worked by thc Sons of Justice and other companies; for this .p)1rpose"the company has obtained.a lease.of Sims's paddock.and also a large claim OllJtlie Crown -land adjoining; a shaft 9 feet by 3 feet 6, inches in ,the cleat is now being sunk in the paddock, it is dowu'60 feet in the roel,. The shaft of the pld St: An~rew's Company on the Crown land (whi9h w'as, bottOmed some'years sinee,butnevcr: opened out) ,is.beipg cleaned out preparatory to opcning out and:driving"',,: _..... At Graham's Hill the parties continue to workwitlio)1t,any altcration worthy of..remark.::,:;,.~",j (' ~,.. (j .. _. ( " r ~ ,

,"',' The jieldifof-the quarter is as follows :- ! ,,', oz. dwt, "g,-. :"6':1'i" 'L~-,t,

Schaehe and party, 5 men 66 0 0 Republic Company,-6:meil.',f "~3 • '.;.', ",h'< )."'., ':;-": 63 4 0

'.. , '~The' CresWlck' UiiiiedLeads 'Company opene;r (i'ufat a"depth ofilO 'feet;' ~avi~g "ut three dri;es in the reef andimeetiliKfmth nothing payable, the mana:ger(determiried to sink 35 feet "!lecper, and as a p~elimin:1rrputdown¥-.. boreof· fO fe,~t and;go~ into <;lay mixed ~ith ll:onstone and .. ~t:;~,~!'l;t" ~)1~s4J~ads hll!l,tC!..'I:!eheve ,t,4aHh'l bottom on whIch wqrkls s,l!;l;!led oI}.'lJ:tpreSent IS onl;: 11, false on~.~ , ~"",' ," .-:-" ':','i'i~i\t~the tr'eak; ;tlie GraIid'r,Ttutik> Company:contmues at,' N 0.~1' snaft ,to .drtve to reach thc #~'sHB.iftJlii; en' with the Hit-or-Mishi.;{d'r:.j\:fh&ibri~C6ihp1mies, and also ~ll(}ther drive to cut the deep ,~1purid. -'~'1ii:t;t~r' i~ iri6~6 feep, anq the planager suppos,es tha~ thlj.Maip or B1ac!r ~.~!l~ gutte:r has been reached~; a trml of about half a machme fuU: was' made, whICh YIelded 3 ozs. 3 dwts~' 'No~' 2 shaft is being enlarged to 10 feet by'S feet 6 inches in. th'e cle~r. "The JU1let}on C~mpany contl:U'hes work 'as hitherto, a.nq has also' put'in a imain drivc 200 feet, further to 'the) north. The Iliiperial Company is driving arid blocking out groupd to the Ilorth-v:est :of the sl;laft ; to the,sq~t!~,-'Yes~, of the shaft t,wo distinc~..run~ of,groun:d are" foun,d, the, one <Ion!!!-lllS larg!) whIte, boulders very m~cli w~terworn" in the other, th~ !grav:el is ?f a dark ki?d, ~d among ~t a qpantity of ,decC!~p,osed tim.\ler .. In:t,l~is run w.as found a portion of a tree about 12 feet III length WIth br~nches spreadmg acro~s the dnve; the largest.piece got out i's"about 3:feet,10ng, and 10 inches in . diameter.; the .trunk is much, decomposed. but the roots are in a good state of preser:vation and .. re~e1llblc Jightw90d .. This dark run of ,ground w:~elteyer,p:1~t, Jrithjn the,,?l,airp ~fIoB, pro~edv~ry rel11un!lrat~v:e,>, ~~e Sir Qharl?s Darl~J;lg ,qompa:t;y.is drlvmg to the south-east so as to cut and dbun the gutter; It IS expected that the drIve wlil,l?e m 1)1

,ll-pput ,~J?~tpig,h~,.j~~ell~1";1l;s'!'ting ,}Villb<;l c~mmenced., The~it-()r"Mis~ and,,~o,se, of .j\Jlan~a:Je Com-, panies contmue to work as usuaL. Th~ Royal Exchange Company havlllg proved the grou~'~1 t9"tJ}e

. n9rth~oo ,s4a;How, has abandop.e~}ts ~l~pn." ,',; , , , , " ,'. ' ','1!'!' ,::rr '

15

The yield for the quarter is as follows :- oz. dw~. gr.

Grand Trunk Company, ." ... "." ... ... 4 . 7 0 New Imperial Company; hired labor' 760 4 0 Hit-or-Miss Company, 12 men '.... .... ... 566 4 22 Junction Company;liil.'ed'labor'·\ - .... '... ~., !",' 445 ,. 4 12 Rose of Allandale Company, 12 men 173 0 0 0

At Rocky Lead, the You Know Company b!llieves that the run of gold hitherto worked by it is , a distinct one from the Rocky Lead, and has named it the Teutonian Lead; . If this prove to be correct, a junction must take' praee in or about the' company'sdaim; The Teutoni~ Company continues to work

as usual, but through the absence of the manager J was unallle to obtain. the quarter's return of gold for this Company. The Jupiter Compani'luls struck wash dirt in No.2 level, but had to suspend work in: eonsequenco of, a' portiOri of the shaft swelling, it is now being repaIred with 7 -inch timber.

The yield for the quarter is' as follows :.....:. : oz. dm. gr

Jupiter Company, hi~ed labor ... 708 13 6 Golden Emporium Company, 24 men 228 10 22 Golden Gate Company, 20 men 201 15 3 You Know Company', 16 men", 125 3 8

, 1~h'e 'Eldorado Company, Springhill, has 'eompleted the ~inking of the shaft and is now driving. Thc Bank of England Company (quartz mining) has complcted the erection of its machinery and

~ommeneed crushing; 400 tons of quartz havc been raised from the Armagh· Reef, and a contract let to raise and delivcr 1000 tons at the battery, at 4s. 6d. per ton.. .

Three new companies are being formed, one to work the ground at,German Gully, the other two to work on private property. The one to work the eontinuation of Rocky Lcad; the other to try the table land between the Back Creek and Bullarook Creek for the continuation of the Rocky Lead, and other leads that may run westerly from the iding range. .

Though not immediately relating to beg to report that a complete petrified oyster was found by a miner in shqllow ground, at Longpomt. Tho shells, which are closed, apparently contain within, the oyster, in a state of petrifaction also.

At Clunes, the -Port Phillip Company has crushed during the quarter 13,998 tons of quartz raised by the Clunos. Company; tho yield 6f which was 4,529 ois. 1.1 dwts. of g?Id.; the r~servoir for supplying the 10\ver' ongllle and battery has'been completed; tho erection of the wmding engllle at the' Glendonald shaft is also finished. and is working satisfactorily.; :from this shaft a vein of quartz in the western crosscut has beon intersected and driven on for about 60 foet, the quartz is from 1 to 4 feot in thickness and streaked wi~h PY,:itos; a vein:in tho eastern cross-cut has also been intersocted, but has not yet been worked •. '. .., . ~" . . . .... . " .' .

The Cluues Company has completed the wOj.'ks on No. 4 level south shaft, and all the works of this lovel are oonneoted by trmnroads with tho main shaft; permanent winding. operations will be com-menced imm m the south sh!J.ft; operations in the western cross-cut are still suspended, owing to the want on from tho main shaft No. 4. level;' driving north and south on the Western and Robinson's reefs is being continued; on No.3 level driving is being done on the Welcome reef and stoping, on'the eastern re!lf; the north and south stepes on the western reef are still in operation, and the winze previously reported has been completed; on No. 2 level stoping is being proceeded with on the '\Velcome and Robinson's roefs.

The Clunes United Company crushed during the quarter 1,878 tons of obtained from various depths, the greatest being 372 feet, which yielded 838 ozs. 8 dwts. of gol main shaft has beon sunk 18~ feet deeper, making a total depth of 480~ feet; the last' 88 feet indusive of· forming chamber, fixing plunger and pumps, and getting everything in readiness for commencing cross~cut on Robinson's reef at No.5 level, cost £1,264108, 5d. Stoping and driving aro still being continued on Robinson's roef, No. 4 level ; the price of stoping varies from 5s. to 8s. per ton . . ; , The Victoria Company crushed during the quarter 3,365 tons of qp.artz from various depths, tho great-est being 500 feet, the yield of which was 1,115 ozs. 19 dwts. 13 grs. of gold; the engine shaft has been sunk 25 feet below No.5 level. Stoping is being done on the different levels at prices varying from 78. 6d. to 17s. 3d. per ton. ; . .' : .,.",' I , I . •

. The Clunes Extended Company (alluvial) has erected a ,12 horse.power engine and all the neoessary appliances, and had 323 tons of stuff crushed by the battery of the Victoria ComplJ,ny, :which yieldod.5 dwt~'Jer ton; the company v:as afterwards reorganized and placed. in 320 scrip at £10 e.ach. forminll' a capIt. of £3.200. Last week another parcol of 350 tons of ,washdirt and mullock, obtained while Clearing out the drives, wa~ crushed and yielded 50 ozs. 6 dwts. of gold. .

The Clunes Alluvial Company obtainyd during the gUIll·ter 1,004ozs. 17 awts. of gold; blocking out is being continued in the northern pertion of the. elaIm, where the d th: of the washdirt is now iiJ:iout.']~O feet; ·,in. driving· south on the false:bottom a new run was.. co)ning:in from the south-.west, it has been driven on 300 feet and found to be from 4'() to 50 feet ..

, ... : The Soutli Clunes Company, having met with water in sinking, renewed the pit work and made various additions to it; the sinkmg is now.being dono under a 1O.inch lift; the present depth of the shaft is 375 feet, the ground being tolerably favorable the sinking has been le't at £~ lOs. per foot.

The New North Company's cross-cut 'is in 165 feet, and tho driving is now being done at £10 lOs. per fathom, ,

'l'he Princo of Wales Company (alluvial) is driving, and has struck washdirt on one side of a mullocky reof.

The Comet Company is down 110 feci and still in tlie rock.

..t •

•

16

GORDON SUBDIVISION.

M T. Wm. Davidson, Milning Surveyo?' and Registrar. I .


'. Total for the Europeans. Chinese. Remarks. , ~ubdivision.

Alluvial Miners ... ... 81 . .. 81

Quartz Miners ... ... , 30 .. . 30

Totals ... III ... III

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS IS THUS DISTRIBUTED:-Mount Egerton 10 All Nations Gully 17 Big Hill Reef 30 Parker's Gully 16 Lal-lal ... 9 Moorabool 16 BalIan 13

Total 111


-ALLUVIAL MINING. QUARTZ MINING.

Description of MaChinery., Aggregate I Number Aggregate

At Work. Idle. Horae-power of At Work. Idle. of Stamp Horse-power of Steam Engines. Head~. Steam Engines.

---' ------Steam Puddling ... ... I ...

I

8 . ... . .. ... . .. Horse Puddling ... ... 3 ... ... .. . .. . . .. Steam Crushing ... ... . .. ... -. .. I 2 43 52 Double Horse Whip ... ... . .. I

I ... . .. .. .

I

... . .. Horse Whims ... ... . .. ... . .. 2 I ... .. .

Total value of mining plant in the subdivision, £9000. ~umber of square miles of auriferous ground which is being, or may have been, actually worked

upon, 2-&. Number of distinct quartz rcefs which have been actually proved to be auriferous to the present

time, 17. . ' The price of gold during the quarter in the subdivision has been from £3 19s. 6d. to £4 Os. 6d.

per oz.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS BEEN OBTAINED RELATIVE TO THE QUANTITY OF QUARTZ CRUSHED DURING THE QUARTER, AND THE GOLD OBTAINED THEREFROM.

Name of Company. ,

Mount Egerton Quartz Mining Company

, Where Quartz was obtained.,

Big Hill Reef

Yl'eAldveOrnf geld Total Yield of Quartz crushed. per to<;.' Gold.

Remarks relative to the Depth at which the Quartz was obtained.

ton 'cwt. qr. 2,800 0 0

oz. dwt. gr. o ::! 6

oz. dwt: gr. The greater portion of this 455 0 0 stone was obtained from

a level 150 feet from the surface, and the balance from the BO-feet level.

Total, Quartz... 2,800 0 0 o 3 6 455 O' 0

During the quarter' very little change has occurred in mining affairs in this division, although in several cases efforts are being made which will ultimately have the effect of opening up and proving the district.

At BalIan a company has been formed to prospect for a lead supposed to be running,through the private property of Mr. Lyons. This company has purchased 7,200 acres of land for the sum of about £29,000. Sinking operations have already been carried out to ,a depth of 140 feet, and I have been informed that they resultcd in bottoming on auriferous earth at that depth. I anticipate being able in my next report to give a very favorable account of their further progress.

The Keerit Barreet (late Southern Cross) Company have reorganised, and propose recommencing sinking operations shortly. The prospects of this company are very good, and with good management will, in my opinion, tCll(~grcatly to attract attention to Gordon's as an alluvial as well as a quartz locality. '

The steam-puddling party at Mount Egerton have again commenced work, with very fair results, which promise to continue during the rainy seas.on.

o

17

Near the head _ of the Moorabool several small puddling parties are at work, with very fair success.

The Lal-Lal Basin Company have ceased sinking, for the purpose of reorganising the company. The shaft is now 175 feet deep; a large quantity of water was met With at that depth, which leads the proprietors to believe that they are within a few feet of the bedrock.

Q;uartz Mining. The Monnt Egerton Company continue at work with considerably improved yields, although

during the first five weeks of the present quarter operations were suspended in consequence of wan~ of water. Stone is at present being raised from the 80-feet and 150-feet levels, the yield from whIch averages Sf dwts. per ton.

A company is being formed to work the Opossum Reef, 'Gordon's. This reef, while in-work formerly, yielded very handsomely; and I am of opinion that to work it at a greater depth than heretofore would prove a very good speeulatiQn.

Alluvial Miners

Quartz Miners

S'fEIGLITZ SUBDIVISION.

Mr. T. Woolgrove, Mining Surveyor and Registra1'.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS IS AS FOLLOWS;-

Europeans. Chinese. I Total for the ! Remarks. Subdivision.

. ... ... 113 100 213 Alluvial mining

... ... 527 .. . 527 doned. ,

Totals ... 640 100 740

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS IS THUS DISTRIBUTED;-

Steiglitz .. . Stony Rises .. . :rvforrison's, Tea-tree'*' ...

507 20

lIS

partially

Dolly'li Creek, scattered in various gullies, no Europeans 100 Chinese working

Total 740

• Since the want of 'water, for sluicing purposes, t.he diggings almost abandon"'!.

THE MACHINERY IS AS FOLI,OWS:-

i

ALLUVIAL MINING. QUARTZ MmI:NG.


aban-

At Work. i 1~~~i~1i::- At Work. I Number AggregateHorse-

Idle. Idle. of-Stamp power of Steam

'~-I Head.'!. Engines;

'~--'

MORRISON'S_ , Steam Engines, engaged in wind-

ing and pumping ... . .. 4 2 14.1 ... ... '" . .. STEIGLITZ.

Steam Engines, engaged in wind-ing, pumping, and quartz-crushing ... . .. ... . .. I 19 \50 262 ... .. . ...

STONY RISES.

I

! Steam Engines, engaged in wind-

I ing, crushing, &c. ... ... . .. ... . .. 2 . .. 20 22

Total value ofminin~ plant in the subdivision, £56,500. . -Number of square mIles of alluvial ground whieh is being, or may have been, aetually worked

upon, 9, very scattered. Number of distinct quartz r!)efs which have been actually proved to be auriferous to the present ~~~. .

The price of gold during the quarter in the subdivision has been from '£3 18s. to £4 per oz. No. 69, b.

a

•

,THE FOLLOWING' INFORMA.TION' HAS' BEEN OBTAINED IUlLATIV~ TO' THEJQUANTITY' OF QUlRTZ (lRUSHED

, ; ),jI'"DU:R1NG; ~]fE QUARTER, AND THE"G,oLD OBTAINED THEREFROM.. " • " .. , ,

Name of Company. ,

. .

Where Quartz was obtained.

:&ll~~~t Q~artz'MiD'ing Company·'·····'·,'

Steiglitz ... ' ; ~. .}! ~~"./

Ditto 'Ditto -;-::~

Redan Company

, Steiglitz ... .::' Steiglitz;~~'

Steiglitz ..•

Albion Company ... Steiglitz '"

... - ... I'!:

Qua.rtz crushed. Yi,*J';;~ld :, per Ton. .'

ton cwt. qr. 'oz, dm. gr. 231 0 0

.t. 0 3 14.1.

.:.. :~.. 4

240 0 0 0 4 4ib 150 0 0'" '010 0

70' '0 0 i 0 0

120 0 0 1 2 16

Mll:lakoff Company... Steiglitz ... , ... _._ •. , _ 240 O. ~ __ . 1 7 l~

Steiglitz Quartz Mining Steiglitz ... Company .

160 0 0 o 10 15~'!J

, :Remarks rela.tive to the Tota.! Yield Of Depth at which theQuarti

Gold. was obtained.

, dwt.gr. oz.

,: 4J 10 0

}

Quartz ',0 btain~d . and raised from

50 3 0 7t; 0 0 70 0 ,0

136 0 0

331 10 0

85 3 0

" ' 295 feet depth Obtained at 235 feet

depth ._ Obtained from 400

feet depth Obtained from 230

feet depth Obtained from 241

feet depth

------ -----------1,211 0 0 o"iil oa 789 6 0 • ,... r '

Total, Quart~" .~.

'"

I have much pleasure in reporting iJiat during the ql1arter mining'matters, in this division, have been progressing favorably. Althougn the returns from quartz crushings have been comparatively small, it arises from the fact that n'early, an ,the new companies, now in organization, have been busy in erecting machineryldams, &c.; s.1ich'::'works,'are being·carried·on·wit4 all encrgy possible, and there is no doubt that.at. the_Emd.,of next quartcr I shall be able t:o.report first-rate results. ..

" On New Year's Reef, the t nfalakoff Company have, as usual, been most successful in their operations; th!l vei:I in thej •. plaiDt s~ill, .J.lresents the same app~arance as to size and quality:, being nearly 20 feet In Width, steadily keepmglts comBe. through easily worked country, and gold-canbe. traced throughout the whole trap: The company have· purchased a new steam engine of 40 horse. power, and 16 head battery, wbicp. is now in course of !1rection; they are enlarging their dam at a great cost, but it is confidently ~a8surcd to them by the appearance of their mine, returns, &c., that the outlay cannot have been injudiciously expended. .

From the Forty-Feet Claim there havc been .no returns for thc quarter. This company have been engaged.in cutting'down and widening their main windinganc1pumpiiig' shaft.

The returusJrom the Ballarat Quartz Mining Company, on tIre sanie re!3f, have been comparatively good, considering that the quartz crushed was taken from sinking a' new shaft. Vide returns. ." . , '

On .B~xing :Reef, St~iglitz;"~ theSt~iglit~ CompaiIy,' very iittl~' (ll:ushing ha~ been done since the formation of the new company; the company having been principally occupied in opening out main drives, north and south of the main shaft; at the 220·feet level a main drive has been put in to the south 241 feet, one to the north a further distance of 100 feet, making, with the previous drive of 360 feet, 460 feet. In the'northern drive, at an easterly angle; a cross· cut has been made 146 feet in length, and at this point intersected a vein which has not hitherto been wrought on this field; it averages in thickness 8 feet, and is highly auriferous. It may be described as consisting of a series of quartz veins, varying from 10 inches to l' inch in thickness, with layers of decomposed clayslate and sandstone between. phem, through-whieh,run small veins of quartz. containing gold.

The Electric Comp-any, Steiglitz, have been busily-'engaged in the construction of their dam, reservoir, &c.; they are ~onstr:1!ct!ng on!:l, of !4~ J:>~t, ~Ild large~t ~hafts on Steiglit,z. They have purch/t!!ed a. steam engine and quartz ~rushing battery, 15 head of "tampers, 'rand from .. the ,present prospects of tlie:cl~iW; ul\d., of th~.>:e~ns i 'liPQD. :JV~i9.!) ,the",works are pc I ing carried on, there is not the slightest doubt 'of good results.: .. -, ~.

In reference·to·:other·companies" I would mention--that-the l!~ollow the' beader Company are erecting their! machinery; thatlthe Excel Qua~tz Mining Company are erecting machiIl~ry, 'dams, &c. ; .. that the Albert Edwlj.rd Company are: erectlllg machlllery, dams, &c"; that the Prlllce :9f. Wales Company are ibusily employed i,n erecting their,llew plant on their. elail]l; from SlJ.ilor'~;R.eef:CqlI!PlJ.!lY no returns; out from the Ballarat Com})any, New Year's Reef; Redan Company, New Chum Reef; Albion Company, PortugueseB:eef; Malakoff Company, New Year's Reef; ane} the Steiglitz Company, Boxing Reef, phe retul'ps are satisfactory. " '. . . ~

.,OJ;!. MQrri;l()I!-'s,i the BOi·holl.,eyghurk Company have purchased a 'largc engine. ~nd stamping battery;'70 horse-powe'r, 28 heads of's tamps, for the p:Urpose of crushing the large quantitIes of cement, conglomerate, &c., :veIl known 'to con~ain gold, but which has been, up to the present time, lost from want of proper applIances of gold savlllg. ~ ! . ',' '. " .

The whole of the district may be considered to be in a most favourable' position ilst'o .its 'future capabilities and ultimate resources. .: ',:. .,: "! ' ., • , '

''''-On the 27th-1\'[~y, 1865, Mr. Minil?:g. ~tp.·l'eyor ~yp9igrov.e fl!l~islJ.ed th,c follpwing report to t~c Honorable the Minister of Mines :-" I, have thc hOnor, to ·informyou that two large tracts' of allUVIal mining land have been'taken tip near Geelong,'one on'·tlie Chilwell Flat,. the other at EyansfOr~, on the plateau extending from ~lie back of the .S;Van·hotel t? ;S~ck~e'y's ]falfs and;·the Barwon Rlyer. Ground has aJsobeen OCCUPIed for quartz mllllllg purposes Ill' the' CargerlC ·AgrIcultural Area, south and west of, and nearly adjoinillg, Read's P. R. In this ca~e gold has been fqun~ both in the quartz veins and aJluv~1 deposits." " '.' . .' ",,' . .

•

~,~

,"'" , '.! ... ,; :~~AC~.W~RD;!)';>tyJ;~~ON.,;.. , ;, " ~ ~q: :.;"-;!'.:1')-"., •. ~>I • (-, ," ,.:\ ~:.1' :,.: ~ ..... -,~!-,;- ~ ,h.,.' ~_)-t ~ .~

ltIr.; E. G. Magnu,Bi .Minvng·S,wrveyor·and· Registrar . , ...

• I. " , ."

' ..

~!_<·4 •• ¥·~~ • ,,: , ... ' ...... ~; Europeans. . . ,)

" 'q

Alluvial Miners ~'. '') " ;.,:'635 ·480.11 I +,115 , I"" : :

Quartll ~iners '1, 'r " ••• " 242 " .... ".Jo,:. ',242

877 480 1,357 I'" I. ;;.

Totals .. '.~' ": 1-",. '" '" 11~"""1IV~ '1"

., .. :' ~ ~

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS is Tlius Di~TRIBUTED l-p Golden Point Red Hill Simmon's ReefSebastopol ... Yankee Gully

... ~ "

Yankee Reef ... .

300' 220

" i ,,! " 125. 95

115 . .. --,-19,

l\bin Creek, below Sebastopol .. . Garibaldi... ... ... ...,

'176 17

. .}; . ~ ',.!.; ~ I·

Goodman's'Creek" ••• '! Split.thie,Gully.Ranges . i .. Jackson?s Gully ... ''';;. Johnson's Reef Barry's Reef -United -Reef, -Lucky-hit Reef

.' ;

·1

• '" ..... I .

35 . 90

7 '25

90 9 4

Ballan Flat .I::')f!?l! iJlii,W'; "Totil 1,357

Description of ;Machinery.

;, \ , _'_"_~' AL-c-L_~IAL:~G; :!,,!I: IfL' ::", f'.., .'Q~ARTZ_~~;--___ _

• '. '" Aggregate 'r' I·" ' .C· Number ":':,~~~C:'1 ! .~'.:d:'::=-ff1;..!d:~:!-:< Idle.' j=;]';::~~~~~:, Idle. ~h~"d:~, ,~8otn.l~

---_ .. _--: J': ,-I:' I ~~:;..

Steam Engines , .. , Water Wheels ,- .... '".,' ... " Water Wheels, for drainage ;V" Whims ; IIorse~power Puddling Maehines'

... -, 1 q., II

. "2" ,., ,:.;-"

• 78 76

Total value of mining plant in the division, £29,400.. 'dl1~'i "l :.",i .'J

161

Number of square miles of auriferous. ground w~ich is ?eing, or m~y h,lI;ve' b'een, actually worked upon, 2t. nl ", ,.' .~. llff(!~,-' 4ln .. 1 if') -fn~1 t; \ 1'}.\.",,;.~; ""1',1"0. ~

Number of 'distinct. quartz reefs which have .. been actually proved"to,be"a,uriferous to the presenttime,13. :'r .. .', ", .. ',m'i1.::,:<.[8C,;:,:.\,fi .t:r:r ",.'{

The price of ·gold during the quarter in the division has been from £3 16s. to £3 178. per oz. ,'ji !.t''''n~J'

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS lUliEN OBTAINED RELATIVE TO THE QUANTITY OF QUARTZ AND

QUAllTZ TAILINGS AND CElL~::iTiE¥,P'~H1jlP' i9,ulf~!j'8,,:;!:e:!1i.;,Q;\J~TER, AND THE GOLD OBTAINED. THEREFROM.

°It'::'· ~~,,'rf ;u!.. v ':'.~f~""01'·~:-.. ~:i ,,''':JJi .l'·:~",1 tb. I ,"Ii' ~ ~ ';;Utoti""1 ~":~r. Oz. dwt. gr. oz .. dwl :gr.

Williams Brothers and Simmon's.Reef-..........-. -4oo~,0~0 0,3 12, 70 0·' 0 ' ,165 feet Company , .1

Crown Company I Simmon's Reef. 100 0 0 0,,2 0 IIG 0 i 0 140"fei( .. i .. ·.,:.:· .... ,.,I. Imperial Company .... Simmon's Reef... 515 0 0 0 8 0 206 0 10' 125 feet " . MacredieandCompany I Newman's Reef... 142 0 0 1 7 21~ 198 0';0 From 90tolliffeet ' Pioneer.ColllPany ... Trewhella's Reef ..... 70 \>.0 ,0 Z 12. 26 .~ .... i. 0, ,1~j) . .fee,t Ca~dage"and Company 1 Barry's ~.eef .•. 16 0 0 0 7 0 5 12'1 0 to feet Alpine Company St. George's Heef ••. '35 '~'O< o'! ,! 0 '4' 0 I :",(7 ot. 0 '30 feet : TrJl6:Blue Gompany... ,St .. ,Geo,l'ge's Reef,.;." ,( 94 fO ••• 0, . d) .9:" !!" ",-4,2: .6, ,,0'~1 ~Wfeet ". True Blue Company... St. George's Heef... '9 0 O. 0 17 25 7 14 0 60 feet .;,. _. GraeeEgertonCompany St. George) Reef ... , 81 ,0 0 0 4 ,,0 1 I6 4 0, .From surface" Faughoa-BaUagh' Com:!"St':George's'Reif i:.:; ,',:; '3i":' 6"lfO' !iGii" 0';':: C""5'f!f'7t~lo"'i;!90 feet" l' I, pany. ,i I .t: :0' !

Great.Timnel·Company 'I!Johnson's~Reef,,,,(.,,, :>'1,200~~ ,f00-i3:l..I,L200iLOf, (II; 40:feett1, .. " ... "

Quartz Tailings and Total, Quartz... 2,699.,,0 .... 0 0 6 6~. 846 8. 0 I Cement crushed. ------ _____ 1 ___ ·_,

Gi;(n'ge· ;,Wood, .. and' "PyrettePlains '''11;'' 1,:510:0 '.0' ,'19" 4' 6 ~i,' :f08 7)12" 70·.feet Company : ,. .' I' !

". ~ 1< .;. 0 • .,' _

20

I have the honor to report that, owing to ,the long-continued scarcity of water, alluvial mining, except in the creek, is comparatively at a standstill. 1'he creek workers are gcnerally satisfied with the returns they are obtaimrig. The Yankee Creek sluicing Company have put on a few mcn, but unless we have ruin shortly they will have to suspend operations again. None of thc sluicing companies have had a wash-up as yct, 80 that it is not possible 'to say how they 'are likely to do this season. ,

Quartz mining in this division is looking brighter than it has ever done before, though as yet, there is ]10 water for crushing purposes. The Crown Company, have their tunnel up, and are now waiting for water. The Cornish Company will scarcely be in with their tunncl this season. The Imperial Company are likely now to do well; the mine is in good working order, and the stone they ~re getting is very payable. The Big Hill Company have erected a new machine, and have their tunnel lll; they are only now deficient.ofwater.

On St. George's Reef there is no crushing being done. The 'l'rue Blue Company managed to crush 9 tOllS from a paddock of about 300 tons, 'from which they obtained 7'oz. 14 dwts. Several shares in this'claim have changed hands at £50 for a fifty-second share; there is no machine belonging to this company. The Faugh-a-Ballagh Company crushed ,37 tons from one of their paddocks of about 100 tons, from which they obtained 1 oz. 11 dwts. to the ton. A powerful steam crushing plant is much

, requjr.lld on this line of reef. Trewhella Brothers and Company have not crushed any stone, but are quite satisfied with the quality of the stone they are getting. The tributers are doing very well in the old workings of the Great Tunnel Company's claim, and there is every indication of this being ultimately a very profitable mine when the tunnel is ul?' ' , 1'4~ N eck·or-N othing claim on the !'yrctte Plains is likely to pay well; the tunnel is in under the trap ~ock, and they are obtaining payable gold. , .

Gu~er and party, four men, ohtained a fine nugget on Friday last. weighing 53 OZ" on Phipp's Flat. .

~.-'---.... -------

BLUE MOUNTAIN SOUTH SUBDIVISION. , . . Mr. R. H. Horne, Milning Registrar.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS IS AS l'OLLOWS:-

Europeans. (.'hinese. Total for the Subdivision. Rewlrs. {

Alluvial Miners ... . .. 45 ... 45 Other populatio n

Quartz Miners 15 15 ... . .. ... , ... _--

Totals ... 60 ... 60

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS IS THUS DISTRIBUTED:

Wilson's Gully 5 10

,10 20 15

Kilkenny Hill ... .... Lower Road, or back of the Camp Snake Gully , ... ... Localities having nq special name

Total ... " 60

. ' THE MACHINERY IS AS FOLLOWS:-'

ALLUVIil. MINING. QUARTZ MrnmG.

ThlsCrlption of Machinerl'.

At Work. I I , I Aggregate Number

Idle. Horse-ifrwer of AtWork. , Idle. of Stamp I Steam nginea. Heads.

. Sluicing Machines. , .. 2 ... ... . .. ... .. . Puddling Machines ... 2 .. - ... ... ... .. . Long Toms ... ... 2 ... ... .. . .. . , .. .

,

Total value of mining plant in the subdivision, £100 •.

10.

Aggregate HOl'Se-COf Steam 'es .

... '"

-

upon, Number'of square miles of auriferous ground which is being, or'may have be~n, actually worked

Number:of distinct qUartz reefs which have been actually proved to be aurif~r~us to the p~esent time,3. ' \ The price of gold during, the quarter in the subdivision has been from £3 178. to £3 17s. 3d.

per oz.

The ·Reform .Quartz Mining Company has made no movement since my last report; bnt several new claims h~ve been taken up in Snake GUlly, the promoters believing that they have found a continuation of a rich reef, recently discovered with,in three miles, on this side, of Mount Blackwood.

21

BEECHWORTH MINING DIST,RICT.

BEECHWORTH SUBDIVISION.

Mr. Olarence Srrnitk, Miming Surveyor and Re[1istrar.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS IS AS FOLLOWS :-

EUl'oPea.n1l. Chinese. Subdivision . I Total for the Remarks.

. Alluvia.l Miners ... ... 84i 1,050 1,897

Quartz Miners ••. ... ... 165 ... 165

Totals ... 1,012 1,050 2.062


Pennyweight Flat 40 Napoleon Flat One-mile Creek 25 Eldorado Lead Two-mile €l'eek . 48 . Murmungee Lead Three-mile Creek 260 Wa.ttle Gully ... Six-mile Creek 25 Kneebone's Gully Hurdle Creek... 40 McLean's Gully China.man's Flat 80 German's Gully Deep Creek ... 25 Myrtleford Reefs Silver Creek ... 35 Buffalo River ... Madman's Gully ... 35 Sheep. station Creek Reefs, near Lake Kerferd 40 Black-sand Creek Spring Creek... 150 Magpie Creek Reid's Creek ;.. 90 W ooragee Flat Young's Creek 20 W ooragee Reefs W oolshed 216 Sebastopol 105 . Total


ALLUVIAL MINING. QUA.RTZ MINlNG.

Description of Machinery. Aggregate Number At Work. Idle. Horse-cof At Work. Idle. of Stamp

Steam ell. Heads.

---------

Steam Engines ... ,., 14 3 177 2 ... 20 Puddling Machines , .. ... 2 2 ... ... ... ... Whims, and Pulleys ... ... 12 \ ... ... ... .. . ... Suction and Elevator Pumps ... 57 ... ... ... . .. . .. Sluices and Toms ... ... 200 ... ... ... .. . . .. Water Wheels ... ... 31 ... 90 3 1 20 Hydraulic Hoses ... '" 20 ... ... . .. ... . .. Sluice Boxes ... ... 2,800 ... ... ... ... ... Crushi.llg Machines ... ... .. . ... ... 5 1 40 Whips ... ... ... 5 ... ... ... . .. ...

8 120 70 20 85 48 25 52 30 11 5

160 150 64

2,062

Aggregate

ft~~:·~~~~B~

26 . .. .. . ... . .. 28 ... . .. 54 . ..

Total va.lue of mining plant in the subdivision, £27,300. : Number of square miles of auriferous ground which is being, or may have been, actually worked

upon, 14. Number of distinct quartz reefs which have been actually proved to he auriferous to the present

time, 22. The price of gold during the quarter in the subdivision has been from £3 19s. to £4 per oz.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAlil BEEN OBTAINED RELATIVE TO THlil QUANTITY OF QUARTZ CRUSHED DURING THE QUARTER, AND THE GOLD OBTAINED THEREFROM. .

•

I I T tal Y' I or I Rema.rks l'eItl.tiva to the

Name of Company. Where Qua.rt.z WIlS Quarlz crushed. Y~IiI~Gold o le d : Depthatwhlch the Quarlz obtained. per Ton. Gold. was obtained.

ton em. qt. 0 .. 'dwt. gr. oz. dwt. gr.

Messrs. Bolan a.nd Canadian Reef, Mad· 9 0 0 1 10 0 13 10 0 10 feet. Wood man's Gully

r"",

I believe there are about 300 tons of quartz ready to be crushed at the W o01'll,gee Reefs, which will yield about one ounce per ton.

I have the honor to report that both quartz and alluvial mining have -improved during the quarter, although the returns from either have not been very great, bnt this is owing to the scarcity of water, .which is felt/~very:.":h~r~, even ~a:ke ~erferd is nelLrly .• d.ry, and. most .of. the _springs, with the exceptlOn of those 'at Stanley, are' only"giv:ing lialf their usual quantity ; thus, the mmers have been working without spirit, collecting washdirt week after week waiting for a supply of water. An exemplification of the value of water is as follows':- a-miner on the Three-mile sold to his partners last week his share in race and claim for the sum of one thousand (.;t;l,OOO); and in my perambulations t~rough this division, I have heard"various'reports 'of.'.abandoned l.ends and gullies being taken up in dIfferent quarters which pay wages even by washing with the cradle. 'rhis scarcity of water, however, may not prove so disasfrou,s,as might be ll,ntj9ipated~g:}'''a .. ca,s;gl:!.h9bs!<!iYpr ,oCmining matters, for when

, th~ miner Bees that he can do no more' in one place he goes to another; and prospecting for quartz bemg the most advantageous for the time, many liappy results are accomplished. So has it been with Beechworth. A great number of miners are even now prospecting for-quartz in the surrounding ranges. -Threeor·four parties have already discovered reefs which promise.exceedingly well, and even with their rude working h;nplements will reward,. tlJplll .handsom.ely for their labor; but were capital introduced, whereby the mih-er'might obtain machinery :and miiiing plant applicable to quartz mining, in order to work the:ground·in--n-,more scientific manner, and thoroughly to test·its value, .new--reefs would- be found day after day, and:r am of opinion that this division would he 'as successful as any of the other quartz mining districts in the colony.' Twill uowendeavor to give:au account of the various leads; gullies, and quartz reefs that have·impi:ovcd in this division. fl' • .. .. , .. '.' ',,,! ': '

The miners of Bowmnn's Forest al'e now'working with I'enewed vigour; Kneebone's Gully has been all taken up for more than a mile; three 01' four parties above th/f Flower of the'Forest prospecting ~~p1 ~av:e struck.go~d .. y'FY .:ie~, a!l4 flb~llt, !l<,do~e!! ~fl]ow' have come, OJ,l the lead, ~which !lEPf..~:'s 4t~J.,?e very WIde, and a large quantity of wash dirt that wIll YIeld one ounce of gold to the load, I am gIven to understand that a qllarterlshareJlas been solddnAhe prosp!W,ting <el~im~for'ilbout £950 to one of the' shareholders. Several claims have been lately. registered about half a mile below the prospecting claim, 'lip.d a company has been formed in 8i;der to';;"et, machin.~ry on the ground, so as to work'with gre'aiQr facility .. The company have made dpplication for a:gold mining lease of seveuty-five (75) ·acrei,.,""''''''''· ~/ A new lead has been founcfiLbollt,' one ·miHi . .west' Of the Flower of the Forest prdspectiDg'clairri; called McLean's'Gully, but not 4avin'g'.yet ,been' eallel1:'upon' to mark off the elaims, I am not'ina g~sition to s,tate th~ pllrticu~ars il.~)~,:the,' ~:el?'F~l, dir~ction, (lnd width of th? lead} but from' 'Y)1at:I uJlderstand It promIses .very well,. ,9:!l, Ii! . e~:~en~: frorp. t~e f~ct of a doz~n claIms belDg, tfken: ~E ~a~oye l\ohd below the prospectlDg shaft, I].n(;1, all t)ie'pl1rtJ(ls w'orklllg m a most VIgorous manner.··' .~ ".:, . ,r .. ~; A new lead is being sought:fo·r,'j4'.~ a.tt~e ·!}ulli.::~ 'l'his is the third time of this gullY'sbei~gti;iea, the present partY'still having confid~ii;;e:iriith'lh.%h\:Hf§is of the alluvial deposit ; and, as I stn,ted' in m,y la~t report, that the previous partY 'l;i:l.'d 'b~en . beaten :o.li t bywater, the present party have" takeiiiiip' a' totally different 'position, hoping tel" strik~J ~iiother 'lead'with less water. Five claims have been registerea; 'tilLof which are being worked, butU.Jj'.tb·t!Hl'· pi:e~eHt: time none have bottomed. Accoi;ding'td'th~ \iliture of the ground, this gully hq~\hll'tlie~'appearahq~l',ofbeing as good as Kneebone's Gully.~: '> , !"'=' ... " All the other alluvial millidifis'pro'gressing ~itli:its usual success. I may' add that'the:-Eldoradn Iea-dJooks more promising than it has done for sOfid ti~~. Napoleon Flat is almost entirely.deserte,d;

. tllls'f believe is on'account of the formation of thb 'C)'vensGold and Tin Mining Company,; 'tl1e' share list of which is being rapidly fil~ed_lrR'tI{,rJB.'ee!:~I~i,ms.JlaY!l' ~een:~eeured by the comp::-ny ~nder the amalgamation bye-law, comprismg an a~eaof ground ~,400 yards lD)e}lgth by 40Q Y!1rdS,l!l. w.ld!h. .,

Relatingj;~.qlt~Jt~,;eefs, . I ~m h~ppy to ~~t:?::. t~aUi~,r (5) Pl'~sp?cting claims have been taken up under the'oye:laws 'of' the distrICt. IThe Canltdlan' :H..eef III Madman s Gully (and about a quarter 6f~-mile from tlfe~Devil'sReef,wliich~~as been"abandoned) appears to be very rich in ; three elroms,·haveheeIt;.taken ull north rold sQutht;of1.rospectors, but have not yet:strllclr ;r6ef. The 4~~~1!~\lfs'f: ~f'~~@_:if6noW~:: IIi:lJil'l'nih.rl . t 3()(ff~ yaralj"'we's~ of Lake Kerferd; Primrose or' Ireland Reef, north 01 Lake Kerferd; I oor::tgee Ranges and Reef about two miles west of~ocf~ Po~t. ~o,l north and south also ~~eing"t,a1i:en up.-,-A'.U of' "- reefs-iire'turiiiii-oufsto~e whic1l-wlU y~eldov~r ar: ounce, to the tOll. . •• ;' , . :. , .: ~, - .,!!:.: .~

.. .A cO:rJpany IS ~elDg'~onped at BtrWldgee, called the Ellin~ Reef Gold Mmmg C. . .fo~',t~e, better'worklllg of"the,BarWldgee reefs. ,. :... I:! i .. ·., ::;j , .. "~!(,~: ~w: ,f ,!;~ ;

,., 1.# r I .. ~ ow',, 1" " .. :;.ft.lI ... -!(l~ ,hV ... \ ••. ,.:}U .. ~ ~Ol .. ~, ,..', . ,. I:,"u j.... _. - I 1"<":' I H ~{!l~{:' hrp~ ~.·'~~iJ:~ ~ t .. !! O~ G I ~,u! ! !,:! di"':!Ir!vr #l:,\h"V:

"

... STANLEY SirBDIVISIOtt, .. '. ,: .. )"')1:~_~'!~~'lt;:a

~~ i 0,· :.ll1r; j~hnf Sm~iett, k~~ing ie;~tr~r:- ~~tL):~:~:'~:·~Jr:;·!~;; ~- -- -,-"'~~I 'T~=;;~A~~NUM::BE1R' ·OF MINEiis"IS ~·.!S· FOLLOWS~~ .~.,.

..... \',' ," ,., .. ,,"liIr .~ ... 1ri' '. .. I. ..... :,"01 ". I J' ........

:Remarks. . ,"'~;.I. , -, , ..

. ' !

""""f'~~;f621 "'::"~,~"" <\"-'

23

.",

QUA.RTZ MIlmIG. " ------,--....... --i'-----:--:,------:-----'--,

Descriptioo of MlWhinery. • At Work. Idle. Aggregato.

Horse-l2.0wer of Stea.m J!ngiues • . '

Number I' 'Aggregate • , At Work. Idle. of Stamp Hor..,-~w~"of Heads.. Steam .J!lng1Iles.

-"i ::: ~I ,

Puddling Mills ... . .. 14 1 ' .... ... . .. ... ... . .. ... 12* revolving I

Quartz Mills ( I

• Also driven with wa.ter-power wh(lll there is a. supply.

, Total value of mining plant -in the subdivision, £6,000. " Number of square miles of auriferous ground which'is'being, or may have 'been, actually worked

upon,12t. ".. " -' "., :'. ,. " : N umbpr of distinct quartz reefs which have been actually proved to he,auriferou~. to the present

time, );4.;1, " .. ' ',', , ,'. Ii" ., .. , .' The p;ice 'of gold during the quarter in the; stlbd~vision' ha,;,been frofn £3 19s. to £3 19s. 6d.

per oz. __ . _._ 1

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAB BEEN OBTAINED RELATIVE TO THE iQUANTITY OF QUARTZ CRUSHED ~,URING THE QUART,ER, AND THE GOLD OBTAINED, THEREFROM.

Where Quar" was ob,ained,

: Avera.~e Tomi ;ield of I Remarks ~l~t.iv: to ~~e Quartz crushFd. i Yield of Gold Gold Depth a.t which the

. per Too, ._ I -' • ,Quartz was ohtained. ~~~~-"""""""-:----------I---__ rf-- _____ 1 __ -,-.-;, __ -------

ton 'ewt. ,q~. oz. dwt. gr. oz. dwt. gr.

Homeward Bound Rocky Point *96 0 '0' 12 13! 156 4 12 300 feet.

Homeward Bound -Rocky P~int

D.Scanlan and Com- Kerry Eagle Reef,

pany " ~ackso~'s Gu~: I, 'Totals _ •.

276 0 0 8 14 394 9 0 320 feet in <Iepth.

lIa 0·' 0 q. o J2~ 116 '0 01 115 feet in depth.

485 0 0 1-1 7 iqi 666 {3 12 I !, !

. • This qwmtity was crushed d~rin,; the qoorter eridi;lg 31st March, 1865, but' tho i~fonh .. tion w~s not received in time to be . • . .. ., publishod in the report for that quarter,

. . 1'4e subdivision has suffered tremendously during th~'quarter, in consequence of no rain; many of ~he sJuieers have'had to r<!linquish wa,shing, u-p, lEll1vin~,it to'be d~ne ~f~r t,he ~inter rain!! s!Iall h~ve illcreased the supply of water. What the mmers h~ve been able to realIse m former years, at ChrIstma~ and in the .ear~y mo~th8 of .tlte year, has hB.~ ,to be inde.finite.ly pqstpone~,thereby ca~~ing a yery serlOUS depressIOn m bus1!less throughout the dlVl.BlOn. Durlllg the week wei have been VISIted WIth a ~eavy f~ll of snow, the' nrst' ind~cati~n.of ,wintcr/wlPch, w~U mate~ially str,e~gthen t,hc spri~gs and llicrease the water s)lpply. AlhivJal mmmg has neve~ before been so dull as 1t has been durmg the quarter. I am happy to be able to give a more cheering report of quartz min'ing. The reef' at Rocky still continues to improve, as it. descends, th~ widt~ of the ~eef at its present depth is ~ feet; and the Kerry Eagle, at Its present depth, 18 lookmg very r1ch. Some lvery good stone ,lB"nOW being taken out, the results Of wllich will not be. known until crushed. Seve~al parties are out prospecting for' ~eefs, and. all report fa,voiably of their discoveries. The difficu~ty existing in procuring crusliing power is a great drawback :1;0 the development' of quartz mining ill this subdivision.

Alluvial Miners Quartz J\finers ...

, .

, , " . J,

;.-. " ;'< I.

YACKANDANDAH ,SUBDIVISION. ;

M1,. , Tkos, ri. 'Kennan, Mining SurveyorCftnd Reg~trar.

. .. THE TOTAL NUMllER OF MINERS IS AS FOLLOWS:-

Europeans, Chin~se, Total for the S~bdi.,.ision; Remarks:

..... _---

1,100 ---- .....

1,6'50' 550

84 84

Totals l,l84 550 1,734

24

THE TOTA.L NUMBER OF MINERS IS THUS DISTRIBUTED:-

70 Osborne's Flat' 62 Allan's Flat ... 75 Staghorn Flat.., • 20 Kinchinaton's Oreek 31 Twist's reek ... 37 Olear Oreek

210 70 55 60

German Flat ... Muddy Oreek .. , Murphy's Flat Haye's Point Kerby's Flat ... Bell's'Flat " , .. McOarthy's Flat Whisky Flat Township Hills

60' Little River ...,.....

122 147 10

175 Gullies between Kinchington's Oreek and 50 ' Yackandandah ... ... .. .

Pike's Flat ... Rowdy Flat

180 250

THE MA.CHINERY IS AS FOLLOWS:-

~

50

Total' 1,734

ALLUVIAL MINING. QUARTZ MINING. , Description of Machinery.

Aggregate Number :At Work.

Aggregate ~Idle. IIorsewcof At Work. Idle. of stamp Horse-power of SteaIll . las. Head •. Steam Engine ••

.---~~- 'I !-

Water Wheel~, for drainage 27 13 ... ... . .. ... purposes

'I ..... "", 1 of 25 feet 4 diameter

Water Wheels and Stampers I 1 of 30 feet 8 ... ... .. . ... diameter 1

11 of 25 foet diameter '" 8

Steam Engine ... ... ... . .. ... I . .. 8 8 I

NO:rE.-The two machine3 idle are in wallt of water.

Totai value of mining plant in the subdivision, £4.000.

N urn ber of square miles of allrifero~s ground w hieh is being, or may have been, actually worked upon, 9. ,

Number of distinct quartz reefs which have been actually proved to be auriferous to the present' time, 30. , .

The price of gold during the quarter in the subdivision has heen from £318s. 6d. to £3 198. per oz.

THE lWLLOWING INFORMATION \ HAS BEEN OBTAINED RELA.TIVE TO THE QUANTITY OF QUARTZ CRUSHED DURING THE QUA.RTER, AND THE GOLD OBTAINED THEREFROM.

,Name of Company. , Where Quartz was

obtained. A •• rage ' Remarks relative to the

I

!

Twist's Creek Reef ... Twist's Creek Reef, No.

1 North

Twist's Creck Ditto ...

Quartz ~uahec1. y;~ ~~~:d I_Y_io_l_g_}a_b_o_1d_." ! __ ~_~_P_~_z_:_!_s o_j;'_~_'C_he_d,_k_~~

::: --~-rg'~' 'j oz. <lwt. gr. 4 5 7!o 17 149

oz. <1m. gr. 177 0 0

74 0 0 I 106 feet deep 60 feet deep

Twist's Crook Reef, No. Ditto I South

Southern Cross Wallace's ... United Reef .••

'" I Ditto .. . Ditto .. .

United HeeL. Bangor Reef Homeward Bound ...

Ditto... .. . Ditto ••. .. . Clear Creek' .. . Kinchington's Creek

Totals, Quartz

26 10 0

119 00 35 0 0 24 0 0

o o o

2l 0 780 0

, 50 0

o 13 5

o 8 21 o 19 0 1 14 9 o 18 2; 050 200

17 10 0

52 16 ,0 33 5 0 41 5 0 19 0 0

195 0 0 100 0 0

I----~I-----~I---'---

o 12 OJ- 709 16 0

70 fect deep

90 feet deep 50 feet deep Tunnel 30 feet.in

40 to 80 feet deep From surface down to 20 feet; trial crushing

The majority of the hill miners are idle, anxiously expecting rain. The few days wet we have had will set a few claims going, but the supply will only last for a short time. Quartz minin!j is p~gressing favorably, but also impeded by want of water, the mills not being able to work .anythll'!g hke full time. The Homeward Bound, Kinchington's Oreek, have had a trial crushing, '!nth a Yleld of 2 oz. to the ton, and a reef about 4 feet wide. This has given a great impetus to mining in that locality, and a lease has' already been applied for on that reef, There is no change to report in other mining

. matters.

SANDY CREEK SUBDIVISION.

Mr. John W. Beattie, Mining Registrar.


1 Europeans. Chinese. Tota.l for the Subdivision. Remarks.

~--.. --.. I - .

Alluvial Miners ... 44 190 234 This return is Quartz Miners ...\ applicable to ... ... ... " . ... the previous

Totals I 44 190

I 234

quarter. ...

THE TOTAL NU~nlER OF MINERS IS THUS DISTRIBUTED:

Sandy Creek, from Reservoir downwards to Cemetery (3 miles) Sandy Creek, from Cemetery to Niven's Flat (1~ miles) Sandy Creek, from Niven's Flat to Beazly's Flat (! mile) Sandy Creek, Beazly's Flat and to Junction (It miles) Lockhart's Creek, and below the Junction ...

34 120 58 10 12

o Total ... 234


ALLUVIAL M.ININo. QUARTZ MniINo.

1-- -----Description of Machinery. l .' I

Aggregate Number I At Work_ Idle. Horse.power of At Work. Idle. , of Bmmp

Steam Engine •. r Heads.

"-~- ---- - .. __ .. ,

Water Wheels for 5 ... . .. ... ... I ... pumping I

Elevator Pumps 5 ... ... ... I ... ... . .. !

Aggregate Horse-power of Steam Engines.

...

. ..

Total value of mining.plant in the subdivision, '£1,100. Number of square miles of auriferous ground, which is being, or may have been, worked upon, 2. Number of distinct quartz reefs which have been actually proved to be auriferous to the present

time, nil. The price of gold during the quarter in the subdivision has been from £3 lIs. 9d. to £3 12s.

per oZ'In prcparing the following report upon the Sandy' Creek Subdivision, the first since its separation from Yackandandah, my remarks shall be partially retrospective, in order the better to exhibit the present and probable future prospects of this gold field. It has, like its neighbors, considerably' declined III the number of its mining population, consequent upon a falling off in the yield of gold; stIll it is far from bearing indications of being worked out, and instances of lucky finds, both in bank and ereek, are oecasionally to be met with, which equal those of the good old times. The apparent superiority of former years in produeing more gold simply arises from the fact that the rich patches were most accessible and easily stumbled upon, and of course were soon exhausted, while by following the present mode of digging, the miners have b~ome more settled, and have adopted more economical and improved plans of working, such for instanee as following the example of the lower Yackandandah in the use of horses and drays for stripping in creek claims. l'he progress of tracing the gold downwards suffered a check about twelve months ago, when several companics of Chinese abandoned new claims that they were opening below the junction of Lockhart's Creek. Surfacing, which for the last few years has been comparatively neglected, IS again beginning to revive. Many new claims have this summer been registered, and only waiting for a more plentiful supply of water to be put in active operation. The surface and creek claims have equally suffered from the protracted drought, and although there is a magnifieent reservoir, constructed at an elevation sufficiently high to eommand nearly all the known auriferous ground, still for want of a main race to convey the water to the prineipal area of the diggings, it is as yet unavailable to any extent; while even for the supply of the creek claims in summer by running the water in the bed of the creek, it becomes nearly all absorbed ill the sand. In fact, taking into consideration that surface claims are being worked on both sides of the creek, it would in my opinion be advisable to have a double raee cut, as, with the exeeption of a few lards of Huming across two or three gullies, there would be no obstacle or great expense in the way 0 cutting. The miners are anxious to have the water made available for next summer.

With reference to quartz mining in this subdivision, I have to report that no auriferous reefs have as yet been discovered, although this, I believe, is more attributable to the lack of a thorough seareh than the non-existence of such. Specimens have not unfrequently been met with in the alluvial workings, while quartz reefs are to be found in every direetion. The miners, in. their ideas of practical geology, seem to be averse to prospecting for gold in the granite formation. Their theory has evidently met with a direct refutation in the recent diseoveries at Wood's Point. .

Before concluding, I would wish to call attention to the probable existenee of an extensive gold field along the course of the Little River: During the last two or three years parties have been at work near its source, and gold has been found for 30 miles along the banks; but this summer, from the-

No. 69, c.

26

lowness of the river, a party of miners from Sandy Creek have been enabled to prospect the gravel in the bed, and obtained uniform prospects ,of rl;! and 14speddo,the"dish from below Gundowring Station upwards, So confident are they of its proving payable, that they have been taking steps to organise a company for the purpose of opening a claim on the ,river;. about 8 miles,above Gundowring: The rich discoveries lately made in th'e "qUar't£ reE!f~\:dil' Kiriblli'ti-gtol';;s ;R~ng:es; '(:in the western and Yackandandah side of the Little River, also tend to confirm the probability of this eventually proving to be a payable gold field, The greatest drawback that private enterprise will have to contend with will be the expense of the undertaking. The party above referred to have' been making preliminary enquiries, in ()rder.to.ascertain what external assistance :will be accorded to, them by such portion of the public aa are likely to be most directly benefited by the discovery.

! . : ( ,'" , .' ~ '... ... . '

INDIGO DIVISION.

Mr. Rober.t Arrowsmith,. M Vni~g. Surveyor and ,Registrar. , \ .,':: ,,". . , '1'1.) " ,I I,:,"

THE TOTA~ NUMBElf, o~ ,MINERS IS AS ,FOLLOWS:r;-' " ",',

Europeo.ns. Chinese. Total for the

Division.


'455 "" .... ,,' 248 ,- 703 " "

{'·r-: 44

.",J'\>,tals 499

THE ,TOTAL; NUMBER

Indigo Lead . , , Durham and Caledonian

, . New Hibernian

248:

!

747

I !.

9F MINERS is THUS DiSTRIBUTED ':"::""

ll6 Glencoe 14 Garibaldi

-- 60 Hibernian ,

ReDlli.rks.

. ... ,;.'

40

Suffolk '" ', .. , .. . ," Chiltern and New ·Ballarat· .. .

40 ·Hio·" j,I,"i':

"Newcastle I 'Clydesdale ' -!.·d::.)

8 34 20 28 22 Stockyard .

Lancashire Black Dog Sebastopol Wahgunyah

'; LaIiarkshire : Robert Burns ! Fifeshir,e ··,All England

~ .. ~ ... '. I

: ~ Description of Mac,binery.' ~

. '. .

'''40 ' Lucknow ;

8 Higgins' Reef, ',83' Magenta Reef'

12 'Eureka Reef ·10 Barrambogie

" '35' , , All Nations .. I 5 , "Kangaroo ", '8 • J

"'20' '"

THE ,MACHINERY ,IS AS FOLLOWS:-

ALLUVIAL Mnmw. "

d'::

"',: , .. I.

.:.

Total

QUARTZ MINING:

,,'

I

")1

"

" 18 8 4 2 8 "

'4

,,<1747

1 ~ 'J I • t '.. r At. Work. , • '':; , 'J 'AggTegate : I: rl

Idle. Horse-power of At Work .•.. H I Idle. N~be~' I r 'Aggr~~~~ f··

. of Stamp 'Hors~power of Hea" •. " Steam. Engines. S~flam Engines.

---:-'------1-----,---

~-teaD). Engines". . ,17 13 I,' 413 , S.team ,and hor~e_power} ;, 32 '. . 38

P,uddling Machines " ," H()r~e, Wllirp~.,., ,( , .... ", i 10: I" , ,,26,r,. i I .. · Whips'... ' 11 26

.. hr. ) .. , ' .

2

, ' f '., ...

Total value of mining plant in the division,,£4.4,OQO. . - , ~Number ,0£ square miles of alluvial ground which '.is' being, or may have 'been, '~ctuaily worked

upon,' n''''' '. ' ' , ' .', " "Number of distinct quartz reefs which ,have been actually' proveq to 'be}~riferou's t9'the

p'resent time, 10 .... I, ' The .price of gold during ~he ,quarter in the division has been from £3 19s. t.o£3 19s:6d:·

per oz .

• The total area of Il.lliands occupied as claims now at work, or'temporarily'suspemled, comprise an .are~ of t'ol! squa.re miies:' ~owing each c!aim to be a mile in width. The width of workings, however, in such claims does not exceed four chams on an'average. "

27

THE FOLLOWING I~FOR:M:ATION HAS BEEN OBTAINED RELATIVE TO THE QUANTITY OF QUARTZ '

CRUSHED DURING THE QUARTE'R, AND THE GOLD OBTAINED THEREFROM.

Name of Company. Where Quartz was obtained.

, ,~, , ; A:verage Quartz crushed. I Yield of Gold

" per Ton.

~-"'-~-~-

{ Magenta Reef Magenta Company

Eureka Reef

ton owt. qI.

300 0,0

14 0 0

I oz. dwt. gr. ,oz. dwt. gr.

o 4 060 0 0

2 11 17 36 3 22

160 feet from surface

100 feet from surface

{ .~:~:::aB:::ef ::: 256 0 0 . 0 ; 4 19~ i 61 13 0 130 feet from surface

; Golden Bar Company 80 0 0 o 14 0 56 0 0 80 feet from surface

Barrambogie .. ..,' Brady's Reef ' ... ;. 1 10 0 3 12 0 580 ,

Total, Quartz ... 651 10 0 1 0 617! 219 4 22

Operations in quartz minin,g have ~ot been vrry actively prosecuted,during ~e quarter, the Magenta anti Golden Bar Compames maelimes not ~avmg worked mor~' than SIX weeks, III po~sequence of the insuiliciency of water. Several abandoned 'reefs have, however, been prospected, ahd a very promising reef has been discovered about three miles south-west from Chiltern; a trial erushing of 30 cwt. produced 5 OZS. and 8 dwts. , ' '

A eonsiderable amount of attention is now being directed to the quartz reefs in the division, in consequencetof the highly satisfactory returns from trial erushings from abandoned reefs. Fourteen tons from Eureka Reef yielded at the rate of 2 ozs. 11 dwts. 17 grs. to the tOll, and 80 tons from the Victoria gave 14 dwts. 'to the ton. There is ever:y reason to believe that most of the long neglected reefs in the division would give satisfactory returns If systematically worked with capital and machinery, the want of which has 'always been the great drawback to the devel~pment of this braneh of mining enterprise.

In alluvial mining there is nothing new to report. The dry lea~s are at a stand still for want of water. ,

The Union Company on the Chiltern Lead have worked out· their claim, and the plant and machinery are for sale. _. ;

The Sons of Freedom Company have extended their claim, and placed it under the Limited Liability Act, under the name of the Extended Sons of Freedom Mining Company. Their prospects are highly encouraging.' :

The Grand Junction Gold Mining Company (limited) have attained a depth of 220 feet with their engine shaft, which, from appearance, is supposed to be on the le~d. Ln,.. ,-The Township Mining Company, adjoining, have been running their main -drives through payable ground during the last month. '; ". - ;:, :$he\Victoria Compariy;'on the Victoria -Lead; have suspended operations, and the machinery and plant have been sold by auction.

, The Murray Valley Mining Company (limited) are prosecuting their works with great energy. I regret to state that the Independent Mining Company, on the All England Lead, have been

compelled ,to suspend operations. I This is to :be attributed to the machinery being insufficient to work the ground in the first instance; a second engine was procured, which was also insufficient.' Had proper machinery been"employed in the first instance, the company would in all probability have been successful. It is in contemplation to reconstruct the company under the :,Limited Liability Act ..

--~~- .. ,~----------

BUCKLAND DIVISION.

Mr. R. Holden Stone, Mining Surveyor an!'d Registrar.

THE'TOTAL N UMllER OF MINERS IS AS FOLLOWS:-

12 ~ .

I i

EuroPeallll. 'i Chinese. : Tota.lforth6

Rema.rkll. Division. I -, .. -~-:~ .. ,-~I ---.. ~~~-~~~---'--

I

I

I· 450. I 1,338 1,788 The return and distribution of

population has been made as 150 . ... 0 150 accurately as possible, from ob-1-' '-'~i-' ---' . servation and enquiry.

Totals : GOO I 1,838 I 1,938

Alluvial Miners

Quartz Miners

28

THE "TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS IS THUS DISTRIBUTED:-

Buckland RiverLower Flat Police Camp ... Camp to Junction East Branch West Branch

Morse's Creek ... Growler's CreekHarrietville

I Hit:or-Miss Reefs 300 East Branch, Ovens ...

8 W oolshed Flat, Ovens. . .. 80 Germantown .. .

200 Bright .. . 100 Ovens, Below Bright ... ' 450 Happy Valley

60 150 Total

TIIE MACHINERY IS AS FOLLOWS :~.

20 100 60

160 100 100 50

1,938

QUA.Rrz MINING.

DeaeriptiQll of J\1achin&.y.

At Work. Idle. Aggregat& Number i AggrCgat&

Horse-power of At Work. Idle. of Stamp Horse-power of Steam Engines. Head.. Steam Engines.

- --~-... --.... - ~--~--

Steam Engines, employed in pump: 4 2 •. 60 ... '" ... ... . ing. and winding Water Wheels, employed for drain- 75 20 ... ... . .. . .. . ..

ing wet claims Hydraulic Hoses ... ... 1 7 . .. . ,. .. . ... . .. Steam Engines, employed in

'" ... '" 3 5 81 120 crushing and pumping

W~ter Wheels, employed in crush- ... ... ... 2 ~ 92 . . .. mg

- !

Total value of mining plant in the division, £50,000. Number of square miles of auriferous ground which is being, or may have been, actually

.:worked upon, 62 • • rf;'. Number of distinct quartz reefs which have been actually proved to be auriferous to the present "ol.Ille, 86.

The price of gold during the quarter in the division has been from £3 17s. 3d. to £3 17s. 9d ~,per oz.

"'THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS BEEN OBTAINED RELATIVE TO THE QUANTITY OF QUARTZ

CRUSHED DURING THE QUARTER, AND THE GOLD OBTAINED THEREFROM.

N a.me of CO!llJl3I!Y. Whore r~ •• rtz was I iAVerage Yield I Ttl Y' ld f i Remarks relative to the

, ob~ed. Quartz crUl!hed.' of Gold 0 a Ie 0 Depth at which the

I~ _________ " __ ~_· __ i~pe_r_To_n_. _i _ .... ~_Ol_d._ _ Quartz was obtained.

ton em. qt. oz. <\wt. gl'. oz. dwt. gl'.

Wakley and Company Oriental Reef ... I 500 0 0 0 8 0 600 0 0 180 to 190 feet , A ustralasia Company ... Orieutal Reef ... 1,470 0 0 0 5 0 367 10 0 A verage of 250 feet Phillips and Company I1loming Star Reef 30 0 0 4 0 0 120 0 0 Surface to 50 feet Mackay and Company Reliance Reef ... 400 0 0 0 5 0, 100 0 0 Surfa.ce quartz J. A. Wallaee ... Pioneer Reef ... 2,200 0 0 0 7 01 770 0 0 Average of 100 feet

I Total, Quartz ... 5,600 0 0 0 6 23~ll,957 10 0

During the quarter the attention of the principal portion of the European mining population has 'been directed to the deep sinking on Morse's Creek and the Ovens River. At the same time, however, comparatively little progress has been made, owing t{) the difficulty of finding the course of the Premier Lead on Morse's Creek.

The following is the state of progress made by the several companies who are actively at work. 'fhe prospectors have now fairly opened their ground, and the yield continues highly satisfactory.

This company object to make publiethe actual yield. but I 'have every reason to believe that it is approximately 260 ozs. per week. . .

The two companies adjoining the south boundary of the prospectors have sunk several shafts, one in claim No.2 having struck payable gold, and No. () having bottomed on the deep ground, but not on the lead for which they are noW' driving. No other, claim sou th from No, 6 has yet succeeded in striking the deep ground. •

The Reform Company, next below the prospcetors, have nOw struck the lead with a.prospeet of 2t dms. to the bucket. 'J'his is a better average than that first obtained in the prospectors' claim, and there is therefore but little doubt that the lead will continue good.

The prospect obtamed by this company mentioned in the last quarter's report did not contmue; being only obtaiued on'the Bide of the reef and not in the real gutter. -

The wash obtained is of the same character as that described in the last report and 011 the same description of bed l'ock. . , The Garibaldi Company, next nortlf of the Reform, have not yet succeeded in striking the deepest

ground, the prospect obtained by them not holding out, and the bed rock still dippIDI.'( from their shaft 80 fast that they are now obliged to sink again. This new shaft will be commenced next week,

29

The Oliver Twist and District Miners Companies, nex.t north, have not yet succeeded in striking the lead; they are, however, continuing work, and erecting machinery.

The Morse's Creek Alluvial Mining Company, next north from the Dist:t:ict Miners, have to day complet.ed the el'ection of their stearn ma{)hinery for pumping and winding, and will probably bottom on the deep grouud in the course of the next fOl'tuight.

The Wallaee Deep Lead Company are sinking and erecting pumping and winding gear, to be worked by water· power from Mr. Wallace's powerful water-wheel at the Pioneer Quartz Mill.

The last named company's ground extends down to the township of Bright, in and below which no work is being done at present; but the Township Company, whose claim is situate immediately below the sold lands, are pl'eparing to erect machinery to test the ground for the continuance of the lead.

On t·he Ovens River, the Ovens River Deep J~ead Company and thc Zing!lI'i are erecting machinery. All the other claims registered being suspended until the proclamation of' a lead.

With regard to the surface alluvial workings in this division, there is nothing of interest to report; but where water has been abundant the Chinese ,Population have generally been working with average success, though there is a cOllsidemble diminution in the number employed dnring the past quarter in severalloealities, the principal exodus being from the Buckland River. .

There are but very few Europeans now employed in surface workings as compared with the Chinese, and there does not appear much disposition to try for any other class of workings than deep leads.

There was a considerably less number of Europeans employed in quartz mining during the quarter than formerly, and but few are now prospecting. There is no information of any interest to give respecting any of the reefs this quarter, with the exception of the discovery of a reef near the Police Camp, Buckland, from which however I have not yet been ablc to obtain any further information than that gold is abundantly visible in the quartz; the reef is about 18 inches in thickness, and appears likely to prove a good one. Four claims in addition to the prospectors have been taken up.

Owing to the bursting of the boiler at Mr. Gitchell's machine, no quartz has been crushed from the Golden Bar and Home Reefs. .

CROOKED RIVER SUBDIVISION.

Mr. WiUictm Wingate, 11Uning Surveyor and Registrar.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF .MINERS IS AS FOLLOWS:-

I Europeans. I I Total for the ChineBe.

I Subdivision.

------.-~-.-.---_.

Alluvial Miners ... _ .. 254 120 .374

Quartz Miners ... . .. 868 .., 868 ~--

, Totals ... 1,122 120 1,242

THE TOTAL NUlIIBER OF MINERS IS THUS DISTRIBUTED:-

Warrangarra River W onnangatta River Jungle Creek ... ~pring Hill ... Good Luck Creek Crooked River .. , Good Hope ... Upper Crooked River Bumble Creek Twelve-mile Creek

85 47

130 50

200 160 45 24 12 35

Wentworth River '''Iongungarra River Cobanna Creek ... Black Snake Creek Upper Dargo River Lower Dargo River MOliiit Pleasant Out prospecting

Tolal


Remarks.

6 49 8

30 25 16

240 80'

1242

ALLUVIAL MINING. QUARTZ lIIINING.

-~~-~-.-.--

A~work.1 Description of Machinery. Ag_t..Hol'l!e-

, Number IA_teHo--Idle. power of Steam At Work. e~~~. of Stamp power of Steam

Engines. Heads. Engines.

--- ~ .. -----.~------ I

. Stearn Engines ... ... .., ... ... 2 ;; 64 96 Water-power Crushing Mills ... ... . .. .. . £ ... ; 18 24

Total value of mining plant in the snbdivision, £22,000. Number of square miles of auriferous ground which is being, or may have been, actually worked

upon,20i· . Number of distinct quartz reefs which have been actually proved to be auriferous to the present

time, 203. The price of gold during the quarter in the subdivision has been from £3 19s. to £4.1s.

per oz.

30

T,H~' FOLLowINErlNFoRMATION'HAS'1!EEN OBTAINED RELATIVE TO THE QUANTITY OF QUARTZ CRUSHED

';' '" • ,DU~IN,G THE QUARTER, AND THE GOLD OBTAINED THEREFROM.

,.fame of Company, Where Quartz was obnained.

I

I Quartz crushed. Aver:.ge I T aJ Y' Id Remarks relative to the

Yield of Gold ot ,. Depth at which the per Ton. of Gold. Quartz was obtained,

------~:-__ l--,-,-,-, -,~---.--I~ _______ ~I _________ .~_~ ------_

Pioneer"Company ,'" ,:felf.· D,!Yis COl)1pany ... Moonlight Qompany .;. '1'eutonia Company.:. . , . ' ,

i

'

I Pioneer neef ... J elf. Davis neef

Ii ',Moonlight neef' .•.

Teutonia Reef •...

I Toti1i, Quartz ...

ton ewt, qr, oz. dwt. gr, oz. dwt. gr.

300 0 0 5 0 0 1,500 0 0 360 0 0 4 17 lSi 1,760' 0 0

2 0 0 3 10 0 7 0 0 48 0 0 I 4' 4 58 0 0

1,--- --- -----710, 0' 0 4 13 15t 3,325 ? 0

35 feet Various depths 40 feet Various depths

r:" I have the'honor to r(lport that during the quarter a great improvement. has manifested itself. in this subdivision. Prospecting operations have been calTied on to a considerable extent, the result of which has been the discovery of several new reefs, all of which present favorable indications. "':': '1'he Pioneer Compauy have been rather unfortunate since the commencement. Owing to the

brittle nature of the spur wheel, only four stamp heads have been working. ". The plants for the Britannia, Jolly Sailors, Good Hope, Globe, and Hartley's have arrived on the

ground, but the machines will not be ready to start crushing for three or four weeks from now • . ',., Three Irew reefs have been discovered at the Upper Dargo River, and the specimens are equal

in richness to anything yet produced in the district. II"~ , The principal want that is felt in this district is that of ~he assistance of capitalists, The

majority of miners in this subdivision are persons of limited means, and the want of capital prevents' the proper development of reefs already discovered, and a large number of suspensions have been granted owing to the want of funds.·

J MUESON SUBDIVISION.

(Part of Jordan North.)

Mr. Samuel K. ViCkery, .Mining Surveyor and Registrar.

THE TOTAL NU?tr.BER OF MINERS'IS AS FOLLOWS;-

Europeans. I Chinese. I ToW for the Subdivision. I

-~.-'---' --~ --

Alluvial Miners ... '--1--165 50 215

Quartz Miners ... ... 330 ... 330

--'--I-~~--Totals ... 495 50 545 ,

THE T9TAL NUMDER OF MINERS tS THUS DISTRIBUTED:-

Hell's Hole and Puzzle Range, Merton . ... ... . ... . Banks of River Goulburn, between Swampy Creek and Jamleson ...

Sailor Bill's Creek and Swampy Creek... . .. Mack's Creek Ranges .... ... .., ." ... Banks of River Goulburn, between Jamieson and Big River Junction Roaming population... '

Total ...

THE MACHINERY J8 AS FoLLOWS;-

" " . Ileooription of Mabhine'l'7. L

----_.- --------I---..:-I~~ -----~ ----

Steam:" Engines employed in crushing

2 '

Remarks.

85 50

190 150

35 35

545

I ~ ,

., . . ' .,'

Total value of mining plant in the subdivision, £9,000.·" Number of square miles of auriferous ground which is being, or may have been, actually worke,4

upon, about 13. " ' , . Number of distinct quartz reefs which have been actually proved to be auriferous to the present'

time 6. '" , " , The price of gold during the quarter in the subdivision has been from £3 13s. to £3 15s. per oz.

31

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION' HAS BEEN OBTAINED' RELATIVE TO THErQUANTITY OF QUARTZ

CRUSHED DURING THE QUARTER, AND THE GOLD OBTAINED, T~EREFROM.

'·f . ,

Where Quartz was i Yi~do~r!f.~ld i Total Yield of Remark. relative to the ~ame of Oompany. Quartz crushed. Depth lit which .the . obtained. , ' per ton. Gold! Quartz we. obtained.

tons ewt. qr. oz. dwt. gr. oz. dwt. gr. ' ,

.'

Luck's-all Gold Mining Luckla-all Prospect- 200 0 0 I 5 0 250 0' 0 From surface to 80 Company ing Claim, Mack's feet ill depth.

Creek

I have the honor to suhmit the following report with reference to the extent and character of mining operations in this subdivision, for the quarter.

The proceedings of the past thrce months have been characterised by the discovery of several auriferous quartz lodes, and the mining and general population of the' district' ha~ been considerably augmented.

Though no important discoveries have been made at Mack's Creek, yet, owing to the erection of 8teaIIl .... ma~hi~~\l. i.ll. con:r;t~xion with;.twO .. 9f:,!ge .. mo~~ fm~o~tant' claims, from ,which "large"yields are expected, a number of mlllers andothers.ha,v.e.b.een attracted· to that place. The almost unprecedented scarcity of water at Mack's Creek since the setting in of the winter season, has prevented the Star of the West Company from making use of their mMhine, and has seriously impeded operations generally, The Luck's All Company have, however, since the erection of their machine; succeeded in passing 200 tons of quartz through it, which have yielded two hundred and fifty (250) ounces of gold.

Between .Mack's and'Sailor Bill's Creeks a number of claims have been.registered for oecupation in three of which auriferous veins, appearing to form a continuation of the Southern Cross Reef, have been discovered. Two leases have also been app'lied for in this vicinity. ' ~ At the Sailol'·,Bill's .Creek ",orkings, work, is.,bcing . .proceeded.:with~v.igorously,and ,the reef becomes more fully developed. At the first junction of this c:re~jl: with a tJ;ibutary, about .one mile eastward of the older workings, 3 well defined auriferous reef has .been disco.vered.lll the Shenandoah Company's claim.· As this is only the second instance which· we ha"e, iIi. this part of the district, of the existence of 3 distinct reef, not appearing to form a continuation of those formerly opened up, its discovery must be 'considered as one of the mOilt important,which has, characterised ,the operations of the quarter. ','

The recenj;,djs~O'I;ery pf ,3 payable reef in the ground ,pelpnging to the Elizabeth Quar.tz Mining Company, has given 311 impetus to mining at the new workings at Swampy Creek. This reef, which is

i,~,t pres<!nt six feet jp. thic1\nessi with well.· defined walls,. 'pres!1nts a. most .promising appearance; and, judging from its position, its aip and strike,.and the character of the stone raised, it has every appearance of being a further continuation of the main reef on which the older workings are situate. At this 'place several new claims have been taken up, and two (2) leases applied for. The Mountain View

: QU!1-r~ Mining .. OomNlly:;-we,actiV;!lly. ellgaged in .opening, up ,the l'!lef.recently discovered in their gr.oUlid, and are preparing for the h!lm~diate erection of a quartz mill.'"'' ' .' . ..

During the quarter large areas of ground havCl been taken up, chiefly,in the neighborhood of Mack's Creek, under the 27th bye-law, as tunnelling claims. With few exceptions these claims are in the immediate vicinity; lind sometimes embrace within them ordinar:v claims.' 'II< ,., 'II< * •. • • • • • * 'IIi ,., 'II< ,., *

On the Puzzle Banges, near Merton, a new reef has been opened, from which good surface specimens have been obtained, but operations at that place have been commenced too recently to permit of a definite opinion being formed as to its character.

Alluvial mining comma.m:!s little attention in ,this subdivision, though some of the bank claiw which have been registered for suspension dm-ing the summer months are about being reworked.

Alluvial Miners ., I "'.".. U ,~

Quartz Miners

Totals

.<' I

BIG RIVER' SUBDIVISION.


Mr. Penrose Nevins, Mining ~urveyor. and Reg~tratr

, f

.. 1'n rr·~. . . ~.,

THE TOTAL NUMllER OF MINERS IS AS FOI,L~WS :-"'"

.. I

EuropeanS. i Chinese. Total for Subdivision. , ,

Remark •.

~::]I' -, --,,----~~ ... ..,-.... - ~.~ .. ---.-.. --~.---~

J. ~ ...

~~~.~~ -----... -~

,l, 322 .. ·, •• ; ...

194

128

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF

River Goulburn, near Darlingford ... On and near the Big River, between Darling.

ford and Enoch's.Point ... '" On the Big River, between Enoch's Point and

its source... ... ... . .. Enoch's Creek ... ... .. . Jem Thomas's Creek and reefs near Railwll:Y Creek and reefs Ten-mile Creek... ...

32

MINERS IS THUS DISTRIBUTED:-

10 Boyd's Creek ...

50

16 30 16 42

Caple's Creek .. . Dundas Reef .. . Frenchman's Creek Unknown Reef Star of Erin Reef True Blue Reef Staad's Reef __ . Out prospecting

12 4 6 7

27 4 4 4

30 Warner's Creek and reefs Wild Dog Creek

6 46

8 Total ... 322


ALLUVIAL Mnm!G. QUARTZ Mnm!G.

Description of Maohinery. !

I I Number of lAs-lITegate Hors At Work. Idle. Numberof Aggregate Horse-Stamp Head •. power of At Work. ,Idle. !Stamp Heads. power of

Steam Engines. ,; Steam EnglDes

e·

--- - ----- -----Water-wheel crushing mill ... .. , ... . .. , .. 1 4 16

Steam quartz «rushing mill , .. ... ... ... 1 . .. 12 16

Water-wheel crushing mill ... ... ... .. . Erecting. 8 18

Total value of mining plant in the subdivision, £6,100.

zt· Number of square miles of auriferous ground which is being, or may have been, worked upon,

-. Number of distinct quartz reefs which have been actually proved to be auriferous to the present tIme, 11.

The price of gold during the quarter in the subdivision has been £3 16s. per oz.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS BEEN OBTAINED RELATIVE TO THE QUANTITY OF QUARTZ CRUSHim DURING THE QUARTER.

Name of Company. Where Quartz, &c., were I' Quartz crushed. obtained. I

! Remarks relative to the Total Yield of Depth at which the

• Gold. Quartz was obtained.

Luck's All .....

Total

ten. cwt. qr.

835 0 0

835 0 0

oz. dwt. gr.

Surface, including everything to 25 feet deep.

• No cleaning up bas as :vet taken place since tWe machine commenced crushing, consequently the yield of gold has not yet been obtained. It is estimated at about 1 oz. per ton.

I have the honor to report that mining operations have been very dull in my subdivision during the quarter, which has arisen, not from any unfavorable returns from the mining operations that have been carried on, but principally from the great want of capitalists to assist the miners, who, in this subdivision, are totally unable, from the above cause, to develope the numerous rich reefs which are already discovered. .

The following claims are suspended for the present from work, principally from want of means to carry them on

Prospecting Claim No.4North ... Nos. 3, 4, and 5 South ... No.2 South and No.4 North

Seek and Find Reef. Ditto. Ditto.

Star of Erin. Staad's Reef, Prospecting Claim, and No.1

North Staad's Reef. The Garibaldi... Hailway Reef. The California... Ditto. No. 1 North .. . Ditto. Nos. 2 and 3 South Ditto.

• Early Bird Enoch's Creek. Nos. 3, 4, and 5 North... Dundas Reef. No.1 North, Fountain Head Frenehman's Creek.

During the last quarter one new reef has been discovered and called the Dundas, it is situated about two miles from the township of Enoch's Point. Nine claims, four south and five north of the prospecting claim, have been registered.

A quartz reef, two feet thick, is visible on the surface in all these claims. In Nos. 1, 2 and 3 North, and No.1 South, shafts averaging from 20 to 40 feet have been sunk. Very good prospects

88

have been obtained in these shafts, and this reef will, it is expected, prove a valuable one. Nos. 3, 4, and 6 North are about applying for a lease, and intend organizing a company to work the reef efficiently. .

The total number of new quartz claims registered in my subdivisiop. during the quarter IS

eleven (11). . . Frenchman's Creek.-The Break-of-Day Company are still driving for the .reef. No.1. south commenced work under a new organization about three weeks ago. Three companIes have apphed for leases on this reef.

The Fountain Head.-N othing of special importance has as yet been discovered in this locality. The Indication Reef, Oll the Mia.Mia, discovered by the Messrs. Thrupp, has been abandoned,

as also the Shamrock, but it is probable that this reef will be further tested by some other parties in a short time.'

Luck's All Reef prospecting claim, Warner's Creek.-During the quarter the Luck's All Company have completed the erection of their machinery, consisting of a steam engine of 16 horsepower, with battery of. 12 stamps; t~ey have also constructed a very sub~tantial tramway, 266lards m length, from the claIm to the machme, at an expense of about £400. It IS mucl1 to be regrctte that this machinery, which is of first-class quality and considered to be the best that has as yet reached tlIe Alpine gold fields, should have been so inefficiently erected as to render it neeessary for the company to suspend operations for a time.

I am informed by Mr. Beattie, the mining manager, tha~ it is the intention of the company immediately to take down the engine and re-erect it in a more efficient manner.

This company commenced crushing on the 8th of May, and up to the 30th of June crushed 835 tons, consisting of a conglomerate of granite, slate, and quartz, intermixed with muIlock aJ?-d sandstone, taken on a face, crushing everything from the surface to a depth of about 25 feet.

The mining manager informs me that the yield of the gold cannot be obtained for a few days, as the mill has not been cleaned out since they commenced crushing, and the fal~e bottoms are supposed to contain a considerable quantity of ~old. He anticipates that the yield at present will not exceed (1) one oz. per ton, but, from the facility With which the materials for crushing can be obtained and removed to the maehine, this return will prove amply remunerative. The amount of. material crushed :vould have been double what it has been but for the delay caused by the numerous stoppages of the machlllery, occasioned by the cause referred to previously. The tunnel is now driven to a distance of 180 feet, which it is intended to continue for 150 feet further, when it is expected a main reef will be struck.

'rhe mining malll.lger further informs me that he entertains the strong!.lst hopes of striking a rich reef in the tunnel, the formation of the hill being similar to that of the Morning Star Hill at Wood's Point.

The Ariel Company, north of this claim, have applied for a lease; they continue assiduously driving their tunnel, which is now in about 170 feet; they expect to have to drive 600 feet in all before striking the reef, at 'an estimated depth of 400 feet from the surface.

The Unknown Reef prospecting claim.~The machinery for crushing on this claim is now nearly completed; it is erected about a quarter of a mile from the claim on ~he ~ailway Cr~ek, and consists of a battery of 8 head of stamps, to be worked by a water.wheel 30 feet 1ll diameter, estImated at 18 horse· power. This machinery is estimated to cost £1500. A most substantial tramway from the claim to the machinery is nearly completed. Very rich stone has been struck during the company's operations recently. They anticipate being in a position to ccmmence crushing in two or three weeks from this date, when it is confidently anticipated by, them that the yield per ton will prove extraordinarily rich. '

The True Blue Reef.-This company have continued driving for the reef; their tunnel is now in about 200 feet; they expect to strike .the reef in about 50 feet further.

Seek and Find I~eef.-Mr. Peppin, the discoverer of this very promising reef, informs me tha~ he recently sent to be crushed some of the stone out of the prospecting claim for which he is nowapplymg for a lease. One ton 15 cwt. of the stone, taken out of the shaft at a depth of about 45 feet (the stOlle not being picked, but a fair average), was transported on packhorses to the Luck's All machine, a distance of nine or ten miles, and crushed there; the yield was 402:s. 12 dwts. 15 grs., qeing at the rate of 2 ozs. and nearly 13 dwts. to the ton."" He is, however, confident that this was not the totallield, but that, owing to the inaccuracies in the machinery already alluded to, a coqsiderable quantity 0 fine gold was lost. Various enquiries from other sources induce me to believe that this opinion is correct. It is much to be regretted tlIat so promising a reef as this is should be standing idle for want of machinery.

No.1, north of the above, are still driving a tuunel for the reef, and are now in through very solid hard rock about 110 feet.

Most if not all of the other claims on this line of reef are suspended. Star of Erin.-This company have sunk another shaft 50 feet deep, in which very good gold has

been found. They have also discovered a reef of quartz 4 feet thick on the surface, in which gold is visible in the stone. They anticipate that this new reef will yield 2t to 3 ozs. to the ton.

Rail way Line of Reef.-Most if not all of thc claims on this line of reef a1,'e now suspended. The Garibaldi being Nos. 2 and 3 north, have during the last quarter sunk a shaft between 50

and 60 feet through horizontal layers of quartz and granite. 'Good prospects have been obtained throughout the whole. of this sinking. About 50 feet westward they -have sunk another shaft 30 feet deep, through similar strata combined with slate, showing a better prospect than in the first shaft.

. Nos. 4 and 5 north, amalgamated under the name of the California Gold Mining Company, have ~rIve~ II tunnelll;bout 80 feet, and have struck several quartz leaders showing fine gold. It is their mtentlOll to contmue the tunnel; they expect to strike a main reef at about 40 feet further.

No.1 north have driven a tunnel about 30 feet, about 20 feet being through bluestone. Two leases have recently been applied for near this line of reef, under the name of the Tim Bobbin

Company, No.1 and 2, but nothing definite can at present be stated as to their prospects. : ,~ regards alluvial mining, the recent and protracted rains l;tave now filled the various creeks

runnlllg 1ll~0 th~ Big River, and a considerable number of miners are now engaged in reworking their beds, also III slUlcing on various spurs abutting on the Big River, From various enquiries I have made -alth?ugh it is impossible to ascertain with accuracy what these alluvial miners are earning-I am led to belIeve that, generally speaking; they are making very good wages, and in many instances much more than good wages.

No, 69, d. • Norn.-The mhling surveyor has omitted to insert this infol1Ilation in hill tahular statement.

34

, ,: 'Phis district would, I. am persuaded, if prQperly aided I:lYJ,th!ll;l~.sistatll,1!l,9.f capi~tH~!!ts,. ,pr:o,Y~J .ft Illghly remunerative gold-producing cOJlntry; but at present it isl!lboring ,¥.J?der ,sQ s,eriol1sr!t dis~dv,Jl!p.7 tage, from the absence of a good and available road, as to greatly militate against its advancep;t~:t;l,t';"i"

. ' There are abundance of reefs which woulr;l. pay well.if,lI\ag!1inerycf;;>r .crushing·could.be laid down at a lllode:ate cost, and I am satisfie? that at a c~mpa:ratively s~all ~uFay an ava~labl~ ~:ay tr,ack cQ~d bernade rlght up to the new. townshlp at E!loch.~ Pomt., UI!til thIs ~~. donp .. thls dlVl~lOn will always idaborlun,der sUch,a severe drawback .that: its, merits cannot ,be e~t):ler ~atisfllfltorily.ascertailled Jor.,qply

eve oped. .

GAFFNEY'S CREEK SUBDIVISION.


Mr.llughSt.,H. Blair, Mining Surveyor and;Registrar.

TRE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS IS 'AS FOLLOWS!-

Europeanl!. Chinese. 0 or Remarks. the Subdivision. T tal £

" " ~< \ •

Alluvial.:M:iners ... ... 70 150 22~

Quartz, Miners ... ... 365 ..~. -,' 365 , 0,

I . . ....

\ ').'otals ... 435 150 585

" ..

'THE TOTAL' NmlBER OF MINERS IS TRUB DISTRIBUTED:-

Goulburn River 160 .. Corn Hill Reefs ~ •••• 1 '. .14 Gaffney's Creek 80 . Ryan's Creek 10 Mooulight Creek 12 wre Bird Creek 8 Cannon's Creek 25 allaby Creek 30

.155 35 Raspberry Creek .:: : Pr08pe(lto~s ." Ditto, right. hand branch' ... 6 --Victoria Gully Total Bald Hills ...


Crilshjng Mills W ater Wheel~

,40 i., ••• ' 10.

"

TRE MACHINERY IS AS FOLLOWS:-

At 'York. I Aggregate

Idle. Horse.power of , . Stell.lll Engines.

A~Work.

;: J.

! Number

of Stamp Reads.

.. ~. 585

., Aggregate Horse-power of Steam Engines

-' _._' -' 1-'---'------1----1------, -. \ ... . .. ~. . , 8

8. 3 3 86

Total value of mining plant in the subdivision, £20,000 ... , . ' " . Number of square miles of a1J.riferous ground which is being, or may have. been, actually worked

upon, 2~. ., , " }'lumber of distinct quartz rE:efs which have been actually ,proved to be anriferous.to the.present

time, 1:3. . . " . " '. , , The price of gold during the quarter in the 8ubdivisign has been from £3 15s. to £3 18s. 6d. per oz.

THE FOLWWING INFOR~IATION HAS BEEN OIlTAINEJ) RELATIVE TO THE QUANTITY OF QUARTZ C~pSR~D ". ,... .: i iroihNG ,Ti;IE QUARTER, AND' TIlE' <fow OB'TAI~ED ~HEREFR?~i.' • .

." ' tl' \ _j'V I It . ' , . ;D "'1r~ r'" .'

, ." '" A ~;;a~~ '.! " " ' ... 1 ";.1'" 1'1

Where Quartz was Totel Yield Remarks relative to the 'Nam~ of Comp\>ny., Quartz crushed. Yield of Gold Depth: at which the ~ \. obtained. '. , I parTon. of Gold. Quartz was obtained. ,.

·t· -, -.. ~

,- ton em. qr. oz. dwt.!!". oz. dwt. gr.

Rose of Denmark ." EU,re!m Reef .,,: 400 Q 0 ,,0 4 0 80, 0 0 .. Surf~ce·to 1:\O;fee,t.:: Shakespeare .. " It·,

... HOIJ,ll'warq. B.o~nd, .. , 200 0 0 010',0 lOO( ,0 '0 Runt's ... .. , Ditto ... ". 250 0 0 I ,6 '17 333 '1'7 '0 Golden Belt ... ... Ditto ... ... 373 0 0 0' 7 4a .J i34 0 0 l)rysdale's ". ... 'Ditto ... ... 159 0 0 0 2 0 15 18 0 Ditto ... . .. Sandstone Reef ... 13 0 0 0 8 0 5 4 0 -Wallaby United WaUaby Reef : 18 0 0 1 1 25 19 0 0 . 5 to 10 feet '" ... Root Hog or Die '" CastleUeef ". 70 0 0 2 0 0 140 0 0 30 feet " A'I Company .. , Ditto ... ... 110 0 0 o 17 lOW 96 0 0 30 feet Welcome Company ... Wei come Reef ... 5 0 0, 5 19 0 2915 0 30 to 100 feet , ... Victoria Company ... Homeward Bound ... .100 0 ,0

" I 0 0 100 0 O· Surface to 30 feet, "

°1~9W -----

Totals, Quart? 1,698 0 1,053 14 0

."

35

, The small amount of quartz crushed is dLie to the want of water 'for of ApriL The information respectmg the Rose of'Denmark Company's 9.uest!onable, as the mauager had sent his returns,1;o Melbourne, and coUld tion from memory.

month of May and part of 400 tons is

,give ,me the informa-

I have the honor to report, that quartz,mining in my subdivision has been steadily improving. The Raspberry and Wellington United Oompany's machine, consisting of two ba,tteries of four revolving stamps each, was completed and opened on the 12th of June, and is now at work. Shakespeare's Company have added a new battery of four revolving stamps to their milL Hunt's have added a new battcry of five stamps, and the Castle Company a new battery of four stampSil Two new mills are also . in course of erection. . I

. Tw," ne.w lines of (th~ Grand 'Junction and the Baltimore)havelbeen taken up; they are sItuated on Raspberry and appear to be parallel to the Outward Bound reef. Several shafts have been sunk and very tair prospects obtained from leaders, but no well donned reef has yet been struck.

Alluvial mining is not so brisk, owing to the creeks being flooded frbm the late heavy falls of rain and snow.

Commencing at the south end of my subdivisioIi, the Castle line of Dividing Range betweelJ the heads of Raspberry Creek and the sources of Goulburn. . The Royal Escott prospecting claim, situated about a mile Castle Reefs, have sunk a shiUt on the granite, and,. at the depth of 40' gold. The ground to the north of this claim, as far as No. 4 south, Castle R

Castle Reifs .

I

has been traced to the hand branch of the f south·east of the

uck quartz containing , is taken up by leases.

. At the prospecting claim they are opening tJ1e, cut, and lPaking, prepal,;atioDs for raisilJg.quartz. No.2 south. The reef in this claim is exceedingly rich and, of a great width; ,they have now about 11:\0 tons of quartz in the course of crushing at the Castle Company's machine, and it is confidently expected that it will average as much as 12 ozs. to the ton. . _ _ ,

The A 1 Company, No.1 Bouth.-This claim is suspended for three months, as the shareholders are preparing to erect a steam crushing mill. They have at present about 200 tous of quartz ready for the mill. Their last crushing of 110 tons yielded 96 oZs. :

Root Hog or Die, No.4 Bouth.-Here they have got the reef with gold 'well diffused through the stone. Their last crushing qf 70 tons yielded 1400zs. The claims to the north on this line have not

• yet struck the reef. .

Welcome Reif. This reef lies about two-thirds of a mile to the east of the Castle Reefs. ,Gold was got here in

leaders on the surface. A shaft has been sunk 104 feet; at this depth the reef is nearly 4 feet in width, with nne gold well diffused through the stone. A tunnel, intended to cut below the present level, is now in ninety feet. A trial crushing from this claim averaged nearly 6 ozs. to the ton, \

Ou,t~va7·d Bound Reefs. In the prospecting claim work is suspended, pending the result of a law suit. ' No.2 North, known as the Raspbcrry Company, and No.3 North, as the Wellington Company.

These two companies have between them erected a mill of eight stamps, whicll commenced crushing in June, since then it has passed through stuff from the 'cHum of the Raspberry ,Company. A lot of 300 tons from the Wellington will now be crushed. The reef in both these cpmpanies is the same ill appearance; it is about 12 feet in width, and consists of a belt of rotten sandstone and mullock thiekly intersected with quartz veins. These claims are worked by tunnels, which fanOlV' the course of the reef, and drives are now going in to eut it at !l' lower level. '" ' i .

NOB. 4; and 5.-Both of these claims got the reef by smkmg, and are now at work tunnellmg. No. 6.-A tunnel is in 150 feet, at which distance the reef was struck and good prospects

obtained. j Nos, 7 and 8 (The Great Eastern Company).-This company have struck the reef in their tunnel,

and are now engaged erecting machinery, the woodwork of which is nearly COniplete. ' The claims to the south of the prospecting claim are all tunnelling for the reef.

Homeward Bound Reif. .

, Adjoining the Great Eastern Company's ground is the United Raspberry. This compa~ are also erecting ma ; thti machine-house is nearly complete, and they are anxiously waiting for the iron work, which left elbourne a nion/,h ago by the Yarra track. '

The Undoubted Company have struck some very good stone, and intend having a crushing at Drysdl!l'i's mill, from which good re~ults are anticipated. ,

The Gol~en Belt Company, situated on Raspberry Creek, i§) worked by a'tunhel driven from that side of the range; the tunnel is 330 feet in length, and 'connected with the surface by a shaft of nearly

_ 200 feet, which has been sunk along the dip of the reef, from this shaft variouS crosscuts and levels are about to be opened. The reef is from eight to ten' feet in width, and yields! as yet have been highly satisfactory. A double. line of tramway, worked with wire rope, connects the mine with the machine, whjch latter is a mill of eight stamps. '

The Victori~ (;)?ml?any have a mill of eig~t square .stamps, but which is 'lit present idle for repairs. The reef here, which IS sItuated on the Gaffney s Creek SIde of the rll;nge, averages from 15 feet to 55 feet in width. The first workings consisted of an open eut or quarry.' Iiatelya shaft has'Deen used to wOl'k the lower ground; but a tunnel is no,v being driven, by means I ofwhicli the lower levels can be taken out to much greater advantage and at less expense. : ., " ,

Hunt's Company have lately increased their crushing power from five to ten stamps:' The first washing up since work was resumed has just taken place, the yield wa~ 333 ozs.) 17 dwts. from 250 tons. The reef here averages in width that in the Victoria.. The mine is worked by an open cutting and a tunnel; the communication with the mill is by means of a shoot and tbmway. (

Shakespeare Campa he mine has hitherto been worked;by a mil}! with a small battery of four square stamps; a new attery of fbur revolving stamps has now beenadded, which will more than

36

double the produce of gold. The reef is here from 10 to 14 feet in width, and i; worked by tunnels at various levels. The quartz is c.onveyed to the mill by tramways and a shoot.

Dempsey's Reef. The ~laims on this line of reef being chiefly situated in the bed of the creek, are at present

flooded.. I believe these claims are negotiating for the erection of steam maohinery and more powerful pnmping gear. .

Eut'eka Reef. Nothing of importance has been done On this line for the qilarter.

Wallah,!! Reef. This reef is situated at the head of Wallaby Creek (a tributary of Gaffney's). In. the prospecting

olaim they have got the reef on the surfaoe from 3 to six feet in width, and of a very payable nature. This oompany have a very primitive mill of four square stam~s worked by a water wheel, but it is their intention to ereot steam maohinery shortly. Th(Olir last crushmg of 18 tons yielded 1 oz. l~ dwt. to the ton. The claims north and south are tunnelling for the reef. '

Eldorado Company.-This company occupies a lease upon the granite belt known as the Wallaby a;nd JJyre Bird lines of reef. This belt cuts the divide between the Upper Goulburn ~nd the head of Raspberry, a little below the Bald Hills: Northward from that, it crosses the various heads of Gaffney'S Creek, as far as Ryan's Creek, further than which it has not yet been followed. The Eldora~o Company are now working an east and west vein of quartz which crosses the granite belt. This vem was found at.a depth of forty feet. The quartz is hard and solid, with a width of about ten inches, whioh is gradually increasing, and is exceedingly rieh. As yet the company have had no crushing, but are now raising stone for that pUflwse. .

C01'n, H~ll Reefs. > ~hese claims having struck a payable reef in their shaft some eight months ago, are now busy

tunnellIng to catch the reef at a lower level.

WOOD'S POINT SUBDIVISION.


Mr. A. B. AiIru3worth, Mining Surveyor and Registrar.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERIl IS AS FOLLOWS:-

I 1-.. Tot",] for I I Europoo;ns. I Ohmes"_ Remarks. I the Subdivision_ :

~---... ---"~~-- .. --~--. t- ----i~-- --~- -I - ....... ~ •........ ~~ """"""-_.-.. -

Alluvial Miners I 220 I lO 230 I I The influx has been chiefly from

Quartz Miners I 1,608 I

1,608 I the western gold-fields, the efflux I

I

has been towards the Big River, the Crooked, and Gipps Land.

I ----~-- -~-- --~~

Totals 1,828 I

10 1,838 !

THE TOTAL NUMJlER OF MINERS IS THUS DISTRIBUTED:-

Wood's Point and Morning Star 550 Maori Creek Lower Goulburn 400 Edward's Reef .. -Right Branch .... 50 Bald Hills to Matlock Gooley's Creek and Bald HIlls 120 Toorak to Columbia Harper's Creek ...... 30 Royal Standard ... Killar's and Pheasant Creek 60 Champion and Iudependent Perkin's Creek and Waverley 50 Prospeotors and moving population Emerald Hill claims 90 Total All Nations claims 120


ALLUVUL MINING. QUARTZ MINING. -

6 20' 42 40 60 50

150

1,838

, ...... - . ... ~---

Description· of Machinery. AggregateHorse-

At Work. \ l· Nwnber IAggregateHorse

At Work. Idle. power of Steam Idle. of Stamp 1 power of Steam Engines. Heads. I Engines. I--I--r --_ ....

CRUSHING MILLS. Water Wheels <l.l

I 15

I 20 ~ .Age of Progress Company ... '" ... ... ..... 12 ; I '" 8 McDougal's (No.1) ... ... ! ... ...

12 McDougal's (No.2) .. - H • I ... 16 .s ... ... 1 4, 6 ,::: McDougal's (No.3) ... ... ... ...

1 16

I 20 i McDougal's (NO.4) Scott and ... ... ... ...

Cherry's Steam Engines :-

1 '" 20 24 Drysdale and Company '" ... ...

I ...

1 16 20 '" .All Nations Company ." ... ... ... 20 25 J '"

I

The .A.lpine Company ... ... ... ... I I ... '" ... ... Puddlin Ma(!hine ... ... ... ... g

-

37

Totalvalue of mining plant in the subdivision, £32,000. . Number of square miles of auriferous ground which is being, or may hare been, actually worked

upon, In. : Number of distinct quartz reefs which have been actually proved to be ~uriferous to the present

time, about 80. ; The price of gold during the quarter in the subdivision has been from £3 58. to £3 198. per oz.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS BEEN OBTAINED RELATIVE TO THE QUANTITY OF QUARTZ CRUSHED

DURING THE QUARTER, AND THE GOLD OBTAINED THEREFROM.

Name of Oompany. Where Quartz was obtained. Quartz crushed.

ton cwt. qr. Various Companies ... Wood's Point He.efs" 5,645 0 0

-'---'-'

Total, Quartz 5,645 0 0 i

Average Yield of Gold

per Toll.

oz. dwi. gr. 2 8 21!

. . ..;.. 2 8 21~

Total Yield of Gold.'

_._.,

oz. dwt.gr. 13,i99 0 12 : ---·--i 13,799 0 12.1

Relllll,rka relative to th e & Depth at wbich th

Quartz was obtained.

• Full particulars of these "Crushing." have been lodged in the offioe oj' the :!Illuing Department, but at the request of the cmim· holders they have not been P,ttblisheil. .

I have the honor to report on the present stat.e and prospeets of my subdivision 8S follows. The popnlation is centering itself more and more throughout the district, chiefly along the

Goulburn at the junction of its tributaries. There is ample employment for miners, both un contract and on wages, though money is scarce and all markets very dull.

The district has aC9-uired during the quarter additional crushing power, amounting to 4. stampheads, namely, two additIOnal batteries worked by a waterwheel attached to. the Great Central .Alps stearn crushing mill, which were started on the 26th of June, und fom batteries worked by a waterwheel erected by Scott, Cherry and Company, for the ptlrpose of crushing tlieir own and the Hope Company's quartz. This latter erection forl7ls a complete, compact, and vcry efficient plant, the crush-

from which will tend, materially to raise;1the average yield of quartz in this!district. The machinery now in course of transit or erection consists of five crushing mills, for the Champion claims, the Royal Standard prospectors, the Fermoy Extended Company, the N ever·Mind Reef. and the No.1 south Morning Star. With the addition of these five machines to its crushing power the mining community in this subdivision will have made a very strop.g step towards self-support, arid speeulation will, it is hoped, build less on the bright feverish anticipations of times of exeitement than on the stern healthy realities of steady dividends. !

The Black River DistriCt is still highly enyouraging to prospectors. The Champion Company have found their reef improve vcry materially since it was first taken up, and :have now a fine reef of very promising stone, eqUal probably to several ounces to the ton.

The Royal Standard retains to all appearance its position as by far the richest vertical reef found in the Wood's Point district, but It has not as yet been struck in.any but the pi:oepecting claim.

No new trial crnshings have taken place, either at the Black River or 1Il other parts of the subdivision, during the quarter. It is not possible, therefore, to estimate with any degree of certainty the additional value to the wealth of the district afforded by the late discoveries.

TIle Jjforning Star.

The Age of Progress Company have only had three crushings, owing to scareity of water, and the necessity of making further repairs. The prospects of this company continue very healthy, and good dividends may be expected. A new retort house has been el'ected and a furnace built; the company will therefore be able to retort their silver on the works. The reefs,: as exposed now in the company's works, show a twelve month's work without the necessity of openipg new ground. * * * * * '-I< * '* ;;. * '*' * '*'

The Hope Company have been crushing mullock only; they are, however, sending down stone now, when better averages may be looked for. The Wood's Point Quartz Mining Company has been at a standstill.

The Prince of Wales and All Nations.

The All N atipns are paying, notwithstanding the pr,"sent minimum yield of their stone, good interest"on the capital iuvested, with a prospect of occasional high dividends from rich patcllCs of stone. The Prince of Wales cll!-ims are improving daily; there is a good ShOlY of gola in their stone now.

The Bald Hills Oompany.

Messrs. Drysdale and Co. have struck the ret)f, from 2 to 3 feet thick, in prospect tunnelling claim. The stone is promising. In Scott and Edward's lease, adjoining, leaders have been cut in the tunnel, but the leaseholders do not expect to reach the reef for some distance

Lower Goulburn.

Purcell and Power have got a good mullock reef, 4 to 5 feet thick. Good prospects can he washed from this reef, which promises well for its owners. '

ALLUVIAL MINING.

A few claimholde~s down the Goulburn obtain ~ccasionally good returns, though the workings are confined chiefly to old ground. The ~ompanies which were s~artcd a short time ago for working abandoned ground on the Goulburn, obtamed not very encouragmg prospects,;and appear to have died out. Thc unusual amount of frost and snow have, in a great measure, interfered with sluicinO' at the heads of the waterfiows of the Goulbnrn River. i"

"

38

t •• ,,1 'P A'R:r: OF· JORDAN SOUTH SUBDIVISION.

'jj:[r. OliarlesJ."'w. Russell, Minin[1 Surv&ljor a~d Registrar.

THE TOTAL N UMBl,R OF MINER~ IS AS FOLLOWS:-

Remarks. I ~uropean,' i ~es;.' Ii' ~~~~i~~~ i

~;~Cl1':',I,,,ic~,u~~~1,-,,';:~~~:',~np .. ·r···.··,c:( •• ,~",,~.~i~-~.~, .. ~ .•..•..... ,-, ------,1-'~1-8'0---,--1,--~5'4-6--~ ---------~--~~--------~.u"'m"m .. :_._ '" ••• ,366 The·foregoing numbers are exclu-

Quartz 1\'Iiners I sive of about forty men engaged .... i 643 {; . 649 only in prospecting. .

Totals / ... 1,009 .... 186 ,- 1'195-,--1

'" " " THE ,TOTAL NUMBER OF MI.!)l'ERS IS THUS DISTRIBUTED:-

Matlock and vicinity ...' ... 140 Blue Jacket, Red Jacket, l\foonlight; Home-Loch Fyne and vicinity 125 ward Eound, New Chum, and Violet Town E. E. Reefs and Creek 70 Aberfeldy Garibaldi, Noble, and Mountaineer ..• 56 'l'hompson River

280 60 4

Jericho, with Upper and Lower Jordan 460 ' Total 1,195

THE lfACHINERY IS AS FOLLOWS:-

ALLUVIAL MINING QUAltTZ MINING.

\. Description of Machinery.

Crushing Machine water-power, Scott's, Dry Creek

Crllshing Machine, steam-power, 'Loch Fyne

Crushing Machine, steam-power, Alabama

Water Wheels on alluvial claims Sluice Boxes ••. ... . ••

At Work. I'

16 38

Idle.

12 162

Aggregate Hor.e-l!9wer of At Work. Steam Engines.

1

• "'--~'--I --.-.

Idle.

i ,. I '.

:Number: Aggregate of Stamp iHorse.power of

Heads.. :Steam Engines.

1.'10

12 12

',12 18

Total value of mining plant in the subdivision, £10,800 ' Number of square miles of auriferous ground >yhich is being, or may have been, actually worked

upon, 4~, , Number of distinct quartz reefs which have been actually proved'to be auriferous to the present

, tiine, 21. - , The price of gold during the quarter, in the subdivision, has been from £3 ISs. to,£3 15s. (ld.,per oz.

TIlE FOLLOWING INFORMATION' HAS BEEN OBTAINED RELATIVE TO THE Qu'ANTITY 'OF QUARTZ ORUSHED 'DURING THE QUARTER, AND THE GOLD OBTAINED THEREFROM.

Name of (JompMlY. Where Quartz was obtained, per ton.: Gold. Quartz w~s obtained.

: Average 'T I Y' Id f' i':ttema>:ks relative to the Quartz crushed'I'Yield of Gcld ,ota lC 0 : depth at which the

----------1-------------- ------'- .... _-

Loch Fyne Prosllecting Loch Pync Roof Company

No. 1 South Loch Fyne Loch Fyne Reef Company

No. 1 S, E. I..och Fyne Loch Fyne Reef Comllany

Loch Fyne and Fern- I,och Fylle Reef tree

No, 1 Loch l!'yne Loch Fyne Reef

Calladi~ Company ... I Canaoian Reef Ahibama Company .•. , Alabama Reef No.4 Garibaldi . Garibaldi Reef

Blue Jacket ... Blue Jacket

Totals

tons ewt. qT.: Oz, dwt, gr. oz, dwt. gr.

623 to 0

166 0 0

56 0 0

3,16 0 a.

309 0 0

3 O. 0 4 0 O. 2 10 0

2 14 H! 1,;01 19 0 TUI'niel, depths unknown.

3 10 0 581 0 0 Tunnel, depths unknown.

2 2 6r

l

1l8 6· 6 ,Shaft, surfac:e to 50 feet. .

6 11 16 2,344 0 0' I ,Tunnel; depth not : ' 'recorded. '

2 18 44: 899 7 0 Shaft, surface to 100

I feet.

3' 4 Do! 9 12 I About 80 feet. I) 5 21 0 0 . About 60'feet.

,8 19 14* 22 9 '0 Shaft, surface to 70 feet. '

2 0 0 13 17 12 27 15 0 Shaft, surface to 75 , feet.

1-1","5-2'2--0--0-

1--3-'-1-5-16- ~;25 ~-~l'

;,1- The 'above quantities of stone, and the gold obtained therefrom, have been taken from the companies' books, and are thoroughly reliable.

--

..

39

I have the honor.to·forwariHhe following report: n : '''. "I'

A great falling off in the yield of gold has taken place which is to be, attributed .principally to the general exhaustion of the gold in the alluvial creek claims, whilst an i~su:flic,i.ent supply of water has altegether prevented, or greatly retarded, the working of the pO,?reJ;:. portions that remain. A great number of the former alluvial miners have either left th~ district Qr j;8d their. attention and labor to the development of the quartz reefs, ~d.although ph? lab9!" g. is .. great and the payment protracted, yet the results have generally been so very encouraging, that if the present numbers can hold out not many months will elapse ere a greatly increased supply of gold will reward their labors.

Other circumstances havc operated to check the supply of gold for sal~, namely, the very insufficient crushing power, the heavy charge for crushing, but especially the great expense of conveying stonl) from the reefs to the mills on pack horses, over almost impassable and alivays dangerous mountain traeks. As an instance, a few weeks ago two tons of stone were earried froni a reef on the Blue Jacket to the Loch Fyne Mill, a distance of about 14 miles, at the rate of £16 per ton for paeking and other expenses, making the total cost nearly £20 per ton for the conveyance; £1 108. per ton, which is 5 or 6 shillings under the ordinary charge, was the cost of crushing. The yield, in this case, at the rate of 14 ozs. per ton, notwithstanding the heavy cost of carriage and orushing, gave a considerable balance as ~rofi~ to the claim owners. These fac~s are inte~~ed to show that un'de,r present circumstances ordinarily good stone cannot be crushed WIthout entaIlmg' heavy loss on themmers.

E~en this high charge for king is indifferen mUnerative, as incqn~(l9.~el!ce_9f, th.!l.fatigue experienced by th!! hors,es, six; e eight horses emp ed were, for some time, rendered unfit for work,'.a;nd pne.that fell' with itS'load ~pwn a pre~ipitous SIdeling was ruined if not killed •

. Also, the high··price for crushing cannot ,be importantly reduced. until better roads are provided between this gold field and the metropolis. At present all macliinery is brought here on pack horses, a practice necessarily limiting to the smallest amount the w;eight of the pieces; 'consequently ~any of the work~ng parts:, such as the stampe!s; the .. stampe:- beds, and the heav~er P'9r:ti?~s. of the engmes are made so lIght as greatly to reduce thelreflimency and en9.urance, at the same tIme to enormously enhance, not only the first cost, but the working expenses. I

It is to be feared that the· reefers, without 9apital, will be obliged to s.uspend . their operations, and t~~t the more. 'Yeal~~y witl, Pl.<?k. 01.J-~. only tl;te bes,~, 9f ,t;lJpir < ~.~9p.e . for\_ 9J.'is4~ng, le~v:i~g_ i!ll~ense quantItIes of stone, of a poorer qualIty, to accumulate on tlie claims, unhl~, greater facilities eXIst for crushing. '" ".._. .

I have obtained from the banks returns, showing the amount of gold:purchased by them during the quarter, as follows;-. " ,'. .'..'.. i .' '.

~ q~ " • ·oz. I dwt. gr. Alluvial gold 1,893 i 17 13 Reef gold ...... 5,163 13 0

. This quantity does not include all the gold produced in this division, ~s many parcels have been~~en by privateperso:ti~.to Melbourne, much ~.as .gone. frorriher~ to W . ?oint, pt.h.er quan.tJtl,fi)s have beell- :take~ by'.p~~kers to Sale, a:nd· I am mformed that still greater quantItws of·alluVIaP gold ~ave . been', ~<?:+ght up in. the neighbourh,?od of .J ericho and. c,onveyed to Donnelly'S, in the Wood s Pomt DIVISIon, to swell the returns of that place,- . . ,

,,,,,A great ~1:!ml]~r of ,the re_~J.ing .claims in th~s 4j~~ricF.,~~t):et~her., prQvjp.edrvith. tunn,e~s or are ha~teI;lil}g to complet\l. them, as.,IiI;pe.rmanen.t,oog'Jecqj1olflic"al IJ1oqe, of ,working in f';ltu,re. Thi~ district is, from the e.xcessive steepl).ess, of thoh~U sides, parti()~lll:rly fa,v;oJ;ll:pl.e: to: t.he practice of tuunelling, an~ the economy?f th~practi~~jn·)9Qmp~rison.~ith.J!.V,ltRf.work.ing,by:,s~~fts )8. c?n~ideraple" as the great cost of haulIng up the stone· and mUllock IS exchanged for the truckj and tramway, whIlst the q\lestion in otherdi~tr~!ltB, ~p'e gJ;aiJ1age of lIline~,. )Vil~ h,9re )~Q. nJ1kno'X}!, :as!\ erery ~unnel will provide a perm~nent eel .actmg dram. "'.' ,.; ',,: .

",,", • >

Alluvial Miners,

Quartz Miners

I, '.11.

Totals

. l .! I'

OM;tt:P.,;JJ ~N:J;:,RAJ:;'H.S:rr;B:P.~ Y;J: 8I 0 N •

:,\,~~,.}[ fMp.p.!,:, JJ{{"ftn:9c R,~g.~8trar. I

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS IS AS FOLLOWS:~

: EurojJ<llms. '::: . .-

- 140

20

Ohlnese.

250

Total for tho Subdivision.

390

20

l-r--}-S-0-1-1-25

-0-- ---4-10---1

Remark.,

·8andy'~ Creek and Merrijig-diggings : have;been separated from my sub

division since my last report, and : added to Mr. Wingate's ".

·,,··NOTE.-The number of·miners retttl'Iled for these diggings for·.the previous qua.iter wll.S.l30. 1

40

TIlE TOTAL NUMB~R OF MINERS IS THUS DISTRIBUTED:

Upper Livingstone ", Middle Livingstone ... , • Lower Livingstone .. ' .. ' ... . .. Cobungara and Upper Mitta-mitta River ... Mitta-mitta River, below Cobungara to Wombat Creek Wombat Creek' ' ... River Tambo Swift's Creek ... Store Creek, River Nicholson Gibbo Creek ... ... Cudgewong Creek, Upper .l\-Iurray

Total


6 150

4 5

130 20 10 30 30

5 20

4IO

I

ALLUYllL Ml:NING. QUA.RTZ MINING.

Description of Machinery. '

Californian Pumps and Wheels .••

Sluice Boxes ... I i

At Work.

18

200

Idle. Aggrega.te

Horse-power of Steam Engines.

, 6 ...

50 ...

Total value of mining plant in the subdivision, £750.

\ iNumber I· Aggregate At Work. Idle. of Stamp Horse-power of _~ ____ I Hea<ls. Steam EDgines.

::: I ::: I ::

Number of square miles of auriferous ground which is being, or may have been, actually worked upon, 5.

Number of distinct quartz reefs which have been actually proved to be auriferous to the present time,6. -

The price of gold during the quarter in the subdivision has been from £3 88. to £3 '178. 6d. per oz.

. , The quartz reefs at Swift's Creek continue to look well, but the prospectors are doing Just sufficient work to hold their claims till the leases that have been applied for are granted, when a competent number of men will be put on and machinery erected. The prospectors for a deep lead under Mount Livin$'stone are down 290 feet, and have struck water., They are completing the timbering of the shaft, ana. expect to bottom very shortly.

A new gold field has been opened on Cudgewong Creek, on the Upper Murray, near the Pine> Mounta,in; but from its remote situation, arid the difficulty of obtaining stores, particularly in the wiilter, it is not likely that many miners will visit it till the spring, though it is well reported of.

A party of prospeetors, sent from Melbourne, have also found coarse gold in Buembah Flat, at the head of the River Gibbo. .

The severe winter and the high price of stores (consequent' on the temporary' dosing of the Gipps ~and. lakes Davig~tion from seaward) haye driv~naw~y ~any .of t~le Chinese. The lP1!-ropean

ulahon IS more statIonary, and many "partles~ h~ylllg laId III theIr wmter s~ock of ,ProVlslOns, or . small allotments of freehold land, are not nkely to remove; but notwlthstandmO' the many

new dIscoveries, fresh comers seldom stay, as there is no call for wages men,' nor is there~ikely to be till the reefs are fully at work.

SNOWY CREEK SUBDIVISION.

Mr. :Andrew Trench, MvnVng Registrar.

TIlE TOTAL NUMBER OF .MINERS IS AS FOLLOWS;-

I Enropeans.

,

Chlnese. Total for the Itemarks. Subdivision.

Alluvial Miners ... .. , 231 60 291

Quartz Miners ... ... , .. . ... ...

Totals .. ·1 231 60 I

291

41

THE TOTAL NUMBER OJ!' MINERS IS THUS DISTRIBUT~D:

Junction of Snowy Creek and Mitta.nritta to Sandy Creek Granite Flat ... ... . ... .. . . . . . .. Right.hand branch of Snowy Creek ... ' ... Mitta.mitta River from Snowy Creek to W o~bat Creek

Total

THB' MACHINERY IS AS FOLLOWS:-

20 90,

156 25

... 291

I QUAlITZ M:tNING. ALI. UVIAL limING.

Description of Maohlnery. I Aggregate AtWork.j

,I Number I Aggregate At Work. Idle. Horse-power of Idle. of Stamp : Horse-power of

Steam Engines. i Hew. Steam Engines.

---Californian Pumps and Wheels ... 4 1 ... ... 1.0'· ... ... Californian Hand Pumps ... 2 ... ... ... . .. ... ... Sluice Boxes ... ... . .. 450 50 .. . ... ... ... ... Whims ... ... '" 2 . .. ... ... ... ... ...

Total value of mining plant in the subdivision, £600. N umber of square miles of auriferous ground which is being, or may have been, actually worked

upon,2l. 1 •

. Number of distinct quartz reefs which have been actually proved to b\J auriferous to the present time, 2.

The price of gold dUring the quarter in the subdivision has been from £3 513. to ~3 12s. per oz.

I have the honor to submit the following report, with reference to the extent and character of mining operations in this subdivision for the quarter. '

For a considerable distance from Granite Flat, the ground on either side of Snowy Creek has been worked out, but there still exists in the adjacent gullies a considerable: extent of unworked and

, partia.lly-tried ground, which I am sure would give employment, and probably prove amply remune· rative, to a large number of miners.

On the Mitta-m:itta River a few parti;s have commenced sluicing for the winter, and they expect to get good wages., \ •

. On the Right-hand Branch there is a great improvement in ~lluvial mining. . ~he population has increased during the quarter by about two-thirds, and all parties are now busily engaged working both the banks and bed of the creek, and as far as the external indications and the similarity existing between this and other parts of the conntry known to be auriferous will permit an opinion, it appears that the development of the mineral resources of this part of the district depends simply on a q1,lest~on of time, owing to the peculiarity of its physical features "and the resulting want of good commnnICatIon.

-~-~~~.

Alluvial Miners Quartz Miners ...

No. 69, e.

SANDHURST MINING DIRTRICTo

KANGAROO FLAT SUBDIVISION.

Mr. H. C. Campbell, Mining Surveyor and Regi.st,rar.

...

... Totals

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS IS AS FOLLOWS:i

I

Europeans. Chinese. Tota.l for the Subdlvision.

----_. --~-~---~

.., 900 790 1,600

. .. 1,200 ... 1,200

-... 2,100 I 700 2,800

:Remarks.

i I

,. ·THl!;,,!,OT}.r.f.:·:NVMJI~Jh 0li" ]I.f~~E~S· IS ,Tf!:lJ.S·.DIS~RlnUTED:--=-,';.;', Bendigo Flat and S~1!.~h\1Est~ .. ::~.u{~ .,: ... :~, .-"rf'." t (' .',

l' Ironbark and Long Gully ' ... , .. ~

'950. ,., MO .Ii 506 :, f-+"~ ': X;~ngaroo ,?flat and' <<;rusoe ~nUy : '~ ..

"; Golden GUlly and Kanga.roo,Gully '~'" ~._Back Creek and Spring Gully'~"'" ... .. ~ ... : :. .350':'

''''220'' . Milkmaid's Flat and Axe Creek

__ '_Cilliban .... -220 20

, ,-! . .;;~~"~"~ ~,~'",

,Description of Macbinery.

, I

THE'MAOHINERY, IS AS FOLLOWS:at ',~~- ;: !

2800 • 'f'" ''''~-,,' - -. L_- _""..o" '..l,.'

.J ~ .. ~'~ ; .d~~;;!.:~~:;r d .~ ~ IT"·.· __ .. _!_,,~m:~ ~I'ji' A:~gate ' I, ___ .. ·_:--__ Q_U_AR-,-T_Z_M_ININ._--'.G:,' .-.. --.-.-

"""'~." Numbe? I~~:i~;. AJ Work. . Idle, !Horse·pow"!' oLI At Work. Idle. of Stamp" i Horse·power.of

, ,Steal'l: Engines.. Heads. 1 Ste;un Engines.

C-'-h-·--"Ii--~"--''''''-.-''-~: .... I~-j--;-'I--- !+-i -,.-----"1---

8

.- ~1-1 ... --- --' - ... -"!-'!-'-'-'--

. rus mg .... ,.... . ... " .. P '. ...... 305 318 .. Pumping and Crushing .~.' ;/;",','.", ' 6" I 1 114 .. , 172 ~u~pipg a9-9. Winding I : J:'U~', .-' . - 3 1 r hl.l., ',;.. 82 Winding and Crushing' '.;;:;~(:". _:YL, .. ,;l':." ::... "3" I "i2 ;.,"1;,. 10

~rl;tn'~g~ing. ~ind~Dg, and Pump-. 3 ',I. 2 82\':145';':

HPuomrsPei~pguddlin"g" . .,.;" , I';'" I ." " '::1 ., I... ••• \".'" : 118 i; . ..;.' 1;;O·j;, 360'':'' :'.' """; . .

(. '" Total ~alue' b{m:ining piant'in'the s'ubdi-Jision £85 OOO~: '. ~,; 'f .. ,·" .. ; , ' , ' .

_ Number of square miles of auriferous gl'oUlid ~yJiich is being, of may havehcen, actUally workii(l upon, 6;1. .. r , '. , .' .'. ;, ' l',

,iif, . Number·of-·dist.inct. quartz. reefs,.which have.ibeen actually proved to be auriferous', to, the ,ptesent timei.59.·, f·'.. '''L "1:.;;.' ... ·;1;14", ',' :, • ..; .' I

, The price of gold during the quarter in the subdivision has been £3 18s. (ld. ,per 9z . • 'c.,++;, ·~··'r·- "'-'~')~,{ ;.! ~h>-;~·;\.'lt ;~, -,'1,:." ~:'!'d ;\, -, ':',

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS BEEN OBTA.INED RELATIVE TO' THE QUANTITY OF . QUARTZ

CRUSHED ,DURING ,THE QUARTER"AND THE GOLD. OBTAINED THEREFROM.

•• 1 ,;..

:1(: _~~e.of,Qomp&ny.

Rae and Company .. . Wills and Company, .. . Drepler's Comet Company ... , Glasgow Company Hercules Company 'Koch and Company Advance Company Prince Alfred ... Sterry and Company .. . Endeavour Company .. . Bird'e Reef ... .. .

c,vt. qr.

Av~mge Yield of G<>ld , perTon.

oz. dwt. gr.

'cotal Yield of GoI!!;, •

oz, dwt. gr.

Various claims 1,826 0 0 0 11 16~ 1,067 0 0 Ditto 1,000 0 0 0 16 0 800 '0 0 Ditto 914 0 0 0 10 6i 469 0 0 Ditto 855 0 0 0 4 lOb 189 0 0 Ditto "', 2,474 0 0 0 9 9! 1,162 0 0 .. , 7--''''::;:;;i-='::=ffi':;-'=l-,560=~'o;,:o~ ::o,c1'4:I6i!f' :1,·146 0 0 Various claims 4,000 0 0 0 6 15~ 1,330 0 0

1,052 0 0 1 3 at 1,217 0 0 1,200 0 0 1 4 5~ 1,454 0 I)

i .. to

Remarlil! relative to'the Depth at which the Quartz was obt3Jned •.

. .' • 1, " • ; '~

Various ,depths Ditto Ditto . Ditto Ditto From210to280feet Various depths Depth not given

. Various ~i;Ums 600 0 0 0 8 16 260 0 0 Various depths 1,740 0 0 0 5 12~ 480 {1 0 Ditto .,

. .. ,. , .... ,. ,2,~09 :Of 0.0: ·?I.7'l~i . 410.;. O. 9. ", .. " : f. ! t_t ~" .. Ll :"'._~~':'-_:_. _.'_"_._ .

Totals, Quartz . 19,430 0 0 ? 10 6r 9,984 0 0

. The above are all the returns I have been able to procure. Much more has been crushed in this' division, and could the returns be got the average would be higher than it is. A great deal of quartz has been raised, but the wan,t.:..o.tw.atQ.r'.h_~~;<lompplll~m!l,ny~(lI.:!!~l1ing:mills to stop. Many reefs that were 'abandoned are now being taken Ull again, and are likely to prove remunerative, in consequence of the greater facilities. (or,,~,lfr.~fngI!latf~i!J,.I~l!p9.,the redpl'~d prj.ec"of crushing. .

~ The continuea"~c'arcity df"'water~'hlti;~'auriiii(''tJ:l& quarter;"'seriolls1y interfered with mining operations in this subdivision, causing a stoppage of several crushing mills, and also preventing puddling to a great. extent. . ",

Notwithstanding this there 'isgreatly increased, confidence'in the richness of the quartz rilerS, c!1pital is being invested much more.frel'lly than iLhas .hit.he.rt.o .been, .and mining is now conducted generally in a much better manner than ~t has been before, and with corresponding results. . I '.r- .. :~" .,,+ .' I .~!'- '~."D .1,'·~ .

! :." i .' I,:'

"

_I.

;,'-;:,r 0 .... "'·

Alluvial Miners

Quartz Miners

... l'f '.

. ,. 'EAGLEHAWK' SUBDIVISION.,

. Mr. G. W. Hwrt, Mining -Surveyor and Regf,atrar.

Totals

a ~.; . .: . t ,. ".: 't ••

; THE TOTAL N U.MJ!D O.F MINER!! IS kHUS DISTRIBUTED:-I , " • " ','" . '.'"1.! t ~ t :' ~ • <,- Ii ..

Windmill Hill,' .... 129 Mechanic's ·Reef. i '~ .. " • Johnson's Reef. . . :.. ! 120, Jlolt:s Reef... .,,; ... St. Mungo ..... , '.1:. ;.. S4\. ';];,ightningReef. .:'~. Catherine Reef.. ... . ... ... 65 Sebastopol Reef. I ..

Robert Burns Reef .'.. 22 ) Adelaide Reef L

~,'. , "

~~ ~,

·.····,1

~'\' .. '" .7::2 . '4

... 12 ,,;:: ":2

- 11, :'4' Star Reef ... ., .~'" , ,'~ I .~;Peter the Great Re~f ]i::-:

Clarence Reef'.: .. >, :.'. ,::' ! • "': l?~. . :;01d Tom Reef .. 1,~' Moon Reef ... : ... : .~. l'" ....42 .'East.Johnson Reef. '" Specimen Hill~;,,:' I"." '.f"',., '; .. ,,! .Z2.; ,;;YVal\ace Reef' .. Eagle Reef ":, i'" ... 14 Princess Royal Reef

"',11 ·'d·~:.t ~.:~,; '" ·2

Anglo Reef ". 29 J~obi,n Hood Reef .... Comet Reef ... ,'. , :.. , 24 ,Red Hill Reef": Prince of Wales Reef.. (. .... ' ... " I ·24' .··Eaglehawk ... Dead Horse Reef, Peg-Leg ... - ... 22 :Beelzebu,b Gully, Dead Horse Reef, Napoleon; ... : I 44· 'l\fyers'):l'lat; .•. :.' ,. .1 ••

Horstiana Reef' . .": 4 Dead Horse Flat '.~. Moonlight Reef" 10 ~"Ciilifornii G;rty

'J.,e~~C!>ter Ree( . :, .... " _ , .... '., \ J9.. Pott\'lry ;F.la~ .; .' "i' J?!gJ13:11's ~e(lL ,... ... . , . ...j 1+ 'J?en<lj.go F,laL'. . • ,!! l.

Snob's lIiH Reef ... . 47 .. White Hills ... Black Forest Reef ' .. 7 W\llp~tiQk Wetherall Reef,. . 4oHun~lyj. ,'" Dublin Reef' , .. 6 . . :Epsom,,' ... Chrtstop4e R~Qf . ""2. '., Ironstone Lead ., Red Jacket Reef 2 ," r.:Sy;dney,:f1at

. Shelback.Reef· ..... i 25 .Telegraph

.' <~'. r • l\. .~.

, .:,

I •• ,

Redan Re'ef "'" 0.... 78. Red.Jacket Flat, ., .',. , Anierican Reef 40 . a.J.l~rtree·Flat . !

Jackass. Reef .... i8., I ..

Sophla Reef ; . . .... 27 Nelson Reef... . 64 .. : ' '.

"

l'H~ MACIlI~~RY"~S AS FOLL~WS':;':' , , . ,- '" _. - " .

, . . ~. . . -;' ..

.. ~"

... '6

.... 40 800 80

.. .. 420 _110. 300

., 140 ,. :: .. 270

••• 25@ '~"'" ,.3~~,_

240 I

. ... - 340 .1. .;:200' '" ·100

.. :. ·20 "".. 80

..... 10

.. :4,997 -'-. .

, )'1

• "~ ,I .• J " 'I.-,. ,': ':, "! '", -t...,1·~.' i. "I "l't.

Total value of mining plant in'tlie subdiViSion,· 1£120,000;' , "': I' : .,;:' ". ~"::"'" I p" "~: '. t-1,rl :,. ·.I,\\l~, ',. • t ' ,.; '.,~": '~t.

Number of square miles of auriferous grou,nd which is' being, or . may have been, actually worked upon, 6~. I

. Number of distinct quartz reefs whichhfl.,YeJ,tee'9 .. !!,cPllal).Y:.proved to be~auriferous to the present tIme, 58.'

, The price of gold during the quarter in the subdivision has been from :£3 168. to :£3 18s. per Oll.

44

TnB FOLLOWING Il!'FORMATION HAS BEEN OBTAINED RELATIVE TO THE QUANTITY OF QUARTZ AND

QUARTZ TAILINGS AND CEMENT CRUSHED DURING THB QUARTER, AND THE GoLD OBTAIZfED

THEREFROM.

Name of Company. I Average .\ 'I RrunI.rks relative to the

. Whew Quartz, &C., were 'I' Quartz _".h~A y,'eld of n~ld' Total Yield of, Depth lit which the ollta.ined. V' ~ "'4 To""" G<lld. ,Quartz, &c., were ob-

pet n. ,. ta.ined, &c.

ton ewt. 'IT. Gz.dwt.gr.

Gold Mines Co. Johnson's Reef .. . Pease and Company... Devonshire Reef .. .

2,105 0 0 516 0 O' 800 0 0 370 0 0,

o 15 01 o 16 3 050

GZ. dwt. gr. I 1,581 0 0, •

416 0 0 Prince of Wales ... Prince of Wales Reef Peg-Leg CO)l1pany ... Peg Leg ... ...

200 0 0 415 0 0

Star Reef Company... Star Heef ... Clarence Reef Company , Clarence Reef ...

. 1,111 0 0 1,414 0 0 1,560 0 0 4,167 0 0 1,000 0 0

1 2 lo.{g o 1 17 95 0 0

279 0 0 930 0 0

,2,340 0 0 , 750 0 0

McNavis... . .. I' Specimen Hill ... Eagle Company .,. Specimen Hill ...

o .3 22~ o III 22~ o 9 19j o 15 0 Alabama Company... North Redan ...

Quartz Tailings and Cement crushed.

James and Company .. . Felix Company .' .. .. Roberts ,and Company Lewis and Company· ... Mitchel and Company Thomas and Company Rising Snn Company .. . North Star Company .. . All'England Company, Hardie Brothers ... Excelsior Company .. . Cambridge Company .. . Ballarat and Bendigo .•. Caledonian Company .•• Ajax Company ...

Total, Quartz 1.3,643 0 0 0 10 6k 1,006 0 0

4th White Hill ... 1,600 0 0 0 1 12 120 0 0 6th White Hill... 800 0 0 0 4 6 170 0 0 Epsom .,. '" 1,300 0 0 0 4 0 260 0 0 Ditto... •.• '780 0 0 0 5 0 195 0 6 Ditto ... ... .3,900 0 0 0 0 19t 160 0 0 Huntly... '" 2,000 0 9 0 5 0 500'0 0 Pottery Flat ... 520 0 0 0 7 4i 181 0 0 'Ditto .,. .•. 1,800 0 0 0 3 21 349 0 0 Ditto... '" 520 0 0 0 9 0 234 0 0 Ditto .,. "" 800 ,0 0 0 6 0 240 0 0 Ditto ,... ... 120 0 0 0 2 8 14 0 0 'Huntly... ... 2,080 0 0 0 5 0 • 520 0 0 Ditto... ... 560 0 0 0 5 0 140 . 0 0 Pottery Flat ... 2,500 0 0 . 0 5 0 625 0 0

~::~~tzTail~"} 2:::::-: : 7-: :LO 14':':: : : ings and Cement "To

Cement. Ditto. Drift. Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. Ditto.

The want of water has had a most disastrous influence on the returns from the various mines, many of the large companies having had to discharge their hands, and, to suspend operations for no incqnsiderable period, and, as a necessary consequence, the yields are much .less than might have been reasonably expected,' considering the'increased vigor which of late has ·been displayed both in mining and prospecting. The returns from the companies which have been ena.blcd to work show that the reefs are not getting poorer, and in many instances from the dee{lest levels the richest stone has been obtained. There IS also a greater tendency shown to amalgamation, and the miners are gradually conscious of the fact that large areas of ground and powerful machinery are necessary in cases where the reefs are poor. It has been found that small claims, unless . enormously rich, will not pay to sink shafts to any great depth; and on the Windmill Hill line, where the claims are very small, the cost of the separate shafts and drives would .be a large item of profit to a company. These considerations have induced the owners of small elaims to initiate the formation of many new companies, while the old ones still maintain. their reputation by raising as rich stone as

'fqrmerly. Among the latter may be classed 'the Nelson, which for a long time past has maintained an average fortnightly return of 120 ounces. At a depth of 300 feet the St. Mungo Company got somc extraordin'arily rich stone, from 3! tons of which 190 ounces of gold were retorted. On the Windmill

, Hill line the Cinderella, the Anglo-German, the Kent, Buckie and Co. claims still. continue as good as . ever; and the Emu and Johnson's R.eef Companies have both had very rich stone, in some instances yielding as much as 100 ounces of gold from 8 tons of quartz. Notwithstanding the great addition to the machinery, amounting now to 44 heads of stampers, the United Claimholders Company, Catherine Reef, _have had but poor returns; indeed the works now lie idle for want of water. The Star Reef Company are about to put up a 60 horse-power engine and powerful crushing plant, their present one being found very ineffective. No improvement has taken place in the Sailors' Gully Company; and the new reef in the Ie Gompany has disappointed the expectations that were formed of it. The Argus Company are s' a shaft 400 feet deep, the expense of which will be covered by the profits of the stone now c~. '1'he Peg-Leg Company has been getting large returns, and at a depth of 130 feet immense bodies of quartz have been discovered eastward of-the former workings. The Prince of Wales Company and many others are paying expenses; but all cannot be prosperous at one time; no doubt their turn will come. Many new reefs are being opened up, which afford satisfactory prospects to those who venture' on· them, among which I may mention the Black Forest Reef, 40 tons of stone yielding 50 ounces of gold.' In Huntly the deep lead is still worked vigorously. The North Star, the Ballarat, and the Cambridge companies afford profitable employment both for labour and capital. The Lower Huntly Deep Lead Company have also commenced work, and some few miners still persevere in private claims on their own account; but alluvial mining occupies a very subordinate position, from which it can only be rescued by a. plentiful supply of water. On the whole, the prospects of the various mines are satisfactory, though not brilliant, for the past dry season struck a blow to the prosperity of this district which it will take a considerable time to recover from. ' .

45

KILMORE DIVISION.

Mr. Martin Meagher, Mining Surveyor and, Registrar.

THE POPULA.TION IS !>-9 FOLLOWS:-

I Europeans. , Chinese, Total for the I Rems.rks. Division. --- , --,-

'i . . Alluvial Miners ... ... 403 ... 403 P.opula~ion of this division, ap-

including Quartz Miners 129 129

proxtinately taken, miners, is about 6000 • ... ... ...

~-,---

Totals ... 532 ... 532

THE MA.OHINERY IS AS FOLLOWS:-

/ ALLUVIAL MINING. QUARTZ Mmll'/G.


.-.--.-.-~

uddling Machines ... ... ater Wheels ... ...

luice Boxes ... ... team Engines-Soraghan and Co.

p W S S D D D D D

itto, Tea-tree Creek ... itto, Yea. Webster and Co. ... itto, King Parrot, 1\1. Fortune ... itto, ReedyCreek,J.Ferrell and Co. itto, Kilmore old diggings, Lau-rence Bourke and Co.

! At Work.

-._.-

. ..

. .. 20 '.,' ... ... ... ... ...

I Aggregate Idle. Horse-wwer of

Steam !lIliaes.

9 ... 1 t

60 '" ... ... , ~ .. ... ... ... ... .. . ... , . .. ... ...

Total value of all mining plant in the division, £7,715.

I Number I Aggregate At Work. Idle. of Stamp Horse.~r of , . Heads. Steam 'nell

,~.-

... . .. ... . .. ... ... . .. , ... . .. .., 1 .... 6 to . .. 2 16 20 1 .. . 8 10 ... '1 8 to ... '2 18 30 ... ;t 8 10

.

Number of square miles of auriferous grou~d·which is being, or may have been, actually worked upon, about 30. .

Number of distinct quartz.reefs which have been actually proved to be auriferous to the present time,32. '

The price of gold during the quarter in the division has been from £3 15s. to £3 16s. per oz.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS BEEN OBTAINED RELATIVE TO THE' QUANTITY OF QUARTZ

CRUSHED DURING THE QUARTER, AND THE GOLD OBTAINED THEREFROM •. ,

Name of Oompany.

Welcome Reef, Tea-tree Creek Ranges, Sora-ghan and Co.

Flat Lead, on Miller's Run, near Yea (among seven claims)

Providence Mining As-sociation, James D. Webster, shareholder and manager ,

Where Quartz was obt&ined.

Welcome Reef . ,

Crushed ...

... I

'"

Muddy Creek, near Yea, on Kerr's Run

Totals, Quartz ...

Yi:d~~ld . Total Yield of Quartz crushed. per Ton. Gold.

-,-.-~~~

ton em. qr. oz. dwt. gr. oz. dm. gr. 14 0 0 '316 0 53 4, <,0

,

73 0 0 3 5 Q 237 5:' I

0

4 0 0 20 0 0 80 0': 0

I --~l--~-~-'I I

4 1 101 370 9;1 0 I I I

Rems.rks relative to the Depth at which the Quartz was obtained, &c.

-'-.~~--"-'

The shaft about 14 o 1 e

feet, and the tunne about 270 feet. Th reef about 18 inche thick.

Several shafts,' fro i 8 to 40 feet. m

: Theprospectingsha ft f s

150 feet. Theree about 18 inche thick, and rich.

Laurence Bourke states he has about 1,500 tons of cement raised and ~t his mill ready as soon as he gets sufficient water to work with, which is the case generally this quarter in alluvial and quartz mining in this part of the district. -. I

The principal mode of mining is tunnelling, both ill claims and ground taken up un<fer the Gold. Mining Leasing Regulations lately, which mode of operation I recommended ili my reports ending the 31st of March, 1864, page' 43, and report. ending the 30th of J nne, 1864, page 37 (which see). I am glad to see this method adopted, being for the pub1ic good. }

, I have the honor of sending you an account to the circular dated 23rd of May, 1865, of the number of s~1J!U',e. m~eB of quartz reefs that ar~ ,RJl..q., 'hay?' bl},!ln: p~98pected in tpis division, and the different localItIes III which they are, many of which have been abandoned, not found payable, while many of them are lately taken up, with several newly discoveled reefs of ,\!hich the pr9spectors seem well

. pleased. Also, the allu.vi~I?gi:oundand'1.working8;i in, this description 'of mining' there has not been much improvement during my time here.

The alluvial ground in Kilmore divisionwliicll has been prospected and in present occupation and abandoned is about ten square ,miles,(equal,to .p,400 ae1;'es, sitl:!.ate as follows, viz., at Moranding (Kilmore), Reedy Creek and tributaries, ·King Parrot, Str~th Creek, Pheasant Creek, Boundary Creek, Tea~tree Creek; Snob's'and Dry Creeks, &c. 1\)1 those creeks, with the exception of Reedy Creek and Snob's Cre~k ~,Je,~ot been -w:orked on' ~hll,'ing this q\larter th!?u,g~f,want of water, and still the same want prevaIls. ,A,1:loilt 400, mlllcrs are at'presell,t on the cr\lek; .. , . . .. , .... In-ree'fin~ra good' deal has been done during the quarter. There have been four applications for lllining'leaseii ;·,one on the Reedy 'Creek; one on the Cattle Ranges, King Parrot, and two on. the Tea.tree CieekR'anges\·h:The'pnn<:iipal part of the present mining operations is tunnelling. There ave a few quartz clairiui,'caJid:'a prospecting claim taken up on the Morang and Yan Yean Farmers' Common, near Whittlesea. ' "

, \ ".' ~ . *, ',' ,'lI: ,'/; ;'{< • '*' '*' , ',,,'," '*

If all the quartz ground which is at present worked upon, and that abandoned, were all , amalgamated, it would make twenty square miles ; but if !ill quartz,bearing land from the Tallarook

Ranges by Reedy Creek, by Stradth"Creek', King 'Parrot and its vicinity, Mudr}y Creek, Yea, the :Flat Lead, and the. Tea.tree Creek Ranges ,were all placed in close proximity. ~nd. ,ef!tiri1ated, .. they. would e~ceed 100 squaI~e..,!llH~~, :!lot including the re~,f!l jus~ op'~!!~d near Whittle sea, and others said to be dIscovered on'Hamilton's Run, on the Sugar :Doaf'Cree'k; riear Pyalorig •

.. : .•. ,. There ~e'ln.e leads or gutters in thisAivif}~on, ' .," '," '.' ' ':, ":',:J7;:?T.!!c.appr~#Ii1ate,a~eas:or gullies,cree.ks ,or; river 'beds, isabottt ten square miles; equal to 6,400

square'acres. ' , ; , ... The area,of tIle schist or other I'ocks is.about twenty square miles, equaLto 12,800:sqU'are,acres.

With respect to .the schist rocks mentj.oned, they are of'a black, stdne.like, slaty formationl'and.:are generally found,abolit 100 feet below the surface,adjoining tlie reefs'; hnt this dep'~nds, in",a great measure, On the'formation of the ranges.··: , . ,,"', ;';", ".. '. '

,f, ~: I I. • .' • ~ ".'.'" ~ 'I: .',:"

'; Very little ha~ b£lfl,n done on the company'~. claIm, ReeHY Cre!'lk, dWlllg. t)i!l ,pJ;e,seut qllarter; they,report bei~g forming a c?mpany~o work the clairq.. I ,~.,w-"'~"i :,,1,11"" .. " ,:","".

;:'The Magenta Reef.-Roberts ana Co.-are tunnelling;' they are ndW iIi ,!llJoutfifty feet; four men employed. '" I' ; t' ' .. , .. ;.]" ,.<f J • L. 'J.' '

Solferina, ,Shepherds, Wellington, and Leviathan Reefs, Reedy Creek, are stili\eing work~d by twomeneach:""'"'' " .. "-<"'.' ',,,,·n.',,," ,.',"" '-" .. ," ,. """,,'<'" ','"'' " ,"'." , ,',

Tea.tree Creek Ranges, Eunisk,illeJl:.Reef,Kelly,an~ Cornpany.-:-~rQspects g?.od; .some exeel. lent quartz raised from the shaft; they have. commenced tunnelling, and !'lei' not expect to, c~.~ch the reef before' boring' some'500'or 6QO feet (they h8:fe l,threeainii1ganiated claims worked by six men.

Du~robin Re,ef,sa~e creek.-Ro~s ruid.party ~re ~unuelliIlg in this ,claim, .and ,expect :~triking the reef' at '25G;,feet,· whieh ,theyexpeet ,to. accomplIsh m the courseof"t~Q 'months';' tliey 'hlt~e ~w9 runalgamated claims, ll?d employ four men. , ~' ' " , . WelcomecReef;+Soraghan and Company work fromboth',turinel and shaft, "and' usually erush about 4; ozs. to the ton; they crushed 14 tons, which gave 56 ozs.of gold; they employ six men. , ,Catherine Reef,_!ate,German Jilek's, Copkerel and, C!lmpl1ny.-:-~ey.4a'Ye tw,o am~gamated claims; known as CatneritieReef'and Catherine Reef South, and. worked brpiitty of eleven men.

Flat Le;;d.-Th~r~' ar~ 'J~' 'clailns! <in this iille 6f;~~f :ih iJif' w6:l-k,' ~hd' oii~ Under exemptiod. The shafts along this'line'of reef vary from,8 to 40 feet. EighteeiCtons of quartz··ftoni."claiifl"'~'o: 1 south, .on, this,reef, .vielded,57 ozs:; the,qnartz was raised by two men, within the period of ten weeks. ~ ... '.~., ti.,._"' \·.Jl~l"~ (~;1.;'1; '"fo)''{'{'''':~'" . ," ___ /' ~:r·,:-·~~...£:1'11''''I·'lr '. • "...."., I' ~~"~

" .;,' ... :Lucky ;'Wow.an's.~Eive tons ,(r6m:~hi~ claim,' in the sameJlllle of reef, YIelded'16 iizs.,worked by two men. ' .... ..._. _ i - .-_._--,

Horseshoe R~ef .. -;:J.'P.e.o·own!,\l,'sj9f .~lf1s .cJa~, R~ the same line of reef,; have some six tons of , Ql1artz, rais~~".~~ich! t~eYi~exRyct 'iviJI y'~pl~ apout2 'oz~.: to the ton,; ... ~o~~~d, ,~Ji t~v,o ;D,len: .':1.' J, .

" " The.Coachlll.ah's :aeef .. "",:"Same line ~f, reef; prospeqts good m this .groutId.; .. "share~Jworth.£40; some ,of the shares 1n thlf! claIm sold Bome tiIlle back for £10; worked by SIX men. ',' .. '.' .~' .1 .

• J Se;ferai'reefs, :amongst others the Catherine Reef, and a claim known as No. 1 of said claim, on s~e C~I!~, ~~e,:P.rg~~~sip~., .. ene ~w~nty.fO:urj;h .~h!ll'e in!the 9atherin!lJ~e\lf, h~_s j?-!!t peen sold f<;>r £50, and !1oubl~ .. tliIs sum IS now ·sought for a SImIlar share m the same reef, wl;ll~li, lS',abojIt to·be brought unde'rthe Limited Liabilities Act. !. .. ; .1. "~~.;;: , • .

... ,,; ,:Muddy ' Creek, Yeai tunnel claim, McIntosh and. Gompany,. w.est of W,ebster) ground.-The parties are i~'to!a'distance of 214 feet, and daily expect to'strike:'the7i."eef.' . .''[ . ,~1 _".FI" .,' .

, ·"· .. ·.;w'~~st~1:',8/1eased ground, on said, cree~.-This coppany recently cr~shed"foilr ,;~?~~(We'o/st raised J l:iy''theiil''since 'they commenced-operatIOns; I the YiIeid was 70,j)zs., mdependently' of' a large quantity of gold which escaRed with the tailings, since recovereci but n<;>~:~(lt{)rted. One ton and a half of quartz just crushe'd from'this 'gro'und p:odn~ed 4!it ozs;'of'amalgam. I am told one thousand pounds would not purchase ,one· eighth share III thIS ,chum.· . The ,same company: have, at. present ready for the machine 20 tons of quartz, whicli they purpose crushing next week; they anticipate it will at leastyield-200zs .. toithe,torr.i lH!i ,. H .. ,,··" :,::: .. 1, 'i' ~':' ·'J.e ", .. 't;", ,' ..

. ~ .. ;:; ':K.nmore 'DiggitigsG6Id) Milling Company, Moranding:-IlaureJ1c~ Bourlie analpan:y"p.ave ·about ,~,P.cx? tons~ ~e~en!,~~~~.r..~~r (l~shing'"but are stopped for w~nt oCwater, r~nd emplottw~~tY·two men,' 'they are 'still raISing cement ... "J" '. '.' •. ".. .. 'J ,r, I ": . '''i , ' ..

", '. :'T~e'~umb~r ofll(Jefs·~3*'iii."obEu~atib'rl: on"th~'J{iiDiore nivision,:is ~s ~f;n&w~;-'l'" ,'>" :.':"":~ , :: 'J.) ~. ·1· .• .;· ."~'\' • J" , " " ' f'~' ft", .. t' I'''~ .• ;';...!),- :.~ J .... '.

. K~lmore Ol~ Diggi.n~s, M oranding . • ~:; GOv'ernment;larid '.farro~r~; conimon:'B':i ~'< ,JI j,,,; Ktlmore Gold Mllllllg Company, 22 ~~~ S ' ,

A7

Reedy Creek- On~McKenzie's run. Flat Lead Ranges- On Miller's run. Reedy ,Creek Gold Mining Co., ditto. Lucky Woman's, 2 men, ditto. Magenta Reef, 4 men, ditto. Horseshoe, 2 men, ditto. Solferin~ ~R~ef;' .. - 2 men, ditto. Hit-or-Miss, late Canadian, 2 men, ditto. Leviathan Reef, 2 men, ditto. Coachman's, .. 6 men". ditto.

,', \,; ;'.Shepherd'sR~ef, .2 men, ditto. ,Muddy Creek, Yea, ., " : On Kerr'a.run. , Wellington Reef, 2 men, ditto. ' 'McIntosh'and Company, 6 men, d:tto.

Butler's Reef, . 2 men, ditto. Providence Mining As:. . Albert Reef, 14 men, ditto. sociation, 24 men, ditto. Captain's Reef, 2 men, ditto. , Cattle Range near King Parrot-on Hamilton's run. Sailor's Reef, . 2 men, ditto. , . Prospecting Claim, '4 men~' ditto.'

Tea Tree Creek Ranges- "On Miller's run. ,Yan Yean Farmers' Common-Wel£ome Reef, 6 men, ditto. '; Prospecting Claim; 4 men. ' ' .' .'. Catherine Reef, ' 4 mEm, ditto. King Parrot Creek-on Fergusson's run-No.1, §outh of Welcome Doyle, late Hannigan, 2 men.

Reef, " ,4 men, ditto. Stradth 'Creek-on Fergusson's run-Enniskillen Reef, 6 men, . ditto. Hayes and 'CompaJiy, 4 men. Dunrobin Reef; . 4 men, ditto. Second ,Creek, Old Mountain Rush.:..:...

Flat Lead Ranges- On Miller's run. Prospecting quartz cl!lim, newly takel;lup by . No.l,'South, 2 men;' ditto. F. C. Gibbs and CJompany, 4 men. -:

, . The principal mode of mining is tunnelling, both -in, claims and grouJ;1d ,taken. up under the Gold Mining LeaSing Regulations lately, which mode of operation' '*' * ,., '~"" I am glad to see adopted, being for the public good. ., .. . ",This division, rich in alluvial and quartz reefh;tg q1).alities, ,was very much resorted 'to until

lately; miners having heard of richer fiolds, have tried; the disappointed are again returning, and I expect ,in a few months that all the former reefs will be again taken up, as prospecting is going on to III considerable ex~nt in all directions, and succeeding,

, " The priIlCipal eau-Se' of all,.ilill 6lnims on Reedy Creek and its vicinity being abandoned was, a charge of £5 a- ton for crushing and £2 lOs. for carting; the reefs did not pay. Th<1Y became unworkable by water, and for want of means to procure .pumping apparatus, which is being now .avoided by tunnelling. A sec!l!lt;i.q.9:Y8.!ltage is, p~ly £1 is charged forcrus~jng, and ten shillings for cartage, per ton.

* * '*' * ~ * * ~ The fol,iow1ng account has been given !De by the Colonial and'Orien~al Banks here, of ' all gold

purchased by them during the quarter;- . .

.' ;C)Iiental; from ~alhlvial :Ditto "quartz Colonjal, " alluvial Ditto'· ",quartz .. ~ ,

Total, ...

1 '

0'" 139 78 95 1~3

:dw,s,

8 !)

o , '0

505 '18

grs.

12 19 o o 7

I can find: rio reliable information from' ~e alluvial miners that I can depend upon, except through the banks. The scarcity. of water has been the cause of the small returns this quarter, but I have no doubt they will be very much larger when the weather fairly breaks; which many are anxiously looking forward te." " . . ,

: ! .'

-\ ",' .I, , , i ~'; : ~ .' :;, .~~ .. ;t:; '.,:.',

HEA'J:HCO'fE DIVISION I AND' WARANGA SOUTHl.SBBDf.VISION.,:

\ i Mr: if. '!..; S~i~'Y!'gz.i.gJ!!:b~'-~1l:.rv~yor and' R~;~trar. I .

;.. .; f. i. I _____ .,:' !::. fJ~!'t~.'

r' +H.~ T'~~ ~~T~~ N~·j~·E~·~; MINERS IS A.S FOLLOWS :_! , ' '.0"

'j Chinese.

,Totj>l fill' tho Europeans. Division and . , . : S.llgdivision.

,A_ J F

, ··Rem";ks. ;' ~! .;.l! "~in: , ,J

Alluvial Miners 750 70 820 1

Q~ar~z Mine:~ '. ... 450

'.2?' -I

450

I:

Totals 70 1,270

; \ THE TonL NUMBER' OF ',::VIINERS IS THUS DISTRI:BUTED:-

Heathcote (proper), inclvding .. Argyle Gully, Caledoilia Gully,: .. \ Long Gully. Wattle Flat, Commissioner's 'Flat, Golden'

Gully, &c., &c. ... ... ... ... ':.. 500" Redcastle, Spriqg Creek, Staffordshire Fl!Lt, &c., ~c. 40. Costerfield ". ,;."...'... . ". ,'" 15,0. Wild Duck Cree"!!: ... ,53

400. ."

Mundy Gully, Ford's Gully, &0. Campaspe a.nd Coliban .. ' , '," 10

Total' 1,270

" .

" . , , ~,'

'"

48

THE MACHINERY IS AS FOLLOWS :-

ALLUVIAL MnrrNG. I.

I QUARTZ lII:rNINo.

Description of MAchinery.

At Work. I' ------:-gregaw l "

j Number Aggregate Idle. Horse-power of I At Work. Idle. of Stamp :~~:~l10;~s~ i Steam Engines. , Heads.

---'--' -'---~ -I ,

Steam Engines '" ... ... ... .. . II 5 101 330 Puddling. Machines ... . .. 33 32 '" ... . .. ... ... Chilian Wheels ... ... . .. ... .. . ... 4 ... . .. Horse Whims ... ... ... ... . .. 12 ;) . .. . .. Horse Whips ... ... ... ... . .. . .. 6 I ... . .. Sluice Heads (water) 4 -... ... .. . . .. ... . .. ... . ..

I

Total value of mining plant in the division and subdivision, £39,650. Number of square miles of auriferous ground whioh is being, or may have been, actually worked

upon, 80. Number of distinct quartz reefs which havc been actually proved to be auriferous to the

present time, 93. . 'l'he price of gold during the quartcr in the division and subdivision has been from £3 15s. to

~~~ . ' ,

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS BEEN OBTAINED BELATIV~ TO THE QUANTITY OF QUARTZ AND QUARTZ TULINGS AND CEMENT CRUSHED DURING THE QUARTER, AND THE GOLD OBTAINED THEREFROM. . '

Name of Company. I Where Qoartz, &e., wero o"tamed.

.1 Average . Remarks relative to tho Quartz crushed. IYield of Gold Total. y,.ld of 'Depth at which the

per Ton. Gold. Quartz was obtained.

--------. ------.--- --.---- ----- ------,1------

HEATIICOTE: Hird and Company Emily Reef ...

... Williams and Company Scandinavian Company Butler's Reef Company Cement,HilI ... :Morning Star Reef Brown and Hanson Neil and Company Hoberts'on and Horne,

Banffshire Reef

REDCASTLE. Perry and Company' Reid and Company Glenn and Company ... Campbell and Company Hay and Company Walters ... Anderson and Company Blonde! and Charsley ••. Spiro and Company Clarke ... Sundries

COSTERFIELD. Costerfield Gold. and

Antimony Mining Company,.

Minerva Mining Co. Morris ~nd K~mp' .. ;.

ton cwt. qr. oz. dwt. gr. oz. dwt. gr.

Argyle Hill 165 0 0 I 8 12~ 235 5 0 100 feet Long Gully 16 0 0 o 19 6 15 8 0 40 feet

• Argyle Hill 127 0 0 o 16 2l! 107 6 0 90 feet Caledonia Gully 14 0 0 I O' 17~ 14 10 0 Ditto 25 0 0 I 2 0 27 10 0 220 feet Heathcotc \I 0 0 0 5 1O~ 2 II 0 Caledonia Gully 2 0 0 1 15 0 3 10 0 Trial crushing Long'Gully 22 10 0 I I 18?,. 24 10 0 Red Hill ... 105 0 0 0 5 6~ 27 15 0 Ditto 56 0 0 0 5 ~2* 15 10 0

--------- -----Total, Quartz 541 10 0 o 17 11* 473 13 0

-------.. -- -----Staffordshire Flat ... 33 10.0 l' 5 8ft- 42 \I 18 Ditto 27 0.0 1 o 13h 27 13 12 Ditto 24 0 0 0 5 3~ 6 3 12 Redcastle 11 0 0 o 16 21fi 9 6 0 Ditto " .... 30 0 0 1 8 19! 43 '4 0 Sinking varies Ditto , 12 10 0 I 1 IS~ 13 12 0 from 40 feet to Ditto 7 0 0 0 4 0 I 8 0 about 118 feet Ditto . 17,10 0 o 14 19~ 12 19 12 Ditto 11 0 0 0 2 5 ,24 15 0 Ditto II 10 0 . 1 o 10ft II 15' 0,

46 ,0 0 ~I6~1~~ -----Total, Quartz ... 231 0 0 0'18 III 213 6 6

662 0 0 o 14 22A 494 4 21 220 feet

499 0 0 0 12 14~3 314 0 o· 200 feet 64 0 0 3 10 19k! 226 10 20 180 feet

Total, Quartz ... r~O--;- ~~11,03.o5l7 I have the honor to submit my report on the mining operations carried on in this division and

subdivision during the quarter. . In quartz workings through the division and. subdivision, very little change has taken place

within that period; and rather a falling off in the general yields is, I regret to state, observable throughout the various loc!1lities. This is particularly apparent at Redcastle, where mining is almost completely at a stand. still ; and the only favorable exception is Costerfield, where, by the enterprise of the Costerfield Gold and A.ntimony Mining Company and the Minerva Mining Company; extensive niining operations are being carried on, employing a large number of men and obtaining very satisfactory results.

, The Wild Duok Creek new rush still maintains its proportions; and though no very large yields are reported, tho miners seem in general to be profitably employed, ane! anxiously await a supply of water.

I have the honor to report the discovery of gold (stated by the prospectors to be payable) lying beneath the hasalt, at a point on thc banks of the Campaspe about two miles west of the 'Wild Duck Creek diggings. The prospectors report its discovery at a depth of 102 feet below the surfaee level and 42 feet below the basalt, and. have a;pplied for a lease of 100 acres of the ground. In consequence, considerable activity prevails; and apphcations are being made, I understand, for leases of the ground Jying in its immediate vieinity and along tJ~e banks of the river.

49

The Red Hill Mining Company' have this day commenced operationsi; and the discovery of a new auriferous quartz reef on their ground has been reported. , '

The Long Gully Reef Mining Company are engaged in erecting theu: machinery, and will be ready to commence work very soon. "

Application has been made for a lease of 150 acres of the low alluvial !grounds lying along the banks of the Mel vor Creek, between the township of Heathcote and the opposite ranges. And I am happy to report that a general disposition is sliown to introduce capitaliinto the district, as I am convinced that, III no other manner can the deep lying grounds of this locality 'be efficiently worked.

WARANGA NORTH SUBDIVISION.

Mr. Henry Boyns Nicholas, Mini'fl,q Surveyor and Rkgistrar.

T HE TOTAL N M UMBER OF .I' INERS IS AS FOLLOWS:,

! Total for the Europeans. Chinese. Subdivision.

"

Remarks.

.. '-'

Alluvial Miners ... . .. 88 194

Quartz Miners ... ... . .. 549 ,

Totals ... 88 743

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS IS THUS DISTRIBUTED:-. Rushworth-

Old Lead, Main Gully, Black Joe's, and N uggetty Gullies ... .. . . ..

Storekeeper's, Growler'S, Paramatta, Mousey's, and Shelback Gullies. ...

Skiting Dick'~, Billy Button's, Chicken Flat, and Dlamond Gully .. . - .,'

OldN ed's, Canadian, and Chinaman's Flat . Aufonia and Charcoal Gullies ... Nuggetty, South Nuggetty, and Cockatoo

Reefs... ... ... . .. Growler's, Crocker'a,Luna, and Champion

Reefs .,. ... ... . .. Chinaman's, Union, and Belfast Reefs ... Ahern's, Frenchman' 8, and Charcoal Reefs

Whroo--White Hills, Fontainbleau, Siberia, Two

mile, Blackwall, and Rilmore Road ... Main, Butcher's, Chinaman's, N uggetty

and Champagne Gullies .. , ... Scotchman's, Graveyard, Poverty, Wind-

lass Flat, and Mosquito Gully ... Balaclava,Malakhoff, and Stockyard Reefs

36

22

11 41 5

45

26 11 7

204

Whroo-continued. • Happy-go-Lucky, Car,r's, and Johnson's

Reefs... . .. i ... . .. Vogelsang's and VictoHa Reefs

Coy's- . Hard-scrabble, Corbett's, and Russell's

Gullies ... London, Welcome,! Essex, Murray,

Hicks', and Guerns~y Reefs ' ... Byron's, Union, Coy's,iand Great Eastern

Reefs .,. . .. ; ... . .. Cousin Jack, Brighton, and Cherry-tree

Reefs ," .... ... . .. Four-mile, Sandy, and Spring Creeks ...

Totals-11 Rushworth

. Whroo 32 Coy's Diggings

13 Total 21


ALLUVIAL MnlING. QUA.Da:Z MnlING •

10 4

91

23

161

128

117 19

448

2{l4

91 448

743

Description of lIIiI<lhInery. .

Aggregate , Number!, ~.gate At Work. Idle. ft':,:~! At Work. Idl~. of Stemp Horse-power of

Hea.ds. Steam Engine •• , I

I

Steam Engines-Quartz crusbing ... ... . .. . .. . .. 4 21 66 66 Pumping, crusbing, and winding ... . .. ... I 12 16

Horse Puddling Mills ... • ... l2 42 '" ... ... . .. Horse Wbims ... ... 6 ... ... . .,. . ... , ... ... Horse Wbips ... ... 15 . .. ... ... ., . ... .. .

Total value of mining plant in the subdivision, £17,000. ' N umber of square miles of auriferous ground which is being, or may have been, actually worked

upon,9. . Number of distinct, quartz reefs which have been actually proved to be iallriferous to the present

time,72. . ; The price of gold during the quarter in the llubdivision has been from £3 15s. 6d. to £3 19s. 9d.

per oz. '

No. 69, f.

50

THE' FOLLOWING' INFORMaTION"HAS"BEEN-OBTAINED RELATIVE TO"THE QUANTITY 'OF;'QUA:~TZ AND CRUSHED DUR!,NG THE 'QUARTER;"AND 'THE GOLD:'Ol?TAl'NllD 'THEREFROM'.' ", ,-,

L ,~ ", r.

Where ~irtzJ'&c" Were,'· Avera <) ."". Remarks rela.tiv~ to the

Quartz'Or\:ished. Yield of,mld ~ .. Total·YIeld of:, ,D,epth, at, which, the • • 0 tained. (1 I per Ton. i" G«ld. I ,~~z :va" obta,,;,ed:.,

. , .1.. " < . .. "

.. ton . ewt. qt. oz. dwt. gr, oz. ! dwt. gr. I , . .-.~

Stewart an!! Company South NuggettyReef 552 0 0 I 2 5.!. ,S 613 I 18 180 to 25\) feet Hushworth

Crocker and Company Crocker's Reef , .. 40 0 0 6 12 0 264 0 0 160 feet Fisher and others ' ... Nuggetty Reef ... 258 0' 0 0'14 1O! 186 5 0 50 to 100 feet Brooks and others ... Chinaman's Reef ' .. 49 0 0 1 4 16b 60 9 0 50 feet 'Esmond and others ... Luna Reef -. , . .. .- 24 0, 0 o 15 I I 18 1 0 80 to 120 feet Ahern and Company ... Ahern's Reef 4 0 0 2 '6 '12

.. 9 6 () 15 feet '"

Ayers and others .... Grow]er:s,Reef, ... 11 .0 0 21 ,7 17-r;, ,26. 5 '0 1\)0 feet Westlake and Company View Hill Reef ... 40 • 0 0 3 0 0 120 0 0 30 feet Byron and Company ... Byron ,Reef, Coy's 202 0 0 2 12 22! 534 16 0 50 feet

Ratcliff and Company diggings.

9f, lno London Reef ... ,8,2 ,0 0 2 11 15 0 50 feet Jones and others ... Welcome, Murray, 103 0 0 1 i 1 1321l 162 9 0 15 to 40 feet.

and Hicks' Reefs, " Coy's diggings

Flynn and others .;;' Cherry,tree Reefs .. , ·72 0 0 2 13 23 194 5 0 15 to 45 feet Rousseau and others ... Stockyard Reef, 20" 0 0 0 7 0 7 0 0 50 feet

Whroo , Bailey and others ... Happy-Go·Lucky; 9 0

Reef 0 1 ,910* 13 5 0 60 feet ."

Jones and others ... Carr's . .. ... :36 0 0 . 3 -,0 23i 109 15 0 110 feet Barrett and others, ... Johnson's Reef , ;~. to 82 0 0 o 12 19t 52 10 0 5.0 feet Cameron ... ... Redan Reef '" 7 0 0 o 17' 7 6 1 0 60 feet 'L'elford ,Fontain bleau .Reef ... - 12 .f.! 0 J J I, .1.0 ..• ". <' )8_ 1..7 .Jt 100 f<;et ... . ..

Cement crushed. " ,. ·Totals,.quartz : .. . 1,603 0'0;' 1 12 12j} ,2,607. 0,18 -------- ---------

.\ 0' 0 o 7 .3 ,30, 7, 5 Harrington, Vick~rs, From Nuggetty Gully, and others... .., Rushworth .

, The above tabulated returns show fair proofs octhe progr~Bs of the Waranga'Nort~ Subdivision-during the quarter. ..

The late raiQ.s ha:VQ fu!-,Q.jsheq.~ )iJ;n.i~d B,upply 0,( water, to! tp-!l.<;rqsp.illg. mills,. an4.,en!lbled a few of the puddlers to resume work. '.,.. . "

At ,:):{,u,shworth tp-e average"o,f ab0lt~ 800. ~ons pi quart2;.rajsed Jrmn S(luth,,;N,uggQtty, NuggQtty. Croeker's, and Vie.w .. Hill Reefs" is ne!!-rly 1~ oz. per 'ton,. '/ . ~, .

At,W~roo,} 9nes:spar.ty,;oll"C~rr's, ~eef, have ~'ealised t~!lj~ne average of 3 ozs. per ton, an,d upon eaeh of those reefs the prospeets continWl g90d. But) the most important improvement is manifest at Coy's diggiJ1gs. " Tp.e p.qpulatiqriis n(l.1V.J;learlY,..5pO; ;and daily aq~it~on~, t9. it t!1~e place. Th(l;460 tons of quartz crushed from Coy's produced upwards of 1,100, oz, 9f gold, and larger crushmgs are anticipateq. Thousands of tona of quartz ,"I\'hich.now' would not pay expenses, will, when the machinery in course of ereetion is at work, be it good source of profit, in fact, the difference ill cartage would be a fai~' ,dividend. In antieipation of this; the Byron Reef Company have let a contract for raising 2,000 tons of quarlz, and the Great East~rn Company. for 1,,000 tOIll?, ll;nd ~he whole of the reefs within fl mile of. the site of the engine are occupIed and ,workmg., " ,,' .

,. , . ',.

~:F.4.YWOOD DrVrSrQN,

,;!nEl-- :1;1', ') Mr. E. N. Emmett, jYfin1Jr:t,g Registra1'.

A Uuvial,Miners

Quart!! Miners

Totals

THE TOTAL NUlIq1.E.J;1. OF MINERS IS AS FOLLOWS :-

~ I

1,300

150

1,450

50

50,

Total for the ! , Divi6ion~

1;350

150

1,500

' .. \ : .

.' *, !,' -.,' 'r~,E\TO,T*L 1:illMBER OF MINERS IS THUS ~I~,~~IBU',t'ED;::--•. , '"

Raywood Sebastian, Elysian Flat Kamarookil' .1

Total

~I ••• .!, (~ .. !"

ReJllll.l'k •.

750 120 530

"

\. -100

1,~O?:

-: i

"

5l

., THE MACHINERY IS AS FOLLOWS :-

, ~ .,. '. aLLUVIAL MrNING. /' QUARTZ MINING.

'-.

DeBctipti;n of Machinery. Aggregate Sumbar Aggregate ~ " . ,

At Work. Idle. HOl'!le-powerof At Work. Idle. of Stamp .. tt" Steam Engines. I . Heads. Steam~eB.

Steam Engines ... ... ... ... ... .. . 3 36 36

Puddling Mills ... ... 8 37 ... .. . ... ... .. . •

. Totill value of mining plant in the division, £7,650. , N umber of square miles' of auriferous ground which is being, 'or may have been, actually worked

upon, 50. Number of distinct quartz reefs which havc becn actually proved to be auriferous to the present

time, 13. . . The price of gold during the quarter in the division has been from £3 17 s. 6d. to £3 18s. 6d. per oz . ..

THE FOLLOWING lNFORMATIO"" HAS 'BEEN OBTAINED RELATIVE TO THE QUANTITY OF QUARTZ AND SURFACE

QUARTZ AND ALLUVIUM CRUSHED j>.URISG THE QUARTER, AND THE GOLD. OBTAINED THEREFROM.

Nn.me of Company. I ' I Average ! ! R kit· t th

obtained. Quartz cl'Ullhed •. Yi~~ ?lon~ld • Gold.. ~:~ w':~ Obt::'!:J, &::" Where Quartz, &0., were G Total Yield of I emar s re at lYe, () e

Manly Reef ... Conlter's No.2 Christmas Reef

Sur/ace Quartz and Alluvium.

Elysian Flat Raywood Raywood

Total, Quartz ...

FredHick the Great Sebastian Company

ton cwt .. qr. oz. dwt. gr. oz. dwt. gr. 30 0 0 1 3 8 35 0 0 40 feet 25 0 0 1 0 0 25 0 0 94 feet 29' 0 0 0 9 15io! 14 0 0 106 feet

---------84 0 0 o 17 14~ 74 0 0

--------

2,312 0 0 0 5 9i 624 0 0: From surface to 10 ~et I deep. These ornshings

Total, Surface Quartz and Alluvium I

1 ____ ----______ 1 were ohleJ!y disintegrated . . surfaco quartz and allu-

",12,312 0 O. 0 5 9! 624 0 0 vium lar~el.Y intermixed.

I have the honor to submit my quarterly report of mining operations :in the Raywood Division. In my last I stated that the want of water had materially retarded mining operations, and I

regret to say that such is still the case, no rain of any importance having yetifallen. As observed in my late reports, as well as this, respecting the almest ,total absence of water for

mining and domestic purposes, togcther with the fact of a considerable mining population still being here, relying upon, bY'its aid when it comes, developing other payable quartz and alluvial leads, fully points to the good opinion held by the miners of this division as to its auriferous character.

An engine and stamp heads have been erected at Kamarooka during the quarter, and will, 80 soon as rain comes, be constantly employed, many tons of quartz being now at grass ready for crushing, principally from the apparently rich reefs known as Pembroke Castle, Jones, 'and DoubtfuL

A race of three miles is being constrncted at Ka.marooka, to lead water gathered from the adjacent open area to the engine just erected. • I

An alluvial claim of 100 yards square was registered last week, in the locality of Elysian Flat, about three miles from R~ywood. The first two loads washed returned 15' dwts. 3 gTs., taken at a depth of 45 feet, with two feet of cement overlying the washdirt •

.A. 31-ounoo nugget of gold was obtained the other daY"as also 39 ounces of alluvial gold, the produce of one mill, from the original Raywood prospecting claim. :, .

One hundred and fifteen quartz claims have been registered by me in this division, having a. colleetive al'ea of 420 acres. While some, however, are abandoned'for'want of means and water, some are exempted for a short period from work in accordance with the mining bye-laws. Many will, I have no doubt, turn out profitable.

The banks bave purchased a little over 1000 ounces of gold, exclusive of quartz, during the quarter.

* * * * * Auriferons discoveries on the site of the present township of Raywood in November, 1863,

caused a considerable rush, evcntuating in the establishment of a borough, including the township of Neilborough (Elysian Flat). The continuous drought of the year 1864, and up to June, the date of this repol't of 1865, paralysed alike the exertions of puddlers, quartz and alluvial miners, and doubtlessly retarded new discoveries. Assistance in the matter of a water supply has been solieited from the Government and responded to, a preliminary engineering reconnaissance made, and a sum of £10,000 placed u'p0n the estimates for the purpose. This prompt action of the Govej:nment has given general satisfactIon. :

The severe ordeal through which Raywood has passed from the want of\vater has not destroyed the general confid!lDce entertained in its auriferous resources, and a large company is being formed in the division to take up 'quartz and alIuvial c1aims, which will tend, I have no doubt, to the opening up 'of valuable elaims. .

It will appear by the preceding statements that the R.aywood division is very extensive, 'and although it is probable that deep leads may exist under the extensive plains of the more northern parts, the north-eastern, eastern, and south-eastern portion is that which at once attracts the gold

52

mining prosp.ector. This portion, lying between the Bendigo and Ballarat creeks, and from the southern , boun?~ry ~o t!:te ';l'hunder Plain~, an area o~ more than ~ne hun~red squar~ miles, possesses the most

promlsmg mdications, and contruns known hnes of reefs Intersectmg SebastIan, Raywood, Glenlynden, Elysian Blat, the Whipstick, Kamarooka, and Philip's Gully workings. It is my conviction that the prmcipal lines of reef on the Bendigo gold fields intersect this portion of the division, and that properly organised prospecting, especially of the low ranges in ,the neighbourhood of the Whipstick and Raywood township, will develope rich resources in tliis comparatively untried division of the gold fields.

MARYBOROUGH MINING DISTRICT.

MARYBORO,IJGH DIVISION.

Mr. D. O'Leary, Mining Surveyor and Registrar.

TlIE POPULATION IS AS FOLLOWS:-

Europeans. Ohlnese. 0 or e Remarks. Division. ;

Tt .. U th I ~.~--- --------,.,

Alluvial Miners ... ... 2,580 1,500 4,080

Quartz Miners ... ... 650 ... 650 --~-.--

Totals ... 3,230 1,500 4,730

I

TlIE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS IS THUS. DISTRIBUTED

Maryllorough, Main Lead, and Blackman's Waterloo Flat and gullies adjoining ... Mosqllito Flat and adjacent reefs ...

150 70

550 250 200 250

Chinaman's and adjacent reefs .... Adelaide Lead and reefs adjoining Alma and BalacIava In different gullies Old Man's Gully and reefs adj~ining ...

Golden Point and its adjacent reefs Havelock Flat and reefs adjoining Majorca, including Gibraltar 1,700

TlIE MAClIINERY IS AS FOLLOWS:-

ALLUVIAL lIfnm<G.

Description of Machine~y. ,

Aggrega,te AtWorl<. Idle.

Steam Engines.

~ , ..

Total

Number Idle. of Stamp

lIea&..

.--

560 350 150 500

" ... 4,730

I Aggrega,te &r_POWtlr or

, Steam Engine •• Horse-power of I At Work.

" - -...... -~~---. ,,~i~~----

Steam Engines, employed in 3 i

263 13 ... ... ... .. . pumping, winding, &c.

Whims ... ... 110 ... ... ... . .. ... ... Puddling Machines' ... 120 185 ... ... ... ... ... Steam Engines, employed ... ... .. . 8 2 170 ' 170 . in pumping, winding,

i crushing, &c. . I I

Total value of all mining plant in the division, £50,500. Number of square miles of auriferous ground which is being, or may have been, actually

worked upon, It. . Number of distinct quartz reefs which have been actually proved to be auriferoua to the present

time, 116. . The price of gold during the quarter ill the division has been from £4 to £4 Is. 6d. per oz.

53

TIlE FOLLOWING INFORMATION' lUS BEEN' OBTAINED RELATIVE-TO THE QUAN~ITY OF QUARTZ AN'D QUARTZ

TAILINGS AND CEMENT CRUSHED DURING THE QUARTER, AND THE GOLp OBTAINED THEREFROM.

"

'Where ~uartZj &c., were Aver~e • Total Yield Remarks relative to th& Name of Company. o tained. Quartz crushed. Yieldor old of Gold. Depth at which th$

per Ton. Quartz W9.ll obtained. #'

ton cwt. qr. oz.dwt. gr. oz. dwt. gr.

Ballarat Company '" Leviathan Reef 2,670 0 0 OIl O. 1,468 10 0 130 feet Penny and Company ... Cleopatra, Alexan- 1,950 0 0 o 14 0 l,365 0 0 70 feet

dra, &c. Greenaway and Wallace Sydney Hill, Blucher's 550 0 0 o 15 0 412 0 0 200 feet Johnston and Sons ... Whitehorse '\ ••. 800 0 0 1 5 0 1,000 0 0 150 feet Houghton and Williams* Frederick's Reef "'1 630 0 0 0 6 0 189 0 0 200 feet Close ReefCompany* ... Williams'Reef, &c. 704 0 0 0 3 6 Ii4 8 0 40 feet Watkins and Companyt Leviathan, Cyclone 200 0 0 0 3 0 ?O 0 0 60 to 130 feet Perseverance t ... North British and Co. 500 0 0 o 10 0 250 0 0 180 feet --1---Totals, Quartz ... 8,004 0 0 ,0 12 Ii 4,829 8.0

Quartz Tailings and ----------- ----Cement.

..·1 Greenaway and Wallace Majorca ... 700 0 0 0 II 0 385 ·0 0 80 feet Johnston and Sons { Ditto ... 200 0 0 0 12 0 120 0 0 80 feet

Tailings ... ... 250 0 0 0 7 0 87 10 0 ---------- ----

Totals,Quartz Tail-1. 1,150 0 0 010 71 592 10 0 ings and Cement , s ... Six weeks crushing. t These crushing maohines can work only occasionally-no wator •

I have the honor to report that: for the quarter, though the alluv;ial miners have considerably decreased, particularly at Majorca, much attention has been paid in different portions' of the division

, to the securing of large areas in leases. Should the applicants be successful in introducing efficient machinery into the division, the deep

and wet ground could be well prospected, which would, doubtless, result in the discovery of some new and valuable leads. .

Puddlers have suffered much from the continued dry weather; oilly those puddling machines whose positions are convenient to some of the pumping engine;:l do some work occasionally.

In the south side of Mosquito Flat, a new reef has heen discovered, not likely to be the con. tinuation of any of the old reefs; it has been traced from the surface, with varied thickness, to a depth of 70 feet, where it is 2 feet thick, and returns an average yield of 2 ozs. per ton.

AMHERST DIVISION.

Mr. 'Charles Cole, Mining Surveyor and Regist1'ar


Europeans. Ob.inese. I Total for the Division.

I-~-

Alluvial Miners 3,050 875

Quartz Miners ... 360

Totals .. ·1 3,410 375

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS IS

Rocky.Flat Mount Greenock Lead Gibraltar (sop.th end) McCullum's Creek Cockatoo Gully Blacksmith's Gully Daisy Hill Flat Mia-mm :Flat Adelaide Lead (south) Kangaroo Flat N uggetty Gully Scandinavian Lead Mysterious Lead Antrim Arms

Total'

3,425

360 --~

3,785

THUS DISTRIBUTED:-

Remarks.

475 560 24.0 225 ' 273 320 285 292 350 435

75 95 62 98

3,785

54

,THE MA.CHINERY IS AS FOLLOWS :-'

ALLrVIAL MINING.

d.". Descript;on of Machioery. " - "--, ,,'

_,._,,_!,_J _' __ "_.,_>_"_'-'-_. ____ AtW~k'l Idle. __ '/- , Number I Aggregate

At Work. Idle. of Stamp Horse-power of Heads. i Steam Engino ••

i---~ .. -I-----

275 Steam Engines, employed in pump-ing, winding, and erushing, &c.

Puddling Machines ... . .. Horse 'Whims .. . Hydraulic Hoses .. . Sluice Boxes ... '"

12 I ,220 . 98

::1 ~.:

3

5 5

3 3 44 101

Total value of mining plant in the division, £25,200. Number of square miles of alluvial ground which is being, or may have been, actually worked

upon, 3. Number of distinct quartz reefs which have been actually proved to be auriferous to the present

time,45. . ' The price of gold during the quarter in the division has been from £3 ISs. 6d. to ,£3 19s. per oz.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS BEEN OBTAINED RELATIVE TO THE QUANTITY OF QUARTZ AND QUARTZ TAILINGS AND CEMENT CRUSHED DURING THE QUARTER, AND THE GOLD OBTAINED

, T:a;EREFROl\~.

I Where Quartz, &c., were

; Average Total Yield of

lWmarks relative to the Name of Company. Quartz crushed. I Yield of GQld Depth at which tho obta.illed. per TOD. G<!ld. Quartz w"" ohta.illed.

.... "-~-.. ~- ! ton cwt. qr.

i oz. dwt. gr. oz. dwt. gr.

,Dana Company ... Dana Reef ... 13 0 0 1 2 9 5:); 32 0 0 70 feet Ellison and Company Dana Reef ... 25 0 0 I 2 0 27 10 0 40 to 50 feet pana Company ... Dana'Reef ... 85 0 0 2 1 121, 176 8 0 65 feet Bet-Bet Company ... Quarterman's Station 25 0 0 2 5 0 56 5 0 20 to 25 feet Cosstick and Company Laura Reef ... 560 0 0 0 6 0 168 0 '0 '135 to 140 feet Germain Company "', I Windermere Reef ... 52 0 0 0 5 0 13 0 0 60 to 85 feet

,10 ------

Total, Quartz 760 0 0 12 10! 473 3 0

Quartz Tailings and (Jemen t crus/led.

Bartlemore ... . " Various places ... 460 0 0 0 7 0 lin 0 0 ------.--~~-- -

Total, Quartz Tail- 460 0 0 0 7 0 161 0 0 ings and Cement

. Price per ton for crushing quartz, from 12s. to 15s. Price per ton for crushing cement, from 9s. to 128. ..

I have the honor to report that little ehange has taken place in mining matters since the last quarter. At Cockatoo a rush, which promises to .be of some importance, has recently set in; prospects of from 10 dwts. to 1 oz. to the load have been obtamed. The population at the present time is about 350.

At Mount Greenock nothing of importance has occurred during the quarter. The dividend paying companies alluded to in my last report are still well satisfied with their weekly dividends.

Nothing of any consequence has occurred at Rocky Flat during the quarter. The ground is yielding fair wages to the majority of the miners.

The late rains have given an impetus to puddling operations; great activity is to he observed in nearly all the shallow workings. . Sluicing is again extensively carried on, and generally with very satisfactory results. .

In quartz mining the principal crushings have taken place from the Dana Reef, near Amherst. The prospectors, two in number, recently obtained from Sil tons 176 ozs. 8 dwts. The lode is about two feet III thickness, and two men can break out 10 tons' of stone in the week.

AVOCA SUBDIVISION.

jlf'l'. Rich. English, Mining Surveyor and Regi~rar.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS IS AS FOLLOWS;-

i Europeans. Chinese. Total for the lWmarks. Subdivision.

.-.---.~.-~ -.-~~-~~.- . ----

Alluvial Miners ... ... 900 600 1,500 , Quartz Miners ... ... 10 ... 10 ,

1---Totals ... 910 600

Avoca Homebush Amphitheatre Mountain Hut Green Hill Creek

.1

THE

.. ~


55

TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS IS THUS DISTR!.BUTED:

, '550 Lamplough 155 No. 1 Creek

.' ':,' ' , 3gg Fiddler) Greek, '(" . I

35

TilE MACHINERY IS AS l'OLLOWS:-"

Total

ALLUVIAL Mn'lllG. QUAJl,TZ M:on:NG.

120 75

185

1,510

1 I Aggregate Ntnnber Aggregate At Work. , Horse·power of At Work. Horse-power of Idle. Idle.

, Steam Engines. of Stamp Heads. Steam ,Engines. ,

-_. _._-,

Steam Engines employed 3 3 141 ... I 8 6 in winding, pumping, ",' ." .... , and crushing

Puddling Machines ... 75 10 ... ... ... ... 1 . .. Crushing Machines ... I I., ... ... 1 8 6 Winding, pumping, &c. 2 2 ... ... ... ...

I . ..

Toms ... .. , .. 25 10 ... ... . .. ... ... ~ .

"

Total value of mining plant in the subdivision, £10,000. N umber of square miles of auriferous ground which is being, or may have been, actually worked

upon, n. . .. . Number of dlstlllct quartz reefs whICh have been actually proved to be aurIferous to the

present time, 7. The price of gold during the quarter in the subdivision has been from £3 148. 6d. to £4 Os. 6d"

per oz.

TlIE FOLLOWING INFOltllIATION lIAS BEEN OBTAINED RELATIVE TO THE QUANTITY OF QUARTZ AND QUARTZ TAILINGS AND CElIIENT CRUSHED DURniG' TIlE QUARTim, AND TlIE GOLD OBTAINED

TlIERE,FROM, I , I ". ",-' ..... ,.-'

Where Quartz, &0., were oblained. Quartz cl1lshed. Total Yield of

of Gold, Remarks relatiye to the Depth at' which the Quartzwasobtalaed,&c.

---·---1---------1------1----- ------I-·--·--~---

. , { Vale's Reef Bosan,ks and Company Township Reef

Fryingpan

... 1

ton cwt. ,<P:. 40 0 0 50 0 0 ,60 0 0

o~ ~~. ri'l ~/~,~. j' 30 feet level. o 4 12: 11 5 0 70 feet leveL

i 0 8 •. O,! ,24, 0 0 40 feet level.

, Q'l1;a~tz Tailings and Cement Crushed,

Bosanksand Company {

---'-'---;-:- ,. '~-"---I

8 I6! 1_ 65 5 0 I

7 0' 31' 10 0 1 Cement. 2' 0 \_30 ~ ___ o I Tailings.

3" Sill 61:10 0

Totals, Quartz ." 15?, 0; ? I- 0

Avoca Lead ... ' 90, 0 0 I·· 0

Avoca River" I ... , 300' '0 0; I' 0

T~tal, Quartz Tail- '1['---;;;--;;-;;- -0 mgs and Cement t

'. " '1'~' . : t! • ,f .. .if ~ •

I have the honor to report that during the' quarter alluvial mining has been steadily prosecuted. Some few weeks ago) was in hopes that, ere thi.s, I shonld have had the pleal:mre of specially reporting the discovery of quite a new gold field in my subdivision; this arose in eonsequence of an application haying b,~ell :madfl/?!:. a p~spe~ti1,lg c.lJt~lJlAQ., alluvial g~c:uud" where tl;l.e ~ep~h pf sinking. w!l:s 100 feet, and 4,rtpn the '~I!11mty of, the Pyreneys, -,and, not far dIstant from the FIddler s, Creek dlggrngs. The prospect reported 'was 7 dwts. to the load, with sanguine expectations that by driving this yield wQuld improve; a desire, I regret to say up to the present time, which has not been realised. The prospectors are still at work in this ground, ,but the dcpth of sinking appears to be quite a bar to others participating in that research. There can be no doubt that ~he gold already obtained at this place is a run from the Fiddler's Creek diggings, which .are 'distant a.bout onQ a.l).d a hlJlf mi,les therefrom; and I should not be surprised if, by persevering, suJcess will yet 'reward this prosp~cting party.

The Avoca Gold Mining Association have washed 602 ozs. of gold durihg the quarter from 3 500 tons of dirt, the whole of which may be considered as coming from prospeeting drives only, and from ground previously worked. I am now of opinion that great dividends from ~his company can ouly be expected when working the new ground (which is of considerable extent) lying west of the shaft between that and the iYIain Adelaide road. , ' , 'Q '

The Homebush leased ground is prol,rressing very slowly towards favorable results; this is principally in conse<J.uence of the very troublesome drift strata met with in deep ground at that plaee. The Star Company, III driving, unexpeqtedly came into some old workings, whicp' greatly retarded operations below for Some time; they, have now overcome the difficulty, and expect to be in paying ground immediately. The Golden Lake Company are erecting their machinery, and will proceed to open out when their plant is complete.

In quartz mining a slight improvement is manifest. Two prospecting claims have been taken up, one at Vale's Reef and the other at the Township (Avoca) Reef; and; although the yields from each, comparatively speaking, are only small, yet, with the low rates o( miuehing and easy transit this yield ,vill give very excellent wages. This branch of mining appears to be rbgarded very unfavorably in this locality, yet I!1JIl convinced thore is a wide field open, here, for. profita:ble investment were systematic appliances brought"to bear, especially in the crushing and amalgama.ti~g process •

• In the. other portions of the subdivision, in neither"branch o£mining have,I,any.change to report.

56

DUNOLLY DIVISION.

Mr. R. J.M cMillan, Mining Surveyor and Rpgistrar.


I

EuroPea.tS• I Chinese. I Total for the

Division.

i Alluvial Miners ... . .. 2,320 400 2,720 QUartz Miners ... ... 540 . .. 540

Totals ... 2,860 400 3,260 I

Dunolly:-THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS IS THUS DISTRIBUTE:£>:

Inkermann and Wattle Flat Old Lead ... W~on's Lead ... ... German Gully and Hard Hills ... Gooseberry Hill rush... ...

Pound rush.. . .. Burnt Creek and Bet-Bet

250 Moliagul 30'" Bealiba 50 Tarnagulla

. 650 Hard Hills and Halfway 300 ' J ones's Creek and Mosquito 230 Cay's ...

Total


Remarks.

.,

250 260 250 350 350 250

40

... 3,260

ALLUVIAL Ml:NING. QU....RTZ MINING.


I At Work. I i ! ,

Aggregate ' Number· Aggregate Idle. : Horse-power of I At Work:. Idle. of Stamp Horse-power of

i Steam Engines. Heads. Steam Engines. .

I--

Steam Engines, employed pump· 6 i7 I

7 22 212 424 ... ing, winding, and crushing i

Whims ... ... ... 16 ... ... I

6 6 ... .. . Puddling Machines ... ... 60 160 .. . ... . .. ... .. .

. Total value of mining plant in the ~vision, £52,000. Number of square miles of auriferous ground which is being, or may have been, actually worked

upon,13!. N umber of distinct quartz reefs which have been actually proved to be auriferous to the

present time, 157. The price of gold during the quarter in the division has been from £3 18s. 6d. to £4 Os. 6d. per oz.

. , THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS BEEN OBTAINED RELATIVE TO THE QUANTITY OF QUARTZ AND

QUARTZ TAILINGS AND CEMENT ORUSHED DUIUNG THE QUARTER; AND THE GO],D OBTAINED

THEREFROM.

Where Quartz, &0., were Yi.td~i~ld Total Yield of Remarks relative to the Name of Company. Quartz crushed. Depth at which tbe obtained. per Ton. Gold. Quartz, &0., were obtained

ton cwt. qr. oz. dwt. gr. oz. dwt. gr.

{ New Chum Reef } John Davies ... - Sandstone Reef 1,430 0 0 o 10 0 715 ,0 0 Maiden llilef'

1 Ironbark llilef t Fraser and Williams' Bowen's llilef 450 0 0 011 6 253 2 12 Wilson's Reef I }

{ Bealiba Reef l

, Arvon Reef D.lU.rk . .... , Monday Morning I 800 0 0 o 10 6 410 0 0

Reef ~ • New Year's Reef

Total, Quartz ... 2,680 0 0 0 10 6j!. 1,378 2 12 Quartz Tailingll and -~--' -~- "~ ...

Cement crushed. ,

GJamorgansbire Co. ... Bealiba ... . .. 2,600 O. 0 0·4 0 520 0 q. Henry Reed ... ... Ditto ... .. . 320 0 0 0 4 0 64 0 0 D. Kirk ... ... Burnt Creek ... 900 0 0 0 3 6 146 5 0

Total, Quartz Tail- } ings and Cement 3,820 0 0 0 3 19! 730 5 0

57

During the quarter alluvial mining has steadily progressed at Gooseberry Jfill and the Pound rush (both near Dunolly township), the tendency of the former is to form a junction' with the lower end of Dunolly main lead, from which it is now only a few chains distant; it also, from:appearance, is winding up the hill on which A. Anderson and party's mineral lease is situate, as claims have been marked out up to the boundary of the leased ground. The Pound rush will probably maintain it~ present population for a considerable time; it is situate chiefly in private property, and I can say that the terms generally, between the proprietors and the miners, have given uniform satisfaction to the mip.ers themselves.

A rush to the Hard Hills, at Tarnagulla, took place about two months since; it continues to pay to a moderate extent, and at present employs 150 miners; there are about 30 panng claims on it.

With the above exceptions I have no change to report in alluvial mining, as rain in sufficient quantity has not fallen to fill the water dams in the outlying leads and gullies; this branch of alluvial mining is therefore nearly at a standstill.

In quartz mining only a few of the numerous machines in the division have been at work, and these only partially so, solely in consequence of the want of water. There is' plenty of stone to~be crushed, and much more getting ready, but water is the only want.

KORONG DIVISION.

Mr. J. S. Robertson, Mining Surveyor and Registrar.

THE TOTAL NU~BE& OF MINERS IS AS FOLLOWS;-

Europeans. r Chinese. TotaJ. for the Division.

Alluvial Miners ... ... 1,050 500 1,550

Quartz Miners ... ... 950 . .. 950

Totals ... 2,000 500 I 2,500

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS IS THUS DISTRIBUTED

New Inglewood Old Inglewood Korong Jericho Kingower McIntyre's Sinnott's Bourke's Flat ... Caledonian Flat Loddon and Kingarra

Total

THE MACHINERY IS' AS FOLLOWS;-

Remarkll.

1,250 50

425 50

350 15 10

·70 60

220

2,500

ALLUVIAL MINISG. QuAi'l.'Z MINING.

- . .. _ .... _-_. Description of Machinery.

At wor~.1 ' Number I ~te Aggregate At Work. Idle. Idle. Horse·power of of Stamp HorBe.~ of

Steam EDgines. Hea.da. Steam . es.

-"." I-i Steam Engines employed pumping ... .., ... 4 2 ... 90

Steam Engines employed crushing ... ... ... 11 4 147 210

Whims ... ... . .. 1 ... ... 24 1 . .. .. . Whips 20 5 Q ... ... ... ... ... .. . .. . .. . Puddling Macbines ... ... 50 45 ... .. . ... ... . ..

Total value of mining plant in the division, £30,000. Number of square miles of alluvial ground which is being, or may have been, actually worked

upon,30. , : Number of distinct quartz reefs which have been actually proved to. be aurifer01l8 to the present

time, 140. .

The price of gold during the quarter in the division has been from £3 178. 6d. to £3 18s. 69,. ~~ ,

No. 69, g.

. \

58

TlI~~ ll:QI;I;OWI.NG"IN~10~M:~TI,~1!,. f!:AS,,"BEENJ·,9:JlT+I~E,]:!;'l .• ~I!.!,"T~"y;E,., TPi{,~lf?! ,> Qll'AN,t;~~1, .;?riQUA:aTZ "0.',; :'.' f){: CRUSB'ED~iD:URING.I~TlI~,'QUA.BT.:rcR,,~j:i,P.1 TlI~ tG\?LD,:·.I6B'J:'-H~ERq1:f,I;ri~~,~R8~: ;111 [_ 'u ddod)

~ 1\.,' . • ••

Duke. of Cornwall Lady Darling,. March Reef ... Thompson's Gully... , Victoria COmpany" .!.' do,

Prince Albert ": •. Granite Company Sutton's ....

II·~· :. i L. ,

ton ewt. qr. 309 0 0 '965 0.0 323 0" 0 486 0 0

" •. :" :", 675 "0 0, '.1,500 0, 0

•• '. '''. 'I. 1-,564 0 '. 0 300 0 0

oz, dwt: gr,

o ~ 151'3 o· 8 2 0' 7 '16 o 0"13 ·0' 8 5 o 9 4 , .0: G'1-9il o 5 0

oz. dwt, gr.

102 8 3 390 0 ci' 123 16 8

. ·158-19' 6 277.'0 15 " 687 10 0 500 0.0 75 0 0

.Tgtal, .Qulirtz 6,122 0 0 0 7 l3~ 2,314 14 8

1,1\"

• Iff 'i.

The district for the quarter has been unusually dull as far as mining matters are concerned. This is accounted for by the fact of a great many miners being employed by the companies now

in course of formati<!n,for .th~ construction of their machinery and ,other plant. . Inglewood Quartz Reefs have not yieided, durmg this quarte'r, so· much on an average as they did

last quarter. .

The alluvial digging in .the district is almost at a stand still, owing to the want of water, and at the present time there seems' very little prospect of a supply. - ,.

At Korong mining matters are brislter,'owing·to the';men who took up the prospect'claim(after" !he prospectors had,abandoned it) disoovering"a lumg,~.f, pur!l g!llg"l.,l,lbs, troy weight. This, of course, mduced a great many to try in the vicinity, and I have .Ileara witli very tolerable success.

At Kingower, for the months of April and May, I have nothing specially to rep()rt, but-at· theend of' the latter month Dunmore! and';party took up a claim, n,ear the cemetery at Kin~ower" alld. discovered at a depth of 30 feet a stratum,., of gravel, which yielded some nuggets the size of a pea; on' driving they found a nugget 11 oz. in 'weight. There are now working on this ground. about 150,) persons.

. ,The Jericho gold fields are npt yi!3ldiI),g much,,\with jth~,~;\epti,on of the G:r~ite Company and Burke s Flat Crushmg. The machine returns are nil, .

The want of rain is being severely felt, and in consequence the puddlers have' notbeen"able-toT-'

continue work. ..... . : I, '1 I '~'" :'1

I '. ~. . ..

..,

REl?~ANK AND ST. ARNAUD .SOUTH SUBD~~IONS.

M'!. William Byrne, Minilng Surveyor and Registrar. '., I

.1"1;f!"t.T M N'fJl:. ·111 •. , TlIE TOTAL NU¥BER OF 'MINERS"ise is ,FOLLOWS:-

"~:.,"~;"~'" .. 11'-' , , ". .~ ... ,,: , . ,~. -, , JJ:n "EUr~~.;t ~,~pAiii~~~. : "Total for.tho'i I ,:. ,_,t "!U"';'d"~ ,~1J1A.l.d. Sub<1iviaiOIlJ!,

-- :- .. I I

AlluviafMiners :

R I

.. 680 20 700 .. " l~ .. .~, , ' " ,f

Quartz Miners ·r" .. 21>0 250

~

( , ,f . r • ,t~ ; '.

'If,I',! .

Totals .j .j' 930 20 950 , ...

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS IS THUS -DISTRIBUTED ',} ,,' • t:- 'rF. " " I. tr r·,· .. ,

Redbank .. ., , 250 Forest Hut .. : 30 Stuart Mill ... ... '. Hines '"

Donkey: HilL,.'. ~I;'" :'.-.171. ,[ ":';"",:, , Moonambel ...

:.> •• 40, ." (', D. ar.Iin.··.g ]j .. ~lat: .. , ••. ,. "., .... , .. ,.... I ...• • - < n ~ •• 1 1 . .. '." 1': -. ! '. 'f ,r HI" i~

60 ~merald.Flat, l ::1."'" ": ",.,[, , ,.1 '~"i VictOria; and adjoining gullies ... '"i~''' Total f

"" ., I

.!£ ' 950,

59

T'HE MACHINERY IS AS FOLLOWS:-

.. "-'::":""'- ..... ~-~ .. ~ ...... ~ -~, .. ALLUVIAL :M:nmlG. QUARTZ MINING. "-

Description of Mlloblnery. Aggregate Number . Aggregate

" At Work. Idle. Horse-power of At Work. Idle. of Stamp f~~~~~: Steam Engines. Heads.

--- --- ------Puddling Machines ... ... 10 6 . ..

i

... ... ... . .. Whims . ,. ... ... ... ... ... 1 3 .. . ... Steam Engines, edinpump" ' 1 .. ~ . 10

I 2 2 26 65

.

Total value of mining plant' in the subdivisions, £1,150. Number of square miles of auriferous ground :which is being, or ~ay have been, actually worked

upon,91· , ' Number of distinct quartz 'reefs which have been actually proved to be auriferous to the present

time, 23. The price of gold during .the quarter in.; the ,subdivi~ions has been from £3 17s. 6d. to

£3 18s. 6d. per oz. ' .

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS BEEN OBTAINED' RELATIVE TO THE QUANTITY OF QUARTZ CRUSHED DURING THE QUARTER, AND THE GOLD OBTAINRD THEREFROM.

l.,'" ,.,i'l- , . ' , , . .. i' , . ... I':r ! ',. t',~ ., *"

Where Quartz was

I Yi~~~~ld Total Yield of Remarks rela.tive to the

Name of Oompany. Qua:rtz crusbed. Depth at which the obtained. per Ton. G<lld. Qua:rtz W&l! obtained.

South: ton ewt. qr. oz. dwt. gr. oz. dwt. gr.

PJTenees Quartz Crush- 12 and 13 85 0 0 o 16 llil 70 0 0 ing Company .. , PJTenees Reef

Ditto ... ... ... Brighthelmstone 14 0 0 1 12 203 23. 0 0 Reef I

49 10 I 0 Ditto ... ... ... 10 and 11 South 3 12 17, 180 0 0 Pyrenees Reef

Ditto ... ... . .. Perseverance Reef, .. 10 0 0 o 10 7! 5 '3 0 Ditto ... ... . .. 12 and 13 South 24 0 0 1 7 2 32 10 0

Pyrenees Reef ------ ---------

Total, Quartz 182 10 0 1 14 ItrJ ,310 1'3 0

. Very little has been done in alluvial mining lately, in consequence of the I Bcarcity of water in these subdivisions. This applies more especially to Victoria Gully and the other gullies situated between Hinds and Stuart Mill, where the gold is extracted principally by slu,icing. In quartz 'Illining, although the returns have not been so large as usual lately, I consider that the reefs in this locality are now in a more promising state than they have been for a very long period. On the Pyrenees reef the new pumping and crushing machinery will shortly be completed. I

Leases have been applied for on the Pyrenees, Richmond, and Slaughterjard Reefs.

ST. ARNAUD NORTH SUBDIVISION.

Mr. John Phillips, Mining Surveyor and Registrar.


Europeans. Obineae. Total for the Remarks. Subdivision. -, ..

Alln vial Miners ... 438 157 595 ,-... Quartz Miners ... ... 168 . .. 168

Totals ... 606 157 763 .,'

60

THE TOTAL N,uMBER OF MIXERS IS THUS DISTRIBUTED:-

Butcher's and McCredie's Engines Armenian Gully ... . .. Bald Hills Banshee Brigg'g Hill Bell's Hill Chrysolite Dogbury Carapooee .. . Scrub Rush .. . Douglas Hill Wier's Hill Emu ... J3link Bonny :&eef Switzer's Gully :\Freiberg Company's Fr.enchman's Hill 'Gap Gully ... .Geyer's Gully

9· 20 6

14 18 4

13 24 7 6

21 4

16 16 24 18 10 24 4

Greenock Reef Karney's ... Master's Claim New Bendigo Peters's .. . Tunnel Hill .. . Warwiokshire Reef Wilson's Gully Rimmer's Lease ... Rostron's and Higgins's Rostron's Diggings ... Silver Mining Assooiation Sawpit'Gully and Reef Sanderske's Lease : .. St. Arnaud United Spinster Reef S.alter's Hill ...

Total

18 3 4

U8 250

6 4

20 6 5

19 18

4 6

11 2

11

763

THE MAOHINERY IS AS FOLLOwS:-

ALLuvLu. MINING. QUA.lITZ lIfINI:NG.

1

Description of Maohinol'J'.

At Work. I Idle. Aggregate I Number Horse-power of At Work. Idle. of Stamp Steam Engines. Hew.

-----

Aggregate HOnJe.ol1"werof

Steam lJ:Dgines.

Steam Engines ... . .. Balfour's Pulverizer. . .. Appleton's Stone-brea.ker .. . Whims .... .. Chman Mills ... .. . Puddling Machines .. . Races and Sluices .. .

... , 6

"1

, *10 *4

to

• Idle, for want of water.

'1 1

14 5

1 3

70 =8

106

Total value of mining plant in the division (Wilson'S Hill lot lately sold and taken away)~ £17,900. .

Number of square 'miles of auriferous ground whioh is being, or may have been, aotually worked upon, 51. •

. Number of distinot quartz reefs whioh have been actually proved to be auriferous to the present time, 46.

The price of gold during the quarter ·in the subdivision has been from £3 to £4 per oz. for

quartz gold, and £3 19s~ to £4 Is. for alluvial .

• THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS BEEN OBTAINED RELATIVE TO THE Q,([ANTITY OF QUARTZ AND

QU~RTZ TAILINGS AND CEMENT CRUSHED DURING- THE QUARTER, AND THE GOLD OBTAINED

THEREFROM.

N ameo m obtain~ .. , i I Gold. QuartzwaeobtWned,&c. per Ton.

i . . -~ ---_.

~

!

Sundry small lots I ton ewt. qr. oz. dwt. gr. oz. dwt_ gr.

Messrs. Butcher and Co. 538 15 0 o 15 Ol 404 9 O. A little above· and public crushing . from various parts i below 100 feet.

Chrysolite Co., for self Ditto ... ... 1,043 14 0 o 13 0 6'18 8 0 From 200 up to 50

and others feet. F~ciberg Co., for self Ditto ... ... 593 15 0 0 6 13! 195 o 22 From 150 up to 80

and.others feet. Crushed at Stuart :Mill Greenock and Spin- 89 0 0 o 16 I 71 8 12 About 150 feet

ster Reefs mos~ly .. ----

Tota.l, Quartz ... 2,265 4 0 o II 22 1,349 610 ,

--The Silver Mining Association from 274 tons 16 ewt. had 868 ozs. of mixed metal, gold and silver.

" .

6l

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS BEEN OBTAINED .RELATIVE TO THE QUANTITY OF QUARTZ AND QUARTZ 'fAILINGS AND CEMENT CRUSHED DURING THE QUARTER, AND THE GOLD OBTAINED THEREFROM-continued.

Where Quartz, &0., Were I AV_~ Total Yield of lWmarkB relative to the Name of Company. Quartz cruahed. Yield of Id Depth at which the

obtained. Gold. QuartzW8l!obtained,&e. per ton.

ton cwt. qr. oz. dwt. gr. , oz. dwt. gr. Quartz Tailing8 and

Cement Crushed. Williams's public crush- Cement from the 208 0 0 0 9 0 93 12 0

neigh boring hills ing engine at Peters'R McCredie's machine, ... ... . .. 390 0 0 0 2 16 52 0 0 2nd working.

public crushing -----

Total, Quartz Tail- } ings and Cement 598 0 0 o ,4 20t¥, 145 12 0

The quartz miners here, chiefly tl'ibuters, are well satisfied with their doings on the whole; and • they are working leased ground, whiCh but for their knowledge and courage would be untouched.

There is a newl found olden reef, about six miles north of St. Arnaud township, named Blink Bonny, the speci and its appearance generally. are good and promising; there are several claims on it fu'st thing the workers of this reef should do is to make a dam for a machine, and a it for their domestic use; for, throughout the year, this is a com· paratively dry part of the country.

Some of the other parts of the subdivision, known to have gold/payable for sluicing and puddling, are still locked up by drought.

CASTLEMAINE MINING DISTRICT.

CASTLEMAINE DIVISION,

M'l'. Thomas L; Brown, j! in,ing Surveyor- and Registrar.

THE POPULATION IS AS FOLLOWS;-

European •. Chinese. Total for Remarks. the Dirlsion,

Alluvial Miners ... ... 1,025 1,430 2,455

Quartz Miners ... ... 436 . .. 436 ----- ~---

Total ... 1,461 1,430 2,891

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS IS THUS 'DISTRIBUTED:-

Golden Point Chew ton Moonlight Flat Little Bendigo Castlemaine Barker's Creek

Deseription of Machinery.

Steam Engines ... Crushing Mac,rines Puddling Mills ...

...

...

...

260 Cobaw .. . 540 M uckleford .. . 287 Campbell's Creek ... 185 Strathloddon and Guildford 170 190 Total

THE MACHINERY IS AS FOLLOWS;-

ALLUVIAL ?tIINING. QUAltTZ MINING.

N tUllber of I Aggregate At Work. Idle. At Work. Idle. Number of Stomp Heads. Horse·pow~r of Stamp Heads. Steam Engines. ---

3 3

~ . ( 96 19 8

f 1 2 1 18

1. , .. 19 I 8 286

160 98 ... . .. I

...

21 76

652 510

2891

Aggregate Horse-power of Steam Engines.

464

...

. ..

Total value of all mining plant in the division, £68,000. N um bel' of square miles of auriferous ground which is being, or may have been, actually worked

upon,9. . Number of distinct quartz reefs which have been actually proved to be auriferous to the present

time, 89. The price of gold during the quarter in the division has been from £3 15s. 3d, to £3 17s, 6d. per o~.

:~';_:THE ·.F()LItOWn1G,.INFOI!lf~TI~.N ,HAS BEEN OBTAINED RELATIVE TO THE QUA.NTITY OF QUA.RTZ

• CRUSHED DURING THE QUARTER, AND THE GOLD OBTAII-:ED THEREFROM. -. --

~";.:. w'f . , Where Qu..rtz was RA3~ks relative t~ the " J! Jl:t:<:allit;!)f.C~mp.any.- ;~IJ' ,II. ;

') '"Quartz' crushed, Yi;J~fti.~ld ·-Tot3J. Yield " " , obtained. ' . of Gold. ,Depth at which the

per TOil. QUll.rtz was obtained, &te. _ .. -~ -.~-

~"_. ______ J_

ton ewt. qr. oz. dwt. gr. Oz. dwt. gr. Lewis and Company ... Nimrod Reef ... 90 0 0 o !i I8~ 80 0 0 Bowan ... . ... Ditto ... ... 80 0 0 o 10 8T~ 41 9 0 Salmon and Company Burn's Reef '" 155 0 0 I 14 I q 207 .2 0 McWaters ~nd,IJovel... Ditto ... ... 172. 0 0 0 4 161 40 7 12 Spencer ". . .. I,eicestershire Reef 126 0 0 0 6 13~ 41 7 12 IJogan ... ... Argus Hill ... 191 0 0 0 9 12i 90 15 12 Russell ... ... Ditto ... .. . 159 0 0 0 2 o;t 15 19 18 Powell ... . .. Chewton Reef ... 55 0 0 6 7 15 '" 351 0 0 Vulcan Company ... Old Quartz Hill ... 61 0 0 o 8 llXI .. 25 16 4 Small .... ) Hard Hill 35 0 0 o 10 4*i 17 16.20 ... Walker and Company I Manchester Reltf ... ll6 0 0 0 3 12 20 6 0 Ditto '" ... Watt.le Gully ... 437 0 0 0 4 lSi 102 13 0 Martin and Company Ditto'... . .. 213 0 0 0 3 14~ 38 9 0 :l\fcIn tosh ... . .. Vineyard Reef ... 121 0 0 o 18 20i 114 1 0 Tullock and others Ditto ... ... III 0 0 o ]0 lOi 74 12 0 Robertson and others ... Ditto ... . .. 219 0 0 o 7 2M: 77 18 18 Hocking and Bennett's Sth. American Reef 167 0 0 0 4 7 35 15 0 Ajax Company ... Bolivia Reef ... 1,88] 0 0 0 2 loti 228 5 20 Streade and Company Sebastopol Reef ... 468 0 0 0 4 7i 100 19 0 Lewis and Company ... Ditto '" '" 230 0 0 0 8 I3! 98 10 0 Schell and others '" Fiddler's Beef ... 117 0 0 o 12 ll,\ 72 18 0 Babcock. ... ... Black Monday Reef 75 0 0 0 9 11~ 35 11 12 New Heef, Golden

- Point Trevorah ... ... Hacehorse ... 28 0 0

I 0 7 13~ 10 12 0 New Reef. Race-

James Town Heef horse Gully ... ... ... 55 0 0 0 17 14ft 48 9 14

Moscrip ... . .. Boli via Reef ... 236 0 0 2 9 8jj! 582 10 0 Lloyd and others ... 11 various reefs .., 341 0 0 0 6 6 106 9 12

Total, Quartz I 5,939 0 0 0 9. 3! 12,71,9 14 10 I There have been no returns from cement or tailings during the quarter, the,machinery being idle,

and the returns from quartz reefs are far below the average quantity, no rain having yet fallen to give any appreciable supply. Frol)l the same cause our alluvial workings continue almost abandoned, the difficulty in obtaining a very inefficient supply of water rendering this branch of mining unprofitaOle, and the long drought driving .men to seek a subsistence elsewhere.

'In mining machinery changes have taken place during tbe quarter. The two superior plants erected by the Eurek:t Company, and another known as the White Bill Company's have been sold and li:\mo;ved from the division; new machinery, however, is in course of erection. Upon the Castlelllaine Deep L,ead Company's ground It 25 horse-power engine, with pumping and other gear, is being erected. Their snaft is now down 231 feet, and tenders have just been received for driving a level thence .to the gutter. The Young Prince Company's m<tchinery, comprisibll: a 12 horse-power engine, with appliances for pumping and sluicing, is erected and will be working in about a fortnight. 'l'he Aberdeen Company are progressing in erecting another 12 horse-power engine' for pumping and sluicing, and the Pioneer Company's machinery and preliminary operations are nearly completed. Several other companies in the immediate

'vicinity, as the Guildford, the Argus, the Standard, the Lion, &c., &c., are preparing for work, having the advantage of the four engines abovenamed. .

~! Higher up 'upon the Mnckleford' Creek, the Muckleford'Enterprise Company have struck the bed-rock at a depth of 118 feet, the rock dipping at an angle of about 45 degrees, carrying a great depth of drift of a very promising character; the shaft is being sunk ill the rock, the gutter to be reached by levels. The Muckleford Great Extended have proved their ground in seve'ral places to be over 80 feet in depth, but the quantity of drift and ,water prevent their going deeper wit.hout the aid of machinery.

The saIDe remarks will apply to the South Muckleford and other companies ill this extensive valley, rendering still prospect,ive the much desirable proofs of rich auriferous deposits. . .

Since my last report. I have traversed the north-castel'll portion of my division, now known as Cobaw, on the .Myrtle Creek. Some portions of that locality resemble Forest. Creek, viz., schistose ranges traversed witfi quartz reefs. In some of the,g~llies considerable work has been done, and gold

.. / obtained. Several parties of miners are rfow settled. there with their'wil1ter's supplies, awaiting a supply 'of water. The gold varies in its character in 'the difierent gullies from much waterworn to rough quartz gold.

Thc ground so far as prospected is of an al'gillacious nature, shallow, and resting upon 11

soft slate or sandstone bed·rock. '1'h1'ee quartz reefs ha.ve been working, the quartz ):laving, ,t,o, :be carted to Axe Creek for crushing j the yields reported would pay handsomely with machinery: on the ground. <

Quartz lVIining.-In cOllsequence of the stoppage of th1e Nuggetty Company's,,,JI)achinery, the adjoining claimholdcrs are flooded out; no other provision being made for dr~ining the reef, work is suspended. .

The Cumberland machinery is about to be reworked by a new company, the South Ajax.

j: The Bolivia Company continu,e ari~ing cross-cuts to the west at a depth of 270 fe~t,. an~, ~xcellellt leaders are now met with. The Ajax mille has been closed for the past three weeks; It IS agalll let 011

'tribute to the party who so successfully worked it before.

63

In Barker's Creek, quartz as well as alluvial mining is at a standstill. t _ • In Chewton ~r Forest Creek a large number of reefs continue to be wo'rked. The White Horse

Company have commenced crushing, and have cleared to a reef 20 feet wide. Two new,cl!!.ims have been op.erred, which yield .about half an ounce. per ton .... The best yields for thequarteih!!-ve been, from Chcwton Reef, 35~ oz. from 55 tons; from Burns Reef, 267 oz. from 155 tons; and from Bolivia. 236 tons yielding 51$21 :oz. 'of gold. . '"

FRYER'S CREEK SUBDIVISION.

Mr. R. L. JJf. Kitto, 'Mining Surveyor and Regwtra,r:


Total for the Europeans.

I Chinese. SubdiviHion, Bema.rlm.

Alluvial Miners ... ••• 1 1.527· 1,551 ! 3,078 " .. Quartz ?vliners ... .. , ... 154 ... 154

: .,

Totals : 3,232 . ' , ' . ... 1,681 1,551

. ,

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS IS THUS ·DISTRIBUTED:......!:

Specimen tIill and vicinity: Blacksmith's Gully, .. : ,'; '. ".. ,. Spring Gully .. ' Church's Flat ", ,;, Belle Vue ... Murdering Flat .; .. , Fryerstown '.. . , .. German and :Mopoke .guJlie~ ... , Strathloddon and Guildford , .. New Year's Flat ~nd Bald Hill

64 Loddon Valley ... ,28 Q'arilta andShicer Gully 149 Vaughan, &c. ... 85·Glenluce .. , ... 67, Hard Hills .,'

.• I 91, Sailor's Gully, &C. ... '1 286· 'Pickpocket and Loddon

.136 ' <Holcombe:and vicinity 2G3 218 ,'> '; ,1.1

THE .MACHINERY IS AS FOLLOWS :-

. Total

342 236 407 16G' 111 69

368 :.1117

3,232

____________ ~ __ --~~==~----~-----==---~~~--------~--======~~J A~rrnl~AI.s' Mll?ID1lG' 1 ___ .--_Q __ U_All;.".T_, Z_:M:rNn<_, __ G-:-. ___ ~-,.

Description of Machinery, Aggr;;gate ! Number Aggregate At Work.

Steam ~ne.,' Heads, Stea.m EngInes. Idle. Horse.!!!'wer of ., At Work. 'Idle.' of Stamp Horae-!!!'wer ot

----------1----1- ._-----1----1-----

Steam Engines, washing,crush- 9 88- 1'59--" '--'---jng cement, and pumping

Horse Puddling Machines 151 85 Whims 6 2 ... 1";' . '" Whips 20 4:' i ... Horse Pumps 69 6 Sluices and Toms 50 61 Water Wheels ... 2 4 Steam Engines - 7 62 101 Whims ... ~ ... 2 2 Whips '.' .... , ~.2 . .. ,W '- ~Vln"''T''· IH . -

, ,T9,tal value of.m~n:ing,plant.in the subdivision, £47,2QO.

2N8~mber of s,quare mil~s of lturiferous ground which is being, or may have been, actually worked upon, 4'

. Number of distinc~ gt1!irtz reefs which have been actually. proved to be auriferous to the present tlme,2G. . -

'J'he price.of gold.dllring tne' quarter in the subdivision has been from £3 1GB. 3d. to £318s, per OZ, '

i. 64

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS ~EEN OBTAINED RELATIVE TO THE ,QUANTITY OF QUARTZ AND QUARTZ TAILINGS AND CEMENT CRUSHED DURING THE QUARTER, AND THE GOLD OBTAINED THEREFROM.

- Yi.,td';,"r~~ld ' Remarks relotive to th Name of Company. Where Quartz, &c., were Quartz c:rnahed. Total Yield of Depth at which th obtained. p~rton. GaM. Quart., &c., were 0

tamed.

ton owt. qr. oz. dwt ll1'. oz. dwt. gr.

Alliance Company ... Spanish and Cornish 4 10 0 1 16 0 8 2 0 Over 100 feet Reef

Ditto Frenchman's Reef ... 6 10 0 0 7 16t 2 10 0 50 feet Cattle ~d COl'~~any ::: Cattle's Heef ... 300 0 0 0 6 0 90 0 0 30 feet Duke of Cornwall Co. Ditto B' ... 10! 0 0 0 5 0 25 5 0 Ditto, Rowe and Company ... Ferron's Reef ... 250 0 0 0 3 18~ 47 3 0 Various depths Ditto ... '" ... Public crushing ... 458 0 0 0 II 21 ~ 272 2 0 Ditto Hand of Friendship Co. Emu Reef ... ... 503 0 0 0 2 19 70 5 0 Ditto Croosus Company '" Irish Reef ... ... 150 0 0 0 3 8 25 0 0 80 feet Ditto... ... ... Public crushing ... 100 0 0 0 9 0 45 0 0 Various depths Heath and Company ... Bullock's Reef ... 48 0 0 o 16 2 38 12 0 110 feet Meyer and Company ... Ditto ... ... 325 0 0 o 15 243 IS 0 170 feet Rowland ... ... Bristol Reef .. . 48 0 0 o 11 28 10 18 75 feet

Total, Quartz ... 2,294 0 0 0 7 19t 896 7 18 Quartz Tailings and . Cement crushed.

Sir H. Barkly Company Strathloddo.n ... 975 0 0 1 0 0 975' 0 0 120 to 190 fee William Tell Company Ditto ... . .. 2,210 0 0 0 9 0 994 10 0 Tunnel Table Hill Company ... Table Hill ... ... 6aO 0 0 O. 2 81 76 7 12 Ditto Jenkins and Company Ditto ... ... 780 0 0 0 8 0 312. 0 0 Ditto Adgers and Company ... Ditto ... ... 520 0 0 0 5 0 130 0 0 Ditto Thomas and Company Butcher's Hill ... 1,200 0 0 0 5 0 300 0 0 Ditto

Total, Quartz Tail- } ings and Cement 6,335 0 0 17 12

I have the honor to report an increase of activity, and consequent remuneration, in mining operations within my subdivision, during the quarter; but the want of an adequate supply of water, in Bome portions of it 18 still sever!'ly felt.. .

The puddlers who are able to work have generally made fair wages, and· good yields have been obtained from sluicing.

The tUilnels in the banks of the Loddon, near Stlathloddon and Guildford, and at Tarilta, have generally yielded well, and in some instances the return has been very good. H. Rowe and Co. (Vaughan Company), at. Kangaroo Hill, after much unproductive labor, have struck cement which promises well, and in other claims there has been a decided improvement. The Alpha Company, at . trathloddon, have obtained such prospects as to induce them to erect an engine of twe rae-

power, with a battery of twelve stampers, which will be put in op~ration in a few days. orado Company, near Guildford, has been as successful as usual. A Chinese party are about to erect a small engine to drain their· claim, in the same vicinity. • . The returns from quartz reefs have improved. Several claims ·in Golden Gully are turning out

nch stone. One,stone from Heron's Reef was fOUild to contain 28 ozs. of gold; and another, from Cattle's claim on Cattle's Reef, 7,ozs. The Duke of Cornwall Company have not yet been able to

, reduce the water so as to work the main reef, and the result of their cruBhing thus far is, therefore, no criterion of the value of their claim. The Hand of Fricndship Company, Emu Reef, have suspended operations, for ~he purpose of making some alteration in. th~ share list, and other impr?vemen,ts.

Avery rICh leader of quartz has been struek, wrthlll the last few days, at HIt-or-MIss Gully, near Vaughan, and some splendid specimens of gold, in lumps from 1 dwt. to several ounces, turned out. N one of the stone has been crushed as yet,. but specimens to the value of £50 have been sold. A number of these were shown to me on 1\fonda;v last, which were obtained in the forenoon of that

ay, and I should say they contain from four to five ounces of the precious metal. .

HEPBURN DIVISION.

Mr. Ambrose Johnson, Mining Surveyor and Registrar.

. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS 'IS AS FOLLOWS:-

I EurQ1lll8JlB. Chinese.

I . Total for the Division. . Remarks •

Alluvial Miners ... ... 5:245 750 5,995

Qua.rtz Miners ... ... 820 ...

I

820

Tota.ls 6,065 750 6,815 ( ... ...

t

65

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS I.B ~HUS" DISTRIBUTEDi:-

Pickpocket Forty-foot Boots Gully Brandy-hot Blind Creek Sailor:s and Jiin Crow Creek Deep Creek " Stony Creek Wombat Creek

286 176 422 276 268 808 590 470 710

Connell's Gully Dry Diggings Spring Creek Doctor's Gully Daylesford and' Glenlyqn Womba~

Total


~ ",

\

277 434 512 406 780 400

••• 6,815

Descriptien of Machinery.

~ __ A_LL_1JY_IA_L_,MI",_NDi __ (}_. ___ 1_ __.,--_Q_U_AR_TZ_MIN_IN_G_. ____ _

: Aggregate Number! Aggregate Idle. HQl'Ile-I'OweT of' At Work. ~dle. of Stamp ! Hor,",.lj;l;,~'i or

Steam Ji,'ngines. Heads. Steam 'ea. At Work.

i

Steam Engines, employed in pumping, winding, puddling. &c.

Steam Engines, employed in pump-ing. winding, crushing, &c.

Crushing Machines (water~power) Whims .•• ... . •• Horse Puddling Mills .. . . ..

" 17

34 120

6

I 18 I no

T

593

Totru value of mining plant in the division, £75,730. ,

... 16

1 46 ...

I ... 14

2

. .. .. . 274 506

22 I ... t2 ... ... '" ' .. ...

i

Number of square miles of auriferous ground which is being, or may have been, actually worked upon, 49. " . .

Number of distinct' quartz reefs which have beeri actually proved! to" be auriferous to the present time, 82.

The price of gold during the quarter in the divi~ion has been from £3 16s. to £3 18s. 3d, per oz •.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS BEEN OBTAINED RELATIVE TO THE QUANTITY OF QUARTZ AND QUARTZ TAILINOS AND CEMENT CRUSHED DURINO THE QUARTER, AND THE GOLD OBTAINED THEREFROM.

-. Average Remarks relathe to the Name of Company. Where Quartz, &c., were i Quartz crushed. Yield of Gold Total Yield of Depth at 'Which the obtained. per Ton. Gold. Quartz was obtained.

, , , ,

ton 'ewt. qr. oz. dwt. gr. dwt. gr. oz.

Nuggetty Quartz Min- N uggetty Reef ... 2,109 0 0 0 4 7 452 11 0 ing Company

Specimen Hill 3,000 Specimen Hill Quartz ... 0 0 0 5 0 750 0 0 110 to 120 feet Mining Company

Alliance Quartz Mining Mauritius Reef ... 940 0 0 0 6 0 282 0 0 80 feet Company

William Tell Quartz Federal Reef ... 720 0 0 1 10 0 1,080: 0 0 100 feet Mining Company

700 Jenkins' Mill ... Various localities .. 0 0 1 0 0 700 0 0 Cornish Quartz Min- Ditto ... ... 1,300 0 0 1 '0 0 1,300 0 0

ing Company Dannevirke Quartz Adelaide Reef ... 470 0 0 1 10 0 705 0 0 238 feet

Mining Company 0 Wilson and Company ... Italian Hill ... 150 0 0 0 5 o· 37' 10' 60 feet

Howe's Mill ... ... Daylesford '" 412 0 0 0 5 0 103 0 0

Lucini a.nd Company ... Doctor's Reef ... 750 0 0 0 15 0 562 10 0 Sir Chas. Darling ... Various localities .. _ S20 0 0 0 15 0 615 0 0 Prince of Wales Quartz Glamorganshire Reef 250 0 0 2 to O· 625 0 0 120 feet

Mining Company Christmas Reef Morrison and Company ... 50 0 0 0 10 0 25. 0 0 I 80 feet

Fearnot United Quartz Camp street· ... 520 0 0 0 6 0 156 0 0 i 190 feet Mining Company

Chance Quartz Mining Chance Reef ... 500 0 0 0 5 0 125 0 0 Company

Old Adam's Reef Robson and Company ... .,. 30 0 0 1 10 0 45, 0 0 60 feet

Total, Quartz '" 12,721 0 0 o 11 - 21i 7,563 11 0

Quartz Tailings and Cel1!ent crushed.

'. . Cornish. Mill ... ... Township Lead ... 720 0 0 0 6 0 216., 0 0 Victoria Mill ... Ditto ... . .. 500 0 0 0 6 0 150' 0 0 Howe's Mill .. ... Ditto ... . .. 240 0 0' 0 5 0 60, 0" 0 Morrison ... ... Pickpocket ... SOO 0 0 o 15 o· 600 0 0

Total, Quartz Tail- } ~ .... ----~ ..... - 1-2,260 0 0 0 9 . ' 0 0 . ings and Cement In 1,026

No. 69, n. ~

66 ,

Quartz'mining contill1ieitin··a·'very .. pr0sper0us,condition)~a:ndla:go.a(ikdeaJ.;pf attention is just now being directed to that branch of mining: The principa,l.!<ompanies referred to in ptevious reports do. not· appear to have suffered' any material (jhahge, exceRt; perhaps, the Specimen Hill Quartz·Minihg';,

",q~p;1.pany, the yi~ld of whose el~im ha,E}. d)lring. th!Jlast q1A~rter averaged only. 5. dwts. pedon as ~ga~st':' l:oz. per ton durmg the ,recedmg three months. The Trafalgar Quartz Mmmg Company have lately' str;u~k. t~e N uggeity ree . i~ ,th~tr c)aim,. and ·pbtained,~r. the rate of 10 ozs. per ton, and the clajmfl,'; adJomll1g' south have now resumed operatlOns. ,.' .: .",.. . . ;

· The Alliance Quartz Mining 'Company;' on Mauritius is also rqioi'ted to have struck· :v'er}'-·~ ri.(}~.st,one. and several compap,ies .are now in comse of f?r!llation, with a view,of working the adjoining·, claIms. . , .'

At Yandoit, the P~ince of Wales Company ha;~; suffered a decline in their yield fro~ 3 ozs. 5 dwts. 1~ grs. to 20zs. 10 dwts.,average, but are still elearing handsome dividends; and both Christmas and Chance reefs are turning out very payable, On Hariiburgli. Reef" a tunnel is now being driven from the'foot· of the hill, with 'a~view of-cutting the reef at· a 'greater~depth,. than .any .yet ol1tatned by the_,

. shafts, but some,itime.,:n:g!§~Jelapse before any resJlH :viJI))p,1}trived at. . . _ ,--.4t G~epgowe.; 'the olp. reefs are all deserted,'imd no m1w'discoveries have taken place •

•. P sluicing.-The water supply has "not as yet been sufficient to,fairly start these bratiilh . 1\.bout a inonth,ago aJy:w ,sliowel's.~~.able~ .. p:tldp.lers to com'mence 'opei:;ftioJis, but most'of;our'more"extensive i'aces are as yetcdry ;'"and even if'rain were to set in now; nearly a mO!lth would necessarily elapse before the more elevated portions of the would be supplied. A certain' depression therefore d.ists, altHough the larg~ numbe! of companies yvor:[;:il}g pll,.t4'1i d,e,ep ~Hads ~fl;'~)1:d employment to a con~lderable number of mmers. ]'I; 0 new groun~ 'las bel;ln, dlscoyered, and I have heard of no finds above ordinary wages. . :'r : .... r,

Tunnelling.-No new ground has been opened, and the ol~ g:,;oUlid i~gra·4l].a~1y.,bc}!ig'~1'-0i:k~~ ou~ and, ~bandoned; put,·~he returns from grOl;md ,as yet occupwd are;.'gener.ally"tulJllingt out.!y:erj;', satIsfactorily. "', " r

· On Italian' Hill, the Federnl Company· has broken into tthe gutter at about·.l,SpO,.feet; ,anetl. obtained"a,prospect of\about t dwt, to t4l? tin;dish, . '" -. ~~" ... ", ,_~ ," _ . '7 '" " .. " ." "

At Deep Creek, nearly the whole of FIery Hill has been retaken up, tho'purposed! workrug Over the old ground; and, as far as I can learn;;tlie,resultslare proViiilg.:very,:remunerati:ve.,! 1.,1; "

· The, Ballar~t Tunnelling COlllpany are, working. w,ith, gppd ,rep:u~tsi. and .have hllen engaged ,part of \ the quarter sinking the shaft commenced by the Exploration Gold MiDiiig Company. .'

, / "The"Smeatpn ,Estate ,Go~d ,Mi'Q.jpgrCo~pany,on, priV;::tt~ p.foP!3r:tr. •. ha;Ve .. pp.t"dg'll;n tPt:e,ej;9i:es ~ . theIr land, and prove'd the eXIstence of deep ground, and brought up several rough specks .of gol;1m, the scoop. " '. ,'''; ,<. " ,,- ,"

At Elev:ated Plains, most of the old tunnelling companfes are still doing well north of Megg!(tt's paddock; Rnd some very good ground is said to have Deen struck in a tunnel now occupied. by the' Britannia G;;>ld Minj),).g 99Jllpal1Y., _ " ." Qn the Old Racecolirse; 'the :])erby Gold Mi'niug-e~mpany !Ins 'at length \ got, into solid ground, ~

and expect, if a sufficient'supply 'of water can De :obtainetl''for' sluicing; to declare'dividends shortly. , A t.Yandoit, Shieer's Hill and Frenchman's Hill are both fully but'· the! 'best part of

the ground .is worked out, and the r~turns less than they have been for some . ::lc1 ()~.j!Q.eep:.allJ,lyi~l isip~in,g t!~,'llt. p~.e~!;~~,j~ lJ;Jl~a~t~y. 80I)d~~i,q~,~,(I.~ctfrt.e;cw~.fldence, l,os~ ~hroug~, the

rUSh~1J;l;rt~ejena,0£rl864, Is.gradullIlY;toewg re-estal:ibshed,: .i .,:Jj:lt.:{" .'" ",. '. t • j .•

The White Star and the Exehequ,er_ Co.nwaqies e!'!.~,tinlle paying very handsome dividends; and the Comoora, Wallaby, and Daylesford Companies have all got into deep ground, and obtained very prOl;nising prospects .. ,IT'he,)Grea~ CentrahCompany, is .. ~so jreported to have got good prospects; and the Durham, Albert Edward, and Great Ells,tern CompapjesJ ~n the,sa1I!e ~ead, will. shortly .conim;::ncet operations, '. I • ., .'

INo definite results,have,asi yet Deen' obtained by"thelBand of,fIj:oPe"Grj'lat Ou)f, W~p1b'a~ .q~eek:~ """"<""~"Jll, .and .other e?mpani.es.;prospecti~g i,n the s?;.tthieaster~ part of the division,; but in mo~t of

18 belllg carrIed on WIth unabated VIgor. "" i " , .• '., ' :' . " • . .'.. , ", '

At Brandy-hot most of th.e gr9uJ?~ i~ n,.ow worked out, except the T!lndragee and the Last Chance Companies' claims; arid at Blank'et Flat matters are still inithe same p'ositiOl{las when;hlast repor-ted: 'J!

Fr'om the Champion .c,;ompany, at Shep~ClA's FI~t, downw,a,P,S, pear1y all the claims '~re,:in~:rull work, and the prospects are on the w;ho,le r,eported; to b~. mo~t·encoilraglpg. ,,'" "" " "

At Yandoit, Richards and Company have got their machinery on tlie 'grollnd; but proceedings I

are ear1~d G~:iot~s~~,wih~ Glengow~~ C~mp~n; have l~t a; contra~(for' bottoinh;g" ~nd, d~ving" their' s~aft 100 f€'et:ea~ht'IY!t:y ; ',an~ :~f the .results: should prove sup~ as are ~Jl*ipap~e.g a ,la~ge,~~ea; of, ~.qJ!.I)d! WIll be made avaIlable 'for mmmg, . ;':: .. ' ,,,',' ,. I ...

Shallow alluvial'sin'~ing:does not'present a'ttything worth recor,ding;t and',,!lo ;tl.ew,ground '4a~ opened during ~he quarter. 'c :) '., " I .,;.; ,.' , " '

• , \' f ~ ,", ~ 'It 'I

I'p'; Mr, 'Jfhomas

TARADALE SUBDrh~ION •. " . .., i··· " ,

Turner" Mining Sur~eyor, and ,R§giFJtraJ1"'HW"'"

., ..

Europeans, Chinese, , Total for tbe Remarks, I Subdivision.

'/ ':1 387 288 6i5 'J: .' l: , " : ..

103 103' Alluvial Miners Quartz Miners , ...

q~t,,:7~:~; .. : i' ,'f' I' ... I, ~90 288 , ... .' ,

I Totals

"

THE TOTAL, NUMBER

T;!.radale (scattered).:: Park Lead... .., Bell's Leafi,... .. Scorpion J;.ead ... Belltopper Lead and Reefs Malmsbury (scattered) Orr's Reef ... ... ,

t ••

67

OF MINERS I~. THU:S DIST~I:aUT;P;~ :;-, ,,'

104;' Lauriston (scatterean 'I ', •

92 Kangaroo Oreek·.:' . ilO~" Biu-fold Ranges ,:,'!.!,' ',i'j, ',I

40'" '06'liban River, Metdlfe ")' , ' 140 "Redes'dale (scattered)

j ~ '(,I 28 20 ""Total' J' ...

THE MACHINERY IS AS ;E:OLLOWS':-

,I,' QUARrz MrNrNG,

• ".t..J, , 72 67 21

... 34 .. 50 "Y:' •

''178

IT~,.>i "Aggregate, : -,':, -;:~I !, Number I, Aggre~ate: At Work.' 1 .wo. Horse-power of At Work. Idle. of Stamp , Horse-power of i Steam Engines; :. Head.. Steam ~CB.

DeSCription of 'Maohineri. '

I--'-:',~_'_"'_'~I-__ ~',, ____ ,_i ___ _

4 Dj : Steam Engines, for crnshing ... Ditto, crushing and pumping Ditto" puddlil}g and'pumping Water Jl,1;ill for crlishing' , ' ... Horse }'uddling Macl!ines Horse Whims Horse Whips

.,,'. " ...

7 100

'I 1 1,'6 . 12 4-

6

I ,2

2

Total value of mining plant in the sllbdivision, £15,0()().

' 48 45 3 32 52

I ;~

i ... "

2 i "I: i

...

Number of square miles of auriferous groun!! which is being, or may have been, actually worked upon, 19.

Number of distinct quartz reefs which have beel). actually proved to be allriferous to the prescnt time,22. . C

The price of gold during the quarter in the subdivision has been from £3 178. 3d. to £3 17s. 6d. per ~z.· .

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS BEEN OBTAINED RELATIVE TO THE, QUANTITY OF QUARTZ AND

QUARTZ TAILINGS A.ND CEMENT CRUSUED DURING THE QUAltT~R, A.ND'THE GOLD OBTAINED THEREFROM.

. ; . . . .

I II' , Where Quartz, &c., were . AveJ:'~o'j' . Remarks relative to

Name of Company. Quartz crushed. Yield of Gold: Total Y,eld of the Depth at which • obtained. , per Ton. '; G<Jld. the Quartz • was

---~.----.--- -: '---'~~-~ .~-+-.-.~-~ . obtained. ' ------.-.~--.. --.. -

ton ewt. qr. oz. dwt. gr. oz. dwt. gr. BARFOLD RANGES. - - ,

Alexr, I.eslie and Co .... Grey's Reef "'1 ." 58 15 0 0 9 121, 29 0 0 200 feet John Tyson ... ... Milvane's Heef ... 27 0 0 0 2 OB 2 15 0 Surface

MALMSBURY. 'Binny and Co. ... :80. I claim, Orr's Reef ... 26 0 0 1 8 18 37 7 12 '20 feet 'Pullen and Co. ... No.3 North, OIT'S Reef 32 0 01 0 22% ' 4 II 0 50 feet Connell and 00. .. , No.3 South, Orr's Heef 35 0 01 0 411

"

7 16 0 90 feet Holliwell and Co. ... No.4 South, Orr's Reef 1 10 01 1 8 8 I 2 2 12 Ditto Braithwaite and Co. ... Jefferson's Heef ... 155 0 0 1 5 I2-1!j 197 17 0 30 f\:'et Hnssell and Co. ... Colibari Reef ... ... 50 0 0 0 18 15~ 46 15 0 60 feet Pullen and Co. ... Kent Reef ... ... 6 0 0 I 1 16 6 10 0 30 feet' Pullen and Co. ". Orr's Heef ... ... 12 0 0 3 14 10 44 13 0 20 feet

.Hanagan and Co. ... No.2 North. Orr's Heef 18 0 0 1 6 4 23 II 0 70 feet Reid and Co. ... Kangaroo Reef ... 37 0 0 1 8 16~ 53 1 12 Ditto Alpha Co .... ... Taradale ... ... 200 0 0 0 5

gl 50 0 0 75 feet

McFarlane and Co, '" Belltopper Reef ."1 i 150 0 0 0'9 67,10 0 7Q feet J. Guichard ... ... Frenchman's Reef ... I 50 0 Q O,!5 37 10 0 120 feet

l'otal, Quartz ...1 858 5 0 o 14 5f 610 19 12 Qua,rtz Tailings, and I-~-~'· ---"-~,

Oement crushed. \

Binny an'd Co. ... No.1 claim, Orr's Reef";'/ '473 0 0 0 2 7 54 5 12 Pnllen and Co. ... No.3 North, Orr's Reef 485 0 0 0 2 15!': -~64- 0 0 Holliwell and Co. ... No.4 South, Orr's Reef , 191 0 0 0 o 201t 8 5 0 J. Bear and Co. ... No.4 North, Orr's Reef I 900 0 0 0 3 , l~; 136 11 0 1

Total, Qu~rtz Tailings} 0 0 0 2 13J 263 1 12 and Cement ~,049

Of th~ 19 square miles I mention jh my report, I estimate the portions of all the leads, gullies, and creek beds, which have been,and are being worked, at an area not exceeding 500 acres; on the reefs the worked area is under 2(10 acres. _

'About '6,000- acres' have lately been occupied as frontage claims, onl unW\lrked grounds, reaching from Malmsbury to the junction of the Coliban and Campaspe Rivers, being all of the available Crown land of basaltic formation. , ,~,

Very little ofthis ground is being worked; the number of tunnels that have been commenced is only seven on the whole 6,O()() acres. ,;, .

The total number of claims held, a.s above, is 68, and the number being worked is 35.

68

When J.estimate the area of auriferous country, as above, at 19 square miles, I include much ground in the vicinity of gold workings, but which has not been actually worked, and my statement is therefore qualified by the above particUlars. • ,

. Much enterprise is being displayed, under assumption of the auriferous character of the sub· basaltic deposits of this district. Every available piece of Crown land, and also much of private lands, are being appropriated to mining, but tim~ must elapse for forming companies and for preliminaries before much actual work can be done. There appears to me sufficient indications to warrant the prevailing

. expectations; since the leads actually knowll trend beneath the basaltic formations, in the proximity of Taradale, Malmsbury, and Lauriston. .

As regards the discovery at Redesdale,. which has caused such a "i'ush" for large frontage claims in that locality, I must mention that the prospectors, Brown and Co., have hitherto washed up only five or six loads of earth, and that the produce averaged' about 8 dwts. per load. They seem to have a great quantity ofW!J.shdirt on their claim, which at one part'is 8 feet deep .

. Another proof of the auriferous nature of this district of Redesdale is found in the fact of the bed 6f the Coliban River having, for years past, ;yielded rich ~eturns from many of its pools; and the gold thus met with must have been washed into,the river beds by streams cutting their courses through the basaltic rock, as is very evident on the spot.

, At Taradale, Bell's J.ead' exceeds all expectatiolls that have been formed of its richness. Six claims thereon having now struck gold. " .

There has been a new reef .struck on the private property of Mr. Milvane, at about 2 miles eastward of Malmsbury. ~

Although the yield (as set forth in the tabular' statement) does not show a large result, yet, as this reef is surrounded by the basaltic country, it is another proof of the auriferous character of the sub-basaltic beds. '

On the whole, I may state that this gold field of the Taradale subdivision is in a most promising state of advancement.

-_. __ .. _----'------

MALDON DIVISION.

Mr. Robt. N ankivell, 111 ining Sur.veyor and Registrar.

THE TOTAL NUMBlllR OF MINERS IS AS FOLLOWS:I -

EUl'Opoans. CIrinose. I Total tor the Division. Remarks. .

--------- -----~ -_ .. _----- --_ .. __ .. __ .. -Alluvial Miners ... 577 759

I 1,336

Quartz Miners ... 583 ... 583

Tot,ala .. , 1,150 759 .1 I,9L9 ,

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS IS. THUS DISTRIBUTED :-'

Mount 'l'arrangower Eaglehawk .. , Growler's Gully Pcgleg Gully Beehive Hill

. Porcupine Nuggetty Sandy Creek

218 192 41 73

165 88 67

250 i

Newstead Pickpocket ... Gardner's Gully Long Gully .. , Ironbark Gully Armstrong's ... Hard Hills Hunter's Rush

41 570

22 14 18 i7 11 12

Back Creek ... Frymgpan Gully Green Valley . :. ' Long Gully ... Frenchman's Gully

,Total

,29 . {) 32 44 10

... 1,919

THE MACRINljiRY IS AS FOLLOWS:-

ALLUVIAL MINING. QUARTZ MINING.

I

·AtWork.1 ·--1: Aggregate DeSCription of MaclliIu;ry. I

Number I Aggregate Idl •. Horse-power of At Work. I Idl •• of Stamp Ho .... power of

Steam Engines. '_.~ ..... . H<l!l.da, Steam F..ngine •. 1--- - ... ~.- ~.--... -

H

Steam Engines, employed iii pump- 1 ... 10 20 10 312 606 ing, winding, and crushing 1

Whims ... ... ... . .. ... ... 28 15 ' ... .. . Derricks ... ... ... I 4 ... 4 2 .. . ... Puddling Machines ... ... 54 20 ... ... ... . .. ." Toms ... 10 ,5

.\ ... ... ... ... ... . .. . .. I

. .. Water Wheels ... ... ... 2 I ... ... . .. . .. ,

Total value of mining plant in the division, £67,850. Number of square miles of auriferous ground which is being, or may have been, actually worked

upon, 9~. - . Number of distinct quartz reefs which have been actually proved to be auriferous to the present

, time,53. ' The price of gold during the quarter in. the division has bee,n from £3 17~. 6d. to ~3 198. 3d.

per oz.

/

69

'fHE For,LOWING INFORll:LA.TION HAS BEEN OBTAINED REJ,ATIVE TO THE QUA..NTI~Y OF QUARTZ AND QUARTZ TAILINGS AND CEMENT CRUSHED DUIUNG THE QUARTER, AND THE GOLD OBTAINED THEREFROM.

I Where Quartz, &c,' were I !

Rel!lll.rkB relative to the Average Total Yield of Name of Company,

-I-~~'----Quartz crushed, : Yield of Gold Gold, Depth at wbieh the

QuartzWllB obtained. per Ton, . -~~~ ..

ton cwt. qT. oz, dwt. gr. oz. ',dwt, gr.

Beehive ... ... Beehive Reef ... 1,830 0 0 1 o 17i 1,897 0 0 240 feet Eaglehawk ... Oswald ... . ..

. Phrenix ... '"

North British ... Great Western ... Union ... ... Alpha ... ... Wellington ...

Quartz Tailings and Cement cr~"ed.

Chrystal and Co. Prince of Wales

Alluvial Miners '" Quartz Miners

Darling Reefs, .. W alshe's Creek Muddy Cre!lk

...

...

Big. Bill's Creek McMahon's Creek Yarra River Claims

, EaglehawkalldBeehive 1,920 0 0 o 10 12k 1,008' 10 0 50 to 230 feet Reefs I

Manton's, Eaglehawk, 720 0 0 2 1 4! 1,482 11 0 Various and Wilson's Reefs

Beehive, German, and 1,000 0 0 Q 17 I6H 885 5 0 Ditto Wilson's Reefs

Manton's, Victoria, 1,300 0 0 o 17 ISg 1,154 16 Q Ditto and Brewer's Reefs

Beehive Reef .,. 286 0 0 011 6~ 161 5 6 170 to 220 feet Eaglehawk Reef .., 190 0 0 o 12 20i 122 0 0 220 feet Beehi ve Reef ... 360 0 0 011 19 1 212 14 0 180 feet Linscott's Reef ... 50 0 0 1 I 14~ 54 0 0 230 feet ,

Total, Quartz 7,656 0 0 0 18 5~ I 6,9~--;;- i "

Quartz Tailings . .. 340 O' ,0 0 5 4~ 88 3 0 Cement ... .. . 700 0 0 0 1 204 65 0 0

Total, Quartz Tail-} ings and Cement 1,040 0 0 0 2 22£ 153 3 0

I

ST. ANDREW'S EAST SUBDlVIS19N.

Mr. R. Brazill, Minim[! Surveyor and ,Registrar.

TilE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS IS AS FOLLOWS:-

165 165

15

There are 12 miners in tin. , . 15

Totals 181) 180

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINE'as IS THUS DISTRIBUTED :-

15. Warburton 32 IIoddle's Creek 10 Emerald Diggings

4 12 46

THE MACHINERY IS AS FOLLOWS :-

I-----.. ·~~ .----

Total

QUARTZ MnrrNG,

6 21 34

180

Number Aggregate of Stamp =-Ce~~

Description of Machinlll'y. I' Aggregate At Work. Idle. I Horse-power of At Work.

I

Steam Engines. I •

O-rd-i-n-a-ry-p-U--d-dl-i-n'g"'~M-a-c-h-in-e-s-w-o-r-k-e-d"I-~- -:-1 ... I ~~ •. -~ by Horses

Water Wheel for Crushing Quartz,' j' .. , I'" ... I ••• about 6 horse-power II

Water Wheel for Pumping ... 1 ... ..... ...

Idle.

... 1

...

Heads,

... ... i

4

[ ...

. .. . .. Total value of mining plant in the subdivision, £1,750. Number of square miles of auriferous ground w hi(,h is being, or may have been, actually worked

upon, St. . Number of distinct. quartz reefs which have been actually proved to' be auriferous to the present

time,5. ' The price of gold during the quarter in the subdivision has aeen from £3 ] 5s, to £3 178. 6d.

per oz. .

70 , .,

'~~~.!.lqrl) ~'."~ •. ~. • ' , • , . t . ' , . · ;.u:J;Jl~V!:',litt~~ .to; r~port this~U!irter as, ll<jt:vithstan~ing much pr~par.ation, little .has 'been achieve~,

,"OW:IJlg,tg va.:r:lOus cau~e~, .~y any of the compames orgamsed'for workIllg III quartz, tm, and for gold, III the bed of the Yarra: . ,

~;}:; O~l~~{!Tlie ipl*ing .of/the·JDarlil}g'~eefs ... (whi.ch are .under applicl1ti.on f.or.l~l1se) is suspended, owing to tlieir:,b"ein:gto a) certaill'eitent involved in litigation; 'the companies, however, are prepared to proceed as soon as the points-at'issue-are determined.· .

. The several'Yarra River claims, where the river has been diverted; continue t.o pay wages, but , not J7luch·m·ore ; hcept in tile case .of the Big Bill's Creek .C.ompany, which has been very successful

. during tlie quarte:r; having fallen upon many pounds weight of gold in various po'ckets, in the bed of the Yarra. . , ,

The parties wh.o have applied for leases t.o mine in tin, have as yet done little but put, up huts, open tracks, a!19. prospect. .,Messrs. Harding and Shakespeare have raised, and are sending t.o Melbourne a considerable quantity of stream tin, with a view,to determining i.ts commercial value.

Ordinary alluvial mining still continues· at ~ very low ebb. ' The want of sound tracks and bridges is severely felt thrC\ughout this subdivision, and it is im-

possibl~ that its r~sourcescan be' developed until something is done to make traffic practicable. '.

ST. ANDREW'S WEST SUBDIVISION.

Mr. Joseph 'smith, Mining Surveyor and Registrar .. -, , ----

THE TOTAL NUMBER of MINERS IS AS FOL1~OWS:-

European. CIUnese. Total for the Remarks. Subdivision. . - , /

, "

Alluvial Miners ... ... 364 .74 438

Quartz Miners 188 188 " , ... .. . ... .

Total ... . .. 552 74 626 . -~ ....

, THE ToTAL NUMBER OF MINERS IS THUS D'ISTRIBUTED:-

ALLUVIAL

'Queenstown-MINERS. ALLUVIAL MINERs-continued. '

Whisky Gully,., Yow Yow ...

· Happy V a~ley .. , Wild Dog .. , About Queenstown Badger Point '. .. Salter's Rush .. , Old Caledonia ... Fern-tree Hill .. Long Gully

KingstownCherry-tree Gully Red Shirt Gully Ford Gully ...

Kangaroo Ground.. ~.' ~: Stony Creek ...

- Wet Gully . , Watery Gully ...

Eltham-Buchanan's Gully Ferny-tree Hill Research Gully

· Diamond Creek

1.·,'Anderson's- , Anderson's Creek

" Thompson Gully Stiggins's Flat: ..

. ;';Parson's Gully Whipstick Gully

12 20

2 25 21 50 4 6 7

30

12 8 6

12, 9'

20

II) 4 8 6

30 18 12

4 4

Anderson's- . Whitehair's Gully Banks of the Yarra Chinese

QUARTZ MINERS. Queenstown-

Swedish Reef, One-tree Hill Gillman's Reef, One-tree Hill Yow-Yow Reefs Smile of Fortune Reef ... New Chum Reef Victoria Heef, One-tree Hill Golden Point ·Reef

Kingstown-Oram's Reef Jerome's Reef. .. Boomer's' Reef.,. Com~t Reef Jacob's Reef ...

·Anderson·s CreekGrowler's Ileef Fourth Hill .

Diamond C~eek (private ground)Diamond Reef Gold Mining Co. McDougall and Co. ' "', No.3 Company ,,, .··Il

Orme and Co .... O'CaIlaghah's .. .' i \

Total "

6 18 74

18 9

25 6 2 4 6

13' 2 6 4 4

6 7

45 19 5 5 2

62()

THE MAOHINERY IS AS FOLLOWS:-

., •

' .. , ALr,UVIAr, MINING. . , ~"uAR~Z Mn;ING. '

Description of Machinery. "-,I. ,::

Aggref!!\te Idl~.

Number Aggregate .' i At Work. Idle. Horse-eot At Work. of. Stamp Horsc-e pf

Steam . ea. Head ••. Steam . es.

------

Seidleberg's crushing mill; Yow ..

Yow ... ... ... " . .. .. . ... 1 ... 12 IS Ditto, ditto, Badger's Point. ... ... ... ..... 1 H't! 12. 10 Wilkinson's ditto. lfingstown ... ... ...... ) ~ 1 ,'1:-, . 6 ,.10 . Diam:Jnd Gold Mining Company . i 12 15 ... ... . . ... .. . Anderson~s Creek Smelting and J

Crushing Machine ... ... ... . .. , ... ... I 4 6 Puddling Machines ... ... 16 ,05 0 , ... ... . .. ... ... Whims ... ... ... 2 I • oo ... :Z ... ... Whips

i 8 ... ... . .. I;' ... ... .. . ... .. .

, . . . . " .. .. , .,

" . , , . .- . ht'l " , . . , !'~., , l t

Total value of mining plant in the subdivision, £5,470. Number of square miles of auriferous ground which is being, or may have been, actually worked

upon, 4. Number of distinct quartz reefs which have been actually proved to b'e auriferous to the present

time,lO. " . The pric~ of gold duri~g,th~\quar~r in the.sp.bdiv~~on has:be£tlf fro~.£13 178, to £4 per oz.

THE FOLLOWING INFORAfATIOi' H,ii{·'jjFmN OBT.AI~ElJ' RELATrJii:· tbi. TrlE' QUANTITY OF QUARTZ AND

REFUSE QUARTZ, ETC., ORUSHED DURING THE QUARTER, AND THE GOLD OBTAINED THEREFROM.

Names of Companies.

Lanky'Joe .... . Coolie and Barker's Mandell and Co. Sloane aud Co. Homan and Co. Sawden Brothers

Purcell and Co. Simpson and Co: Recd and Co. Jacob and Co. ,,' No.4 North .. . No.5 North .. . No. I South ..... . Perry and Co. Abandoned claim

Where Qua.rlz, l/;c., were obtained. _

'" Swedish Reef,. One-tre'e Hill '

.oo Ditto... . ..

... Yow-yow Reef .. .

... ·Ditto .... " .. .

... Ditto... ..,

... Ditto ..... ...

... 'Golden Poin t, Qneens-, :town .

... New Chum Reef ...

... Comet Reef ... • oo Ditto '" .. . '.. Jacob's Reef .. . ... Oram's Reef .. . ... Ditto... . .. ... Ditto... ... ... Boomer's Reef '" .... Growler's Reef. An-

derson's Creek .. Gold fifining Company McDougall and Co, ...

Diamond Reef Ditto ...

No.3 Company. .. . Orme and COl .. .

Ditto..... ' .oo

Ditto '"

I Average Id Rema:rks relative to the Quartz crushM. iYield of Gold Tota~::. of Depth at which theQuarf.z

: perl ,ton. was obtained, &0.

ton ·em. qr. 16 10 '·0

13 0 '0 20 0 0

'.IS 0 0 20 0 0 10. 0 0

'-IS' 0 0

1 8 0 ),3 0, 0·. 20 o'!f 19 10 0

126 0 0 36 0 0 300

'13 10 0 ,2 0 '0

oz. dwt. gr. 21 '. 3 0J!r

10 6 16i 2 1.;0 o 15,,:1.i\, 3 4 12 o 16 21~ o 13 8

1:1,

o 1 19 I 7 16

• I 10 . 0 1 2. OM 2 18 9' o 17 14~ o 16 16 1 'Il • 2" o 7';12

5

oz. dwt, gr. 349 0 0 50 feet

134 7 41 '0 .. 9 19 64 io

o 50 feet o 70 feet o 65 feet o 100 feet

8 9. 10 0

o 90 feet o 30 (eet

1.· I

o 2 12 4",3 0

'30 "0 0 21 l'9 18

368 0 0 31 14 0 2 10 0

21 Ii 0' 0 ',0 ·i5· 0

li j

Surface 10 feet Surface to 20 feet . Surface Surface to 176 feet About 170 feet Surface to 20 feet Surface to 50 feet llO feet

399 204 80 62

'0 0 1 4 9.0, 486 6 I~ 225 feet 130 feet 130 feet 90 feet.

o 0 0 14 13k 58 5 0 o 0 0·19 14i I 206 0 0

o 0 i I 0 23! 65 0 0

Total, Quiiiti,:: •. I-I,-O-76-·,7"'I-8"7·0-:·-;, , '1'15 :10': 1,906 10 18

Re.fuse Qnartz,{fc •

HUllt and,Co. Seidleberg and Co, No.3 North ...

,

... Wild Dog

... Badger Point

.oo Oram's Reef

T9ta1, Refuse }. Quartz, &0.

. .} 100 41

142

.I.. . ....

10 '0 . 0 0-0 .... , 0 0 0 ! 0

10 o 1 0

10 0 o IS 0 Rubbish and schist 1 14i. 8 0 0 Rubbish and schist o 23~ I 19 12 Refuse quartz and

schist I 12! 10 14 12

I have the honor to report that considerable activity has taken place in mining in this subdivision during the. quarter. . .. ... ,.: , '

. In alluvial mining, several puddling' machines hl!ove been erected, the results from which appear to give satisfaction to ~~e owners. ' " . . " . .

Several large nuggets have been' found' a'tLFern.tree" Hill, . near IOne·tree Hill, the largest weighing 84 ozs., ~~~~.as.~q.}'~,d·;, ()ue. alsR. o~.?O,ozs:. andse,v!lral smaller ones. The groUl;d. wh~re these nuggets were found IS now so rotten from being tossed'about, and so full of water, that It IS dIfficult to work the same with sn\lh means as have been applied; but there is some ground left which has not been touched, 'If hich, if systeni:i.tically managed 'by a company, 'would yield: 'hil:n'dsome returns.

7.2 '. ,

The average earnings of the 364 alluvial miners are about £1108. per week each, and that of the 74 Chinese at about £1 per week each; which, if turned into gold, would represent about 2,000 ozs. during the quarter, and, when added to 1,917 ozs. (the produce of the crushing machines), will make a total of 9917 ozs. of gold during the quarter for the subdivision.

Qu~rtz reefing in this subdivision is, upon tHe whole, in aliealthy state as regards profits. Great excitement has been caused by the large yields in Swedish Reef, One-tree Hill, the working shareholders in which realise about £20 a week each. One.sixth share in thc Lancashire Hero claim has lately changed hands for £500. ,

But the s_o called reilfs are merely "leaders," of only a few inches in thickness. There are not many discovered reefs in this subdivision, and those which have been tried have been abandoned for the small lodes. The ground where some of the reefs are situate is very steep, and well adapted for tunnelling purposes, which if taken up by companies would, I think, be yery remunerative.

The quartz miners in this locality'have a great objection to work the thick reefs, on account of their not giving a sufficient return near ·the surface. The Diamond Creek Gold Mining Company are now at a depth of 225 feet, with an average thickness of 18 inches, the stone of which is oecoming richer the deeper they go; the works are carried on in a proper and systematic manner,' contrasting favorably with the style upon which the reefs in the subdivision are generally worked, which Jor the most part would merit no better term than fossicking. '

There is one hydraulic hose in the course of erection a~ Wild Dog, and about six puddling machines in other parts of the .subdivision; which, when added to the'increased, activity in quartz mining, will, I trust, improve the returns for ~he ,incoming quarter.

. , BLUE MOUNTAIN NORTH SUBDIVISION.

Mr, R. H. Horne, Mining Registrar.


EuropeMls. i Chinese. Total for the Subdivision. Renmrks.

Alluvia.l Miners ... ... 825 ... 825 The other popullltiou

Quartz Miners ... ... 200 . -!

... 200 amounts to between 4J)O a.nd 500. ,

,

Totals· ... ... 1,025 ... 1,025

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF )\fINERS IS. THUS DISTRIBUTED

~entham, including Trentham Creek, Stony Creek, Rocky Lead, &c. Coliban Falls ... .... ... ... ... . .. Trentham and Tylden Farmers' Commons Tylden, on the Coliban . .'. ... ... Newbury, incl,uding Main Flat, Dover Castle Creek, &c. Dry Diggings . Amelia Reef Alma Reef, Alma Creek, &c. . . , , Garlick's, Kirk's, the Glue Pot, &c. ", Doctor's Hill, Blue Creek, Canadian Hill M~d-Iark Diggings, Kangaroo Creek'

60 10 15 10 50 20 20

205 575

45 15

Total ... 1,025


, '. ALLUVllL MINL"G. QUAltTZ Mnmw.

Descripti"" of:Ma.clUneI'y. Aggregate At Work. Idle. Horse-power of At Work. I Idle.

I Numbe •• ,I Aggregate of Stllilllp Horse-Power of

Steam Engines. Heads. Steam Engines. -~~---.---"~

(re'~!:ing) I Steam Engines 4 2 50 1 ,

2 30 ... ... Puddling Machines ... ... 10 ... ... ... ... ... Sluicing Machines ... ... 5 , ... ... ... ... ... '" Crushing Mills ... ... . .. '" ... 2 1 ... ... Pumping Machines ... ... 5 ... ... 2 ...

i

... ... Whims ... ... ... 2 ... ... 2 ... , ... ...

Total value of mining plant in ~e subdivision, £~,~. . . . Number of square mil~s of aurIferous ground whIch IS bemg, or may have been, actually worked

upon, 7. '1' h Number of distinct quartz reefs which have been actually proved to be aurllerous to t e present

time, 5. - . . . b f £9 7 £317 3'd The, price. of gold dnring the quarter in the subdlVlslOn has ,een rom 1 s. to 8..

per oz.

73

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS' nEEN OnTAINED RELATIVE TQ THE CRUSHED DURING THE QUARTER, AND THE GOJ,D OBTAINED TRERlilF:RO'M:.

Name of (J()mpany. Where Quartz was obtained,

Alma. No.1 Prospecting Alma. Reef Claim

Quartz CI'UJjhed. Average

YieldofG1:l1d per ton.

ton ewt. qr. oz. dwt. gr.

400 0 0 0 7 12 ,oz. dwt. gr.

150 0 0

, I have the honor to report that the Alma No.1 (prospecting claim) latterly been chiefly employed in sinking 'a new shaft. They are now down about 60 feet with this new shaft, and intend to ~ink ~t to 200 feet; f~r this reason ~heir crushing 9perations have been ·?omp~ratively. s~8pended, whICh accounts for the Yield of gold bemg so much less than usual from thIS clalm. This IS also the case with regard to the No. 2 south claim on the Alma Reef, where the company are sinking a new shaft. ,

Of ~he Amelia Reef Ooml?any the same must likewise be reported, as t)lCy have been exclusively engaged in erecting a ,new engme and machinery for pumping, and have therefore crushed nothing during the last quarter beyond a few prospectings and experimental selec~ions. They have a shaft down, however, to the depth of 120 feet.

Among the alluvial claims, those of the ·greatest" promise-or, at any r~te, of the more immediate appearance of rich development-are the Ulster, the Columbian, the Boundary Lead, the Commercial, and the company at work in Ogden's Paddock. The boiler of the Boundary Lead has unfortunately. burst a second time; this claim has consequently been obliged to suspend opJrations for a week or two. Other promising claims have also ceased to work, being under registered protection, on account, for the most part, of an overflow of water; but the Columbian and the company working in Ogden's Paddock (which is private property)- continue to find gold of a superior quality. Both these workings are likely to~~~ , I

The claim, however,which at this time excites most attention is that Of the mster. They have bottomed ,at a depth of 119 feet, and found that the ground was taking a sudden dip very much deeper. It is, therefore, confidently expected that the mster will bc the first,on this gold field to discover the main deep anriferous ,lead. The gold found, however richly,'in all theothericlaims, appears to be only from branches of a deep lead. When the latter is really discovered, the advance of this gold field will probably be rapid. J , •

The Commercial Company have come upon gold in good quantity and fine quality, and as this claim is the next adjoining the Weird Krook (or Blue Mount), the opinion of miners as to the probable source of the branch leads being from the .Blue ].fount seems to obtam additional confirmation.

Anoth'lr of the alluyial claims, concerning which great hopes are rea~onably entertained, is the Trentham Yellow' Boys, being ground for 150 men, and having, therefore, 7r,500 feet of frontage, as it is a tunnelling and sinking claim. It was started ,by ten promoters, nearly all of them residents at Trentham. 1'he Trentham Yellow Boys' claim is the next adjoining the company in Ogden's Paddock, where rich specimens of large, rough, water-worn gold, both nuggetty and in.·scales; nave recently heen found.

Many of these laJ;ge claims for 50, 100, and 150 men, I have latterly discovered to embody a' great number of 8111aller claims, since abandoned, whereby I was led, in former reports, to make an over estimate of the, number of squ;i:re miles of auriferous ground which is! being, or may have been, actually worked upon.. ,_' " .

The gold purchased by the Bank of Australasia (Bl!ickwood Branch) during the last quarter, amounts to 600 oz. of alhivial gold, 60' oz. of quartz gold, and 95 oz. of eement, which, being added to the 150 oz. of quartz gold produced hy the Alma Reef No.1 Company, and purchased, I believe, in Kyneton, gives a' total for thc quarter of 905 oz. This being only the quantity about which I have means of obtaining any, certain information; cannot, of course, represent the total yield of gold from this field during the last quarter. , ..

ARARAT MINING DISTRICT.

ARARAT DIVISION.

Mr. Henry Grilm(ls, Miming Swrve/gor aru:l Regi8tr(Jfl'.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS IS AS FOLLOWS!-;-I

~u.ropeane. Chinese. Tot.al for the Rellll!rkB. . , Division •

, Alluvial Miners ... ... 700 720 1,420 . Quartz Miners '" ... 150 ... 150

.

I Totals ... 85'} 720 1,570 ,

I ,

No. 69, i.

·1 ". , . TIlE' TaTAr'. NUMBER. OF :MINERS 1::;' TIlUS. DISTRIBUTED :-:-.

. ~ ...

...... ." ;, f

. .. ~,- 5.59:.\ ',: 300 200

;'" : , •.. ,1,570. ".,'~~l.,'1 .,,; ~'.\

: ;':1. 1

TIlE JYhCHINERY IS' AS FOLLOWS:-

ALLUVIAL MINING .. • I , "

Description of Machwery. , :1

( At ~ork:ll .' ~dl~. "A:;;gregate r • ~., Horse·Power of At Work, Steam Engines.

Idle. Number of Stamp

Ileads.

.Aggre~at6i " HOI'lle-Powe:t of steam Engines'

r 1, Ste;I!1. E~gine~,~ empioyed" in 1'/ I,

. pumping and winding. . •. 1 • .1. Puddling J\.Iachines ••• n. I

Slui;es a:nd TO)lls ••• ,I • WhIms ... .., "'1 Steam Engmes, employed for ' · 'crushing only . , Ditto, crushing, pumping, and ',·wiriding· • ". . .1' , ". • • , f I

40 250

,3 lO

8 '"

/.\

42 I

1 12 ..... ..

. ~ ....

I 2 i6 .'

2f

" 4 36 65 , .,

.,Total value,9f l!linin~ plantin ,the division, £14.~OO", , . ' ". .~. . Number of'square mlles of aurIferous. ground whIch 18 bemg, or may have been, actually'worked

upon, 3~. ". . .. . , . . . . ~; .... Number of distinct quartzl'eefs"which have' been actually proved'to bea~riferous·to thepres~nt.

tIme,. 14: . ;:'" . ' . . ,~ The'pnce'o'f gold during the quarter in th~ division has been from £317s.'6d. to £3178. 9d.:per OZ,

" ,i 'I •• , •• '

Tft~ '~~~-aOWI~G iNF~~lrATloJIT 'IIAS BEEN OBTAINED RELATIVE "'\""''''''QUARTZ' T·iltlN,G8 AND: ClllMENT C·RlJSHED. DURING THE . - . ... . .. - ..' , " . . . '~.

TO TIIE' Qt;A,NTITY OF QUA.R.TZ AND YEAR, AND Tiq: GOLD OBTAINED

T~R.EJF¥.oM, ·f

" '''; I " ""I' I •

. - .• 'I Avera.gei<:;T t I Y' Id [IRemarks relatiye; 'to tho Quartz !"'ushed. ,Yield of Goldi 0 a("'l~f. 0, Depthat.which~heQ.ua.rtz "! . N~e of Company.

• ,' ')'1 .. , ........ ~...."-~-'..:_=-:.....:._I -I. pcrT<?ll. 'I __ '_;~I was obtill~Cd. ' -'-'--!...:----.:..-~-.:. i I'

'Hi- :.' ~ - i-'·II·.··!l ·.f J','r_ '\:1' J d ! ·:"tODcWt. qt.:' oZl,(1wt.'gr~ !~ ,(Y.fi. dl\'t.gr. f .~ '.i.,,~;;

-v;' <. • ...

Kang;l.r.oo.Co,. C~mpbel1's Reef ..... 313 0 0 . 0 11 ISr I 185 0 0350 feet deep.i. North Star,Co .... ,: ... !. I,D~ttol ... .,. '," .... P .358''10 ~O , 1 . 4 5r~" '~33 .• 15 0 100 feet,deep:C\'. ~.' n Three Crowns Co. ... D~tto .•• .., 325 0, 0 0 19 12, 317. 1 12 300 feet deep. SOll~~ew qr?!s; 90 .. :'" :Oltt~! ;, .. ',., ,.,; .. : ~.50 .•• 0,.0 0., 7.2~f" 89 0 O. 260 fee.t deep,'

----,-- -----i-----~ * Tot!il, Quartz .• : 1,2460 0' 0 16 loa11,024 16 12

1~;; .':' :: d.,~ .. ' , i: ]. .1 ",ti' • !

'\~QfIa'rtZ"~Tlliling(jarid,:' • "t· 1', \I';" ., ~.~ .. ; ,,~f.i -. -.-,·--=1-,,--, --,-.- .. :;!'. ~'Cem'ent.--c'rusl!(id • ... ' "/ . . ..... ,. . ... , ... "

, .. Sebastopol Co. . .'Ararat Township .•. 600 0 0.' 0 4 0 120 0' 0 60 feet deep.

Quartz Cruslzed, , '. Southern Cross Co. ... North Star Co. . • )".: •. r. Three Crowns Co. Koh-i-noor Co. Northern Light Co.

. Prospector~B Co,

1------ --'---~ -'-----"'Total, Quartz T!J.il- 1 ings and Cement.f:; _60.0 •. ~Q.=·I==::.::._0_i __ 1_2_0 __ 0 __ 0

(JaIl')pb!\ll',!! ~ee( ... .'Pi.t~o J .:;; ,: ;'! .•• Ditto Ditto '- ... Ditto

\

523 - 0 0 0 15 ,tl6 0 0 ~!14~~ Q, ~ci. i 0J,:'~7 I P69.,19;Q ~j c,"

296 0 0 I 12 483 5 0 _44 '.0 0 _ 0 3 7 0 0 ~ 0 0 1 0 36 0 0

Ditto Ditto

350. 0 0 0 18' 325 ·15 0 .ze] "·;"653.~ 0 .,Orl ;,0;.14 .178 ° ° Phcenix' Co ....

Kangaroo Co. , . Ditt9~ :",)J·im)'.;~;.,.

••• .... ~32 0, 4:! I l' 0 541 () 0 '''\\;\,-' '\.'~\;t~+~-~·=T.:.--;: :~' ... ,~ \~-.-. -' -. --.-,.-, ,-,-.

. 12,883 "0 0 I 0 17 I 12,456 0 ° I

, ;

• The particulars of these crusliings were nOli; fu.rilished iu,tim,i<to: bi.:puolished'. With' ii;', llIinlng Surveyor Grimes' report for the quarter • ending 31st March, 1865. ' ,

• .'.. ~ - , . ~, , "f'-. '. --: T .. ~ I I •. :' .. r ... ~~-

!-fy reportrfor the quarter i~ as;.follovl'S':-I' ",.,:;\"1; I '-''''I',,,f' ! • 1 • ., - -The miners generally have Been doing w9ll..,. .. ..

There have been fourteen 'prospect claims registered, viz., 'one at Milk Maid Creek,. one at Phillip's Flat, five in or adjoining Providence :Gully; two. at 'Shay'sFlat, two' at AI'illstrbIi'g's, 'one at· Opossum. Gully, 'one at Spring Lead, one at Ge~man. GaIly, oDt)· at G:r:asshopper F,lat, and one 'between Shay's Flat .and Providence Gully. At this last place' e,- rush ,of 400 ~in~rs ~as ~alren pl~ce. The prospectors get as much as two to three ounces per load of wasJ:idJl·t, whlCh IS mne lUches thlck, and .. at a depth of seventeen, feet from the surface. There are forty claims at present that have got

, 75'

the lead:and ~hich:employ,about·~60men.. Adjoining·.the, Prospect. Claim,. at, Phillip's Flat, thcl'~ is . .!L rush of 100 men, many ~L whom ,ate doing w(jll,. At. Grasshopper ~lat, .. aJso'lia rush of. about 100 men has just"set in. " , , ' .1 ., "

In the deep lead sinkings, ,the Ararat Company, in the several bores.they have made, have,not as yet struck the lead. The Black Lead Company, in their first bore, had a mishap in the bursting of thcir'tubing,liut are now well down ,with' a second., The Victory Claim is not as ye,t payin~ wages; the groUnd'has,partly falleri' in, and .obliged them to commence a new drive.' The Sebastopol vompany have come to a stoppage on account of the returns being less than the expenses. At Moyston the reef claims are one and all in a healthy eowiition. The Three Crown claim have nearly finished working up. and have commenced tojink again. 'ThePiospe~~ors are wo Jl'om the 300 feet level; the stone is of average quality;-yielding 'halfan ounce 'to ont6h:i":guttQiiv and"Company' have opened out on the same'level as the prospectors; their stone. looks well. 'rhe, Company, which now includ~s the Phamix and ]lying PP<:. ~laims, . haV,e ~heir shaft ,do , feet; there is good' gold to be seen at that dcpth; there 18, therefore, no fear of the reef runmng out for some time yet. The 'Southern Cross Company is yielding betfer by far than ne'l'etofore.' Tliere is no doubt now that the, investment made by the shareholders:will ulbimately prove,ll:emunerative. The NOM Star Company have a forty horse.power engip.e now on the ,ground; It will be erected as speedily as possible, and will give a fresh impetus to mining on the n9rth end of the reef.

In alluvial mining there is little doing, and little' can be done until the machinery at the North' Star's Company'!! ground eo~mence~'work, so as to drain the .gro~n~. The!Moyston Grand ~u,!ction Company Mve some of thel,r machmery on .the ground Wh,lCll.lt.lS confi~~ntly expected, w,ill pr()vc. payable. '" " .. . t, _ , , ., .' .,. 'w,

. ;"'" '. , .. J

.' '.", 'PLEASAJ:h CREEK DIVISION;

Mr. '.fohn D'Alt~n: :M~i~i/Sutfri;eyor ari/[Reg"ist'ru;r;'

I I European •• i Chinese.

",t'

Total for the Division.

, "' ... '

.: lWmlIrks.

--------~------·------~--~I-~~. -2-rl __ ~---r-I _____ ~~~ -~--~~,,-,-,-____ --~~---


'Totals"

fl' '

766' ! f 280 I l,0.1.l}.. ",'l;r.~ ,{a,W.l)g off in the 'nmnber of 480 ' \ ,!: -: o48~: :': " quartz miners is owing to nearly

____ ~~ _______ 1 _________ ' all' the claims at Elizabeth Creek .sJJJlP~dipg 'Y..Qr~, , '" . ___ _ .. '1,246' " - '280' ' .. , '1~526"

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MJ:N'ERS"IS .. ",. ~.{ TRUS DISTRIBUTED :...:..

Deep L,ea!l ... Four Posts: ... , "

Commercial str:eet Elizabeth· Creek· , Great Western Ironbark ...

Description of Mn.chinery.

Steam Engines Crushing Machines. Puddling Machines Whims Whips Sluice Boxes Toms

, . ...

Chilian ROllers' (cru'shing quartz tailings, each toller 12 tons weight)

; 300 Quartz Reefs , 480

.1. ,; ;.i" \ , 80. "Ohurdi Hill ' , ' 4 .. '.," . ' ... 100 New Rl~sh, n.ear Cemetery, Concongella:::' 50 .' 8·' 500;:

... .n 4

THE MACHINERY IS 'AS"FOLLOW8 :~.

ALLUVIAL :!\fINING,

'At Work. Idle. ' Aggregate • Ho .... ·power ,of ,At W~rk.

4 4 3 2,

10" 6

60

1 1 8 5

30 ' 39

Steam Engines,

66

~ .. "

7 P

21 , 4'

.' to

Total ~" t·

"

6 :3

'5

'" ...

----'-

' .. ' ... 1,526

, Number Aggregate of Stamp Horse·power of ;Reads,:- Steam Engines.

338 ~36

, '" ...

; i, ':

Total value of mining' plant in'the division, £61,260. '*' ' .. , " ',' N mnber of square miles of auriferous ground which'is being, or may have been, actually worked

upon, ll&,t . .. ' , Number of distinct quartz reefs -&hichhave beeh actually proved to be auriferous to the"present

time, 17. " " ., . ' , ' , ,Th?price of gold during the quart!lr in the divi~ion has ~een from £~ 168. to ,£3 17s. 6d. per oz.

• Therehave been eonsid!"?ble addit!ous,lnade to the milling plant during the qu"rter •. 1 M,ve ~ot. however, raised the estimated ' value of the m.llllIlg plant In the dlvlsiOn, consldenn.g the new mtWhinery as eqmvnJent to the detenoratl.011 m ,·o,lue of some of the older pla.nt.

t The surface of nearly all the quartz c1a.lms has been worked for alluvial; I have thereforo always included them in the above estimate.

" ,

I '

76

TIlE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS ~EEN OBTAINED RELATIVE TO TIlE QUANTITY OF QUARTZ AND QUARTZ

TAILINGS A,ND CEMENT ORUSHED DURING TIlE QUARTER, AND TIlE GOLD OBTAINED T~EREFROM'

!

N~me of' gompany. Where Quartz, &c., were Quartz "";Ishedo' Average Total Yield of Remarks relative to the

obtained. Yield of Gold Gold. Depth a.t which the per Ton. Quartz was obtained.

,.

Scotchmin's and New ton ewt. qr. oz. dwt. gr. oz. dwt. gr.

Pleasa~t Creek Quartz 1,875 ·0 0 o 10 at 951 11 7 ! From 180 to 280 f'!i: , Mining Company , Chum Reefs

Lamont· and Oompany Oross and Flat ~eefs 1,565 0 0 0 14 0 11,095 10 0 From 360 to 460 ft Moonlig:ht Oompany ' ... Various Reefs , .,. 1,433 0 0 o 11 14t 83L 1 0

Victoria Cgmpany ... Sloan's and Scotch- 1,200 0 0 0 11 6h 675 8 0 260 feet , , man's Reefs

Rose of Denmark Com. Cross Reef ... 1,100 0 0 0 8 21~2 488 4·12 300 feet pany'

North and South Wales Dundee ROOf, Eliza- 47 0 0 1 13 0 7711 0 112 feet I

Company beth Creek . , Total, Quartz 7,220 0 0 on 9~ 4,119 5 19 , ...

Quartz Tailings and ---,

Cement crushed. -Cambrian Company ... Commercia(stree't ... -845 0 0 0 6 13! 276 15 0 ,

North and South Wales' Deep Lead - 790 O. 0 0 6 q 239 19 5 / ...

Company , Alluvial Company -,. Deep Lead . .. 360 0 0 0 4 5! 76 7 0

St. George's Company Quartz Reefs ... 1,920 0 0 0 2 11 236 0, 0

Independent COlIlpany Deep Lead and Four' 280 0 0 0 5 ,0 70 0 0

Posts Tweedy and Company Commercial street .•. 104 0 0 0 4 6 22 2 0

Total, Quartz Tail.} ings and Cement 4,299 0 0 0'4 6~ 921 3 5

•

; QUARTZ.

The new formations ofthe Cross and Sootchm~'sReefs alluded to in my last Quarterly neport are being very suooessfully worked, and have improved,in yield during the quarter. Apparently after working out the old reefs, a new system of reefs has been oome on in this ground, at a very con"iderable deptl)" varying from 350 feet to 460 feet. These appear to take nearly the same COUIse as that of the Old Cross Reef. It is also very encouraging to find that the stone, instead of growing poor as was expeeted by many, is muoh rioher than that taken from higher levels. , ' . An important amalgamation of'olaims has taken place on,the North.Perthshire and'South Sootohman's Reefs, where it is proposed to form a oompany, and erect additional machinery for the more effioient; working of,this ground. , '

,On the Hampshire Reef several olaims have also amalgamated, and work, has again been resumed. , . ,

, The Wild Cat Reef, long abandoned, has again been taken up, and a deep shaft is now'going down with the view of striking that reef at the water level.

The Caledonian Reef has been again prospeoted and abandoned during the quarter. The M Reef has been worked with but indifferent sucoess. 1'he same may be said of

the Mariner's dwts. being the highest prospect obtained. , ' , On the North New Chum Reef an amalgamation of several ~laims has been effeoted, the owners

of which ,are at the present time erecting a small crushing plant. The reef here is easily worked, and requires no burning; so that though not rioh it pays fair dividends. ' •

. The Pleasant Creek Company are at present engaged on the southern surface reef, and have not yet oommenoed sinking for the deep reef. ,

Nothing has yet been done On the New Cross Reef Company's ground, but preliminary steps have been· taken to dispose of the scrip. The lode in this ground is altogether below'the water level, . so that nothing can be done until machinery is obtained. '

", Sloan's Reef still oontinues very productive, in Petrie and Company's and the adjoining claim, the lode having inorease.d from four to seven feet six inches in thiokness. , , , At Elizabeth Creek, the DU!,!dee and Flying Doe reefs are worked with considerable suceess in the two prospeoting olaims, but beyond these no other claim, with but one exoeption; have struok the. reef.' " '. .'

A oonsiderable amount of new machinery has' been added during the quarter, especially by the Saint George's Crushing CompllJlY, who have now ereoted, in addition ,to their old orushing plant seven pairs of Chilian rollers, eaoh weighing twelve .~ns. By the aid of these" together wi~1i improved. tables, they have been enabled to rework the taIlmgs left by other machmes WIth remuneratn:e results.

In cOIl-clusion;r may state that for several years past quartz mining in this division has not had a more, healthy appearance than it at present assumes.' '

77

ALLUVIAL. "

The late rams have again given an impetus to mining Oil the various old gold fields. ,A number of Chinese are working on the Four Posts; Ii few Europeans also have taken up groudd there. Two prospecting claims have been taken up near the Dpep Lead, but no other claims could find payable ground. " .

Sufficient water is not yet obtainable to work any of the sluicing claims, either at Commercial strect or on Church Hill.

The Great Western are still the best alluvial workings in the division. A crushing machine is in course of ereetion at that place, and it is contemplated to erect stealn machinery to test the wet ground at the point where the Wild Cat Lead was lost. '

Within the last three days gold has been struck Ileal' Coneollgella Creek, within two miles of the reefs, the prospeet obtained being 9 dwt~. to the load, the gold being exeeedingly coarse and mixed with black sand. No other claim except the prospectors has bot,tomed up to the present time. The country is quite new in which this discovcry has taken place, so.that there is every likelihood of a g,?od lead existing here. The number of miners on the ground has rapidly incr!,lased from fifty, at which I estimated it shortly after the prospecting claim,wnB registered, to 200. . It has not, however, as yet caused an increase in the mining population of the division, those who have taken up ground being nearly all from the reefs. ' .

.A. good deal of work is now being done along the various creeks in the neighborhood of the older diggings, where advantage has been taken of the late dry Bummer to raise lar~e quantities of auriferj:>Us sludge and other dElposit from mnny waterholes and other receptacles. ThIS is now being vigorously worked over with Berdan mills and compound cradles, and very good wages have been the result in almost f)very case. . •

RAGLAN DIVISION.

M1'. E. W. Bagshawe, MVnVn!J SU1"1Jeym' and Registrar.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OJ!' MINERS IS AS FOLLOWS:-

Europeans. I

Chinese. Total for "'" :Remarks. . . ' Division.

Alluvial Miners ... ... :500 530" 1,030 The estimated popUlation of the division is about same as before, Cement Miners ... ... 4 . .. 4 • viz" 3,500 in a radius of 10 miles . ..

Totals .,. 504 530 . 1,034

• There about 150 Chinese wbo are not miners not included.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINERS IS THUS DISTRIBUl'BD:-

Bea.ufort Sailor's Gully Main Lead... ."

. Sulky and Charlton ."

, .. """,

254 Waterloo.... ... '" 86 Surface Hill and Poverty Point

393 92 Total

THE MACHINERY IS 1s FOLLOWS:-

149 60

1,034

Descrip"on of Maoh.inJlry. ! I Number of I .Aggregate .

.At Work. Idle. ' .Aggregate

~':;~J1:: .At Work. Idle. : Stamp Heads. Horse-~ of , ! Steam gUles. --. ---

Steam Engines, employed in ---i--~:~'-~~--

13 1 150 ... '" ... pumping, winding, and puddling , ... .

Steam Cement Cmsher ... ... . .. . .. 1 E ... 8 10 Puddling Machines ... ... 49 2 ... ... ... ... Whims and Pulleys 17 . 7 ... ... . .. . .. . .. ... . .. Sluices and Toms .. . .. ... '. ... . . .. ... ' .. . .. Whips . .. ... ... ... . .. 1 ... . .. . .. . .. -

I . .. ...

Total value of mining plant·in the division, £9,200.t . N umber of square miles of auriferous ground which is being, or may have been, actually wo.rked

upon, 5. . Nl,lmber of distinct quartz reefs which have been actually proved to be auriferous to' the

present tune, 4 . . The price pf gold during the quarter in the division has be~n from £3 '188. to £3 18s 6d

per oz.' , • •

• Sluices and wms are attached to all the above enumerated macblne~ but none otherwise t Thb! does no~ Inelude the value of claims at work, wblob may be .. u.:..ted at £14,000. .

..

..

78;

ANALY8ED REPORT, SHOWING HOW AND WHERE THE EUROPEAN AND CHINESE MINERS ARE DISTRI-

BUTED, 'ALSO MACHINERY AND PLANT! ETC. , ; • " ,June 30th, 1~?5.

Alluvial . I ': rO I. ·1 .... Population. .:ii, Steam Engines. Cement ' , i, ' Puddling' 8'; Locality. Steam Whilils.: l WhlPS, 'I ~"cbines. Engines. ·S a

European, Chinese. No. H.P. I' a~ : I~'~- -~-- ,,-' -~--' i----I-

Beaufort and Yam Holes 84 60 3 44 6 U!J.ity. Gully 4 ... Sailor's ~hlly ,58 2 26 2 5 Dry Bread 20 ~-Kerrimuir 4 1 I ,5, Jock's Gully 9 55 2' 3 Q

Patterson's Gully 3 I Q ... " Jenkins' Gully 3 20 ' '" ~~.

Old Main Lead 81 129 '. 3: 24 I of 10 h.p. 9 16 l!! Ararat Flat, 20 " Argyle Gully 3 12

f! ... ;;, Charcoal West ... ... " 13 1 1-

" .<? Annie's:W est, 6 • J '.~ •• ;, . , . ~ ..

" .~ :gr .

Clase's G:ully , , 10 '0 ,12 ..,

<I., t" .. \" , .,"., .t ••• ' ..... " , \ ,t, ~ Sawpit Gully West 2 5

, '~' Jonathan's Gully West 52 II Tipperary Gully West 13 " Musical Gully West 39 , , ..... - .' , .. J

Tucker Gully 14 ~ Duncan's Gully 2 ... ~ Brooke's Gully 4 ~ Humbey Lead .... 5 . ....

Sulky Gully 20 . 20 " 2 2 :S Charlton II 1 8 1 4 :::0 Slaughteryard Lead . , ,\22 ", .·1 ".8", :t "·,ll ••• 1 :'2 " ..... ' ... ,S Cosmopolitau Gully

., 4 '" Bagster's 4 11

Rankiu's Point ,,2,' ... t ••• .,. I New King Charlie's Gully 20 "

t", ••• ;~!~}~ ..... 'l!! Shicer Gully .• : . , 21 1 . ·s 2, " Perseverance Gully" " 16 ',4 1, . 12, 2 ..

" ," a Paddy's Gully" ,;. 33 '.',. : •• <- 2 '20' 2 :? Hudson Gully 2 ... 'd

•• ~I " . Musical Gully Eas.t 6 30 ; " ',. ~ .. ~~ Waterloo Hill 4 13 .~

Surface Hill ' ... 8 '''2 ~" Jonathan's East .: .:: i 22 1 Charcoal Gully East 9 ~ ... ."~.'.' " Poverty Point 4 10 2

.. ---'-' - -'~'-- -'-- ------I-I------Totals ' ,504." 530,,'1" 14'.,; " ,·,150.1, ,I oUO b.p. 24 1 51

Ther~ are some half a d~zen other guilies unoccupied, amongst them is Cockney's, which had.20 miners at last return, now.npne. A few miners (Europeans) have goneto Talbot. The Cli.inese,P9ImlaHon is slightly increased. One quartz steam engi,ne ,illld plant have been removed out of th!l divi~ion since last report. ' ": .

. I ha~e' the honor to repOl·t,. for ,the, information of the ,Honorable the Minister of Mines, that during. theq1J;!l;rter v,e,!y !i.~t~e ,QL'iJ+!p,qrtanee4as transpired iu this division in _ mining matters. The

, popl!lation'lias slightly decreased, but the gold return p.as, wa!?taincd' i~s position, probably in conse. quence of a good 'supply of w~ter fr?m the late heavy rams, wlilch l~as gn'en employment· to a number of tub and cradle men III gullies whICh were deserted last quarter. ' ,

:, ~n the immediate neighborhood of Beaufor,t, tlte BanAitti ~ease Company have onlyh~d' a' yield of 186 oz. to I).inetee.n:men for the pl1st1thirteen \w~eks, being but poor wages. The Garibaldi and HORe Co~panies have also paid ~~t poo.r u:~ge~i. ,_T~e Hope. Company have been extremely unfortunate with aCCldent§ and break-downs of theIr niachmery. .

At the Yam Holes Hill a party'of Chinamen purchased a three mcn'selaim for £'15;'and-have :un tunnels and tramw1lYs iuto the hill,· and arc carrying on their works in an'extensive and creditable manner. At the: Old Lead, the usual alluvial mining to puddlers and tub and cradle ,men has b~'e~ carried on with varying success. One steam puddler has been sold, and 'removed t6 the"new'Saxdn Company's lease claim,: Charlton. The Chinese here have been olitaining about ~ Oz. t.o, the'.\:i:u~c~iq~. Green and Company's cement claim have 'had but very poor returns- since last report, Lutming .. and

'Company have had their crushing engine at work, crushing tailings, refuse, and cement, and nave been averaging about £3 p .. r week-per man.', i. ', .... -

At Sulky and Charlton mining is looking )1lUch more.111isk .. Two steam engines have been erected and several leases applied for, hut the' ground is found to be very wet, und a whim elaim has suspended operations on this l\ceount; but what 'gold has been taken out has tended to give an impetus to mining jn t~is loqality which gives pr9mise of ultimate success iu developing a good gold field. - .

. In New King' Charlie's, in shallow ground, tub and cradle men are obtaining good wages, the gold b~ing of a rough and uugg~tty chara~ter.. .'

, At Shicer Gully, O'Hara's whim claim has,paid, for some weeks, a dividend varying from £2,108. to £21 per week for each working share; and t·he -elaim 'below Pollard's averages 1 oz: to the set, or about £5 per week per man. This last'is an engine, claim, and would have paid more hut for frequent derangement of the machinery. :' ',.,' , '

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79 , .

.. • The Bu:t;ke steam puddler!?;, at Paddy's Gully, have averaged, about 25 OZ8. per week since my last report, to a party of fourteen men. The Alfred Lease claim has also been ,paying good wages.

At Waterloo, Messrs. lYIarquand and,Jones have taken up their lease of 100 acr(ls, and are now organising a company, with a large capital, to' work this well known deep gronnd, which has so long lain.idle, in consequence of the very treacherous nature of the soil and the great undercurrent of water. Tliis claim is the natural outlet of over twenty well' defined ahd proved leads, extending from Sulky and Charlton downwards. '

Surface Hill shallow workings are nearl; exhausted; but at New Jonathan's, James and party obtained 7 ozs. for .. the last' week, to a party 0 six men, and have now applied for a lease of 20 acres, and intend erecting steam machinery. ' .-'

Sailor's Gully has maintained its reputation, puddlers and others making good wages. The lease claim of W. Galloway, 50 acres, are tracing the gutter to, the eastward; the ground falling rapidly in that direction prohibits their blocking back, although, with every disadvantage, t)J.ey have been obtaining 10 OZ8. to 30 ozs. per week per man. The Defiance Company, who ha¥e applied for a lease of 30 acres, have sunk their engine shaft to 'a dcpth of 84 feet, -:to feet of it through a very hard basaltill rock, the first instance of this formation being discovered on this gold field; thcy then eame on black olaf' with boulders and drift, and are now sinking into the reef. This claim has quite roused the spirits 0 the miners from their usnallethargy, and I have no doubt' if a good gutter is struck will be t1ie means' of introducing foreign capital, which is m.uch wanted in thfl development of this known profitable and neglected division. :

BA1~KLY; DIVISION. , ..

Mr. John J)'Alton, Mining Survey01' and.RegiBtrar.

THE TOTAL NUMBER,OF MINERS IS,AS FOLLO-WS:-

! I , Chinese, - Toto.! for the , Remarka. , Europeana. ... Division. _ ..

I-~-

Allu vial Miners '" ... 080 180 J,160 The Chinese population ,have Quartz Miners '" ... .., '" '"

decreased considerably within the last two months.

-" .. ---~-.

Totals ... ORO 180 1,160 ,

THE TOTAL NU1.!DER OF MINERS IS THUS DISTRIBUTED :-

Landsborough Snake Lead Malakhoff ... Glasgow Lead Frenchman's Barkly ... Glenpatrick .

Total

THE ~:bcmNl!RY IS AS FOLLOWS:-

60 460 300 100 100 60 80

.1,160

" ALLUVIAL .Mn!Ill!'G. QUAltTZ MINING.

Description or Machines. Number 'Aggregate Aggregate At Work. Idle. of Stamp Horse-Power of At Work. Idle: HQrse~Power of

Heads. Steam Enginos. Stca.m Engines. --- ---,- --- -- -

Steam Engines ... ... 1 '" .. . 12 ... ". . .. Crushing Machine ... ... 1 '" 12 . .. ... .. . . .. Fuddling Machines .. , 16 12 I ... ... ... . .. .. . . .. Whips ... ... ... 6 ... ... ... ... . .. ... Toms ... '" ... 100 ... ... '" '" ... . .. Sluice-boxes ... ... 4 8

i ... . .. ... '" . ..

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'I.'otal value of minin~ plant in the division, £3,200. . Number of square mIles of auriferous ground which is being, or may have been, actually worked

upon, 13t.* . Number of distinct 'quartz reefs which have be on actually proved to' bo auriferous to the present

time,6.' . The price of gold during the quarter in the division has been from £3 16s. 9d. to £3 178, 9d. per 07..

• Thill cstim~te includes the schistose rockll with auriferous quartz veins ill the neightiQurhood of Glendhu,

80 I

THE FOLLOWING 'INFORMATION' HAS BEEN OBTAINED RELATIVE TO THE QUANTITY OF' CEMENT -

CRUSHED DURING ,THE QUARTER AND THE GOLD OBTAINED THEREFROM.

I I ' Where Cement was Average . i Remn.rks relative to the Name of Company. Cement crushed. Yield of Gold Total Y,eld of, Depth at whlch the

obtained: per ton, Gold. Cement was obtained.

. ton cwt. qr. oz. dwt. gr. oz. dwt. gr.

'tveight' Lansborough Crushing Malakoff and Glas-i

400 0 0 0 8 0 160 0 0 estimated Company gow Lead only,

I~-;;-;---------

TOTAL ... 080 160 0 0

-. No 'quartz has.been crushed in this divisi~n, ., .

, In this· division mining matters have undergone considerable impr9'\'ement during the past three months, and the result is a considerable increase in the mining pqpulation. The wet ground, hitherto much neglected, is also attracting attention, both at Landsborough and Barkly, and the formation of one or two companies fqr working both places is now about to take place,

At the Malakoff a small rush took place in' the early part of the present month;. it resulted in nothing l)ermanent. . ' , _' .

,Snake, Lead (otherwise 'Burwood's Lead) continues steadily to extend, and approaehes the wet lead at a considerable distance ahead of the last workin~s on the latter. There are now sanguine expectations of a good lead being met with in this direction. . '

There is very little doing at Barkly Flat. Johnston's diggings" Milkmaid's Gully, and Blue Mouutain patch are altogether abandoned. _ .' .

There has been a considerable "falling off in the Chinese popUlation during the'last quarter, nearly all residing about the .l\oflilakofl:' having gone into the Avoca or Ararat Districts. , No quartz mining has been attempted during the quarLer: . ' ' ,

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" -

By Authority; JOHN FERRES, Government Print~r, Melbourne.

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OF THE MINING SURVEYORS - parliament.vic.gov.au

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