CHRONOLOGY - 1855: Gold Trails

THE OVERVIEW OF THE STATE’S GOLD MINING FOR 1890

GOLD.

The following notes, furnished by the Manager, are inserted, as showing how an abandoned mine may, by good management, be made to pay:-

DESCRIPTION OF THE MITCHELL’S CREEK FREEHOLD GOLD ESTATE, WELLINGTON, N.S.W.

This well-known ground, which has been the property successively of a public company, of two absentee owners, and now of a private co-partnery of foill’ (one being resident), occupies the spot from which gold-bearing stone was said to have been obtained, as early as 1848, by a shepherd from Montefiores named MacGregor (vide Professor Liversidge’s “ Minerals of New South Wales,” page 33), and has been worked as far back as twenty years ago.

The ground comprises an area of 600 acres freehold land, situated close by the Wellington to Gulgong road, about eight miles from Wellington township, in the parish of Bodangorra, and overlying the divisional line between the counties of Bligh and Lincoln.

It is traversed by a strong quartz reef, between walls of hard black diorite, exceedingly well defined, and with every indication of a permanent character.

The supply of quartz, whir h appears inexhaustible, is highly aill’iferous, and is associated with minerals of considerable value-viz., iron and copper pyrites, galena, zincblende, magnesia, alumina, a little carbonate of lime, a little cobalt, and talc; an almost constant average of 18 dwt. gold, 6 oz. silver, and about 5 lb. copper being contained per ton of this lode· matter. The reef, which is traceable a length of 8,000 (eight thomand) feet-viz., for the whole extent of the estate-underlies to the east at an angle of 45°, its strike being N. 15° west, and has an almost invariable width of 2 feet.

Owned originally by a Sydney company, the old “Mitchell’s Creek Gold Mining Company,” and subsequently by Messrs. J. B. Rundle and S. D. Gordon, it was worked at intervals between 1869 and 188l. During these twelve years 2 (two) portions from a central point upon this long line were extensively worked-viz., southwards about 1,600 feet in length, and to various depths, from 10) to 360 feet; and northwards, up-hill, for about 1,800 feet in length, and to depths varying from 90 to 140 feet; the extremities, both northern and southern, remaining unworked.

These operations took place chiefly under a tribute system, the reef being let, in respect of the free gold (but the pyrites being entirely reserved by the proprietors) in sections of 150 feet per working party, upon a royalty of 15 (fifteen) per cent. of the gold obtained.

This arrangement appears to have served well in the upper portions of the reef-naturally the most abundant in free gold-but to have led to prompt cessation of work on the part of the tributors at such points as sulphides began to predominate in the vein· stuff. These workings, completely stoped·out (underhand) from the surface thus exhibit an extremely uneven line of depth.

Upon reaching the water-level operations were discontinued. For the following eight years (1881-1889) no effort was made to resume working the reef, regarded by the owners as consisting thenceforward almost exclusively of sulphides too intricate to treat with profit.

In 1889 the estate was pill’chased by the present proprietary (Messrs. Phillip Davies, T. M. Dalveen, and J. M. Findlay, of Sydney, and James Dick, of Glasgow) for the purpose of reopening the mine. By these owners a shaft upon the sonthern workings has been enlarged and carried down to 440 feet (327 feet through former workings and 113 feet through solid lode), the resources of the mine at this deeper level being thus clearly ascertained, and two levels have been extended below the former workings at depths of 327 feet and 400 feet respectively, these having reached a distance of 220 feet and 213 feet respectively in payable quartz along the entire length opened.

At the lowel’ end of the northern workings a similar shaft (No.2) has been commenced, which will enter the solid at a depth of about 140 feet. On the deeper level reached by present workings the reef averages 2 feet 4 inches over the whole extent of that level, and the quartz here is being fOlll1d more highly mineralised.

The stone (some 30,000 tons) taken out in former years, is recorded to have yielded in free gold about 8 dwt. pel’ ton -a little over 1 dwt. per ton more being accounted for in pyrites. That undue loss had occurred appears from the vast heap of tailings, the whole mass of these averaging 8 dwt. fine gold and about 9 dwt. silver per ton, and containing an inordinate quantity of escaped quicksilver.

A consideration of the difficulties thus apparently experienced by former proprietors has influenced the present owners in the arrangement of their plant. This, though as yet only on a preliminary scale, is of a very substantial and valuable kind, comprising the most improved mechanical appliances for gold saving; an extreme measure of care being bestowed on the amalgamation, which is necessitated by the very finely-divided nature of the gold, not the slightest particle being visible in the stone.

The crushing and concentrating plant consists of a 15-head stamper battery (weight of stamps, 7841b. ; length of drop, 8 in.; speed, 75 drops per minute), discharging through screens (of 180 holes to the sqnare inch) on to an inclined table in front of each (5-head) stamper-box (length of table, 10 ft.; width, 4 ft. 8 in.; pitch of table, H in. per ft.). Electro-silvered copper-plates (2 oz. electro-silver per super. foot) cover 8 ft. 2 in. in length of each table (width,4 ft. 8 in.), the size and spacing of plates being as follows :-Top-plate, 1 ft. 6 in.; space,l ft. 8 in. (occupied by wooden distributing-lozenges) ; 2nd plate, 5 ft. 0 in.; ripple, charged with mercury, here intervenes; 3rd plate, 1 ft. 8 in.; bottom ripple, charged with mercury, here ensues. Superficial area per table, occupied by electro-plates, 38 ft. 2 in. An inclined wooden shoot, at rightangles to the tables, and 4.()0 ft. in length, connects the battery with the grinding and concentrating works, and conveys the pulp from battery to the latter.

Small electro-plates, 1 ft. long 4 in. wide, are laid at several points in this narrow shoot, in transit through which the pulp from battery nndergoes a very marked amount of friction, resulting in the cleansing and liberation of much free gold that has resisted amalgamation in the boxes or on the battery tables.

The shoot discharges into two Lamberton !1:rinding mills (horizontal), foul’ heavy balls in each mill revolving in a circular” race,” whiQh is chal’ged with mercury. These discharge through fine-wire screens on to inclined tables (length,8 ft.; width, 5 ft.; pitch, H in. per tt.) having 6 ft. each of electro-silvered copper-plates (size and spa~ing :-

Top·plate, 3 ft.; space (unoccupied), 2 ft.; bottom plate, 3 ft.; superficial area per table, occupied by electro-plates, 32 ft.).

From this point launders and pipes distribute the pulp to 6 (six) small electro-plated copper troughs, discharging over another electro-copper plate on a wooden “distributingapl’on” attached to Frue-Vanner concentrators, the amalgamation ending here. Of the gold saved in passage through this process, less than 2~ pel’ cent. (two and a half pel’ cent.) is arrested in the battery-boxes, 75tper cent. (seventy-five and a half per cent.) on the battery-tables (on plates 7H per cent .. and in ripples 31 per cent.), and 22 per cent. (twenty-two pel’ cent.) Itt the grinding shed (in mills, on plates, and in Fl’ue-Vanncr feed·troughs).

Six (6) smooth-belt Frue-Vanner concentrating machines receive the residue from” distributing-apron” plates, and separate almost the entire mineral sulphides from the gangue, the tailings thence passing over blankets covered by wire-netting (forming a universal ripple over them) laid npon two wide slime tables slightly inclined.

The slimes collected by these tables are periodically retreated, from the grindingmill downwards. The final tailings from the whole process average 1 dwt. 15 gr. per ton.

The concentrates withdrawn hour by hour from the Fl’ne-Vanner machines are freed of moisture by moderate heating in a brick drying-furnace, being then immediately filled into strong canvas bags. These are despatched for the meantime to public chlorination ,,”orks for further treatment.

Prior to completion and start of this full plant in June last, the present owners ground and concentrated 2,188 tons of the former owners’ tailings, yielding a value of £1,166 14s. lOd. Ft’om June 24th to December 24th, 1890 (the past halfyear), they crushed from the reef (327 ft. and 400 ft. levels, No.1 shaft), 2,362 tons of quartz and 17 tons of old tailings, 01’ 2,379 tons in all, yielding 1,396 oz. 2 dwt. 9 gr. smelted gold bullion (value £4,829 5s. 7d.) and 551 oz. 0 dwt. 20 gr. fine gold (in concentrates), value £2,204 16s., or a total of 1,947 oz. 3 dwt. 5 gr., value £7,034 Is. 7d. An average has thus been obt,ained, in free gold, of 11 dwt. 18 gr. per ton, and in pyrites, of 4 dwt. 15 gr. per ton, or 16 dwt. 9 gr. in all, while only 1 dwt. 15 gt’. per ton escapes in tailings. An average of 9} tons quartz was crushed per week (several stoppages in early part of period reducing the mean considerably), 4 tons 16 cwt. 9 lb. being concentrated therefrom, showing a percentage of 5! per cent. pyrites.

These concentrates, amounting for the six months to 124 tons Iii cwt. 21 lb., averaged 4 oz. 8 dwt. 4 gr. fine goln, n oz. silver, and 4’R2 per cent. copper per ton, and therefore contained as by products, 930 oz. silver, (value, £174 7s_ 6d.) and 5!l- tons of copper (value, £287); no return for these, however, is allowed by the Chlorination, Co., who purchase the concentrates.

The large amount of sulphides in the stone (‘ombined with the extreme fineness of the gold, make incessant attention to the copper plates necessary. Though the stamper boxes are charged with mercury, not 2t per cent. of tbe gold is retained by them. Care is tberefore bestowed in keeping the copper plates iu constant order.

These are dressed 3 (three) times daily (morning, noon, and evening) invariably, a clear surface beiug thus preserved. As 711 per cent. of the gold obtained during the last half year has been saved on them, these measnres are of high utility.

A very small proportion (only 3i per cent.) of the gold saved, results from the ripples (or mercury wells), of which there are two on each table, one at the middle, and one at the lower end. A total superficial area of 114 feet 4 inches is covered by the coppel’ plates (at battery), yet past these, with the six (6) mercury wells, ani! quicksilver in the battery boxes, and notwithstanding painstaking attention to the amalgamation, over 22 per cent. of the gold escapes. T

his flc.ws over 100 yards before it is arrested on the secoud .et of amalgamating tables and wells (at the lower shed) comprising a total snperficial area of 64 feet of electro copper plates (stationery), and about 12 feet in oscillating troughs. Proportionately to each, 5-head of stampers, there is thus in all a super area of 59! feet of stationery electro plates, two stationery mercury wells, and two oscillating electro-plat.ed copper troughs, besides mercury in the Lamberton grinding mills, where pulp from the battery is rough-ground.

“Cleaning up” is carried out with very great regularity; • amalgam being removed once, weekly (Saturday), from the tables only; once fOl,tnightly, from tables and ripples; once monthly, from all sources, including battery boxes, plates in long shoot, oscillating copper troughs, &0.

An interesting feature in the present owners operatious has been the variat.ion in the value of the gold which, commencing at £3 2s. 31d. pel’ oz. in July, has risen progressively throughout the half year to £310s. 5d. per oz. the mean fOl’ this period being £3 8s. 8id. A corresponding variation of the percentage of gold contained by the amalgam is also notable. ‘l’his, beginning in July at 18’87 per cent. (much les.; than a fifth), progressed steadily reaching in August, 26’00 per cent (over a quarter) in September, 33-33 pel’ cent (one thit’d) in October 37’53 pel’ cent. (three-eighths) since which it has been constant at 33 to 34 per cent. The mean fol’ the six months has been 30’16 per cent.

The water supply is obtained from the Mitchell’s Creek on the northern extremity of tIle estate, about a mile and a quarter from the battery.

A Blake pump at this place, steamed from an 8-horse power vertical Tangy boilel’, f”rces the water through 4-inch pipes along the ahove distance to a small reservoir dam behind battery. To assist this supply, which is variable, a tailings pump at the concentrating works returns the waste water from thers, leaving the sand to settle.

The drainage of the mine is affected by the pumps at the No. 1. and No.2. shafts, the discharge from the latter also serving as an auxilial’y supply to the battery. The steam winding and pnmping plants at these shafts are both alike and haul a! ton truck on the underlay by steel wire cable from the extreme depth of the sbaft_

The entire plant erected by the pl’esent owners, compri’es 5 boilers (aggregating 88-horse power) and 5 engines be.ides the Blake steam pump, 22 cords of firewood (128 feet per cord) are consumed weekly, amonnting to £1417s. 6d.

The owners crush on the average 18t tons a day.

The total cost of working, including the management and the heavy charges incidental to realisation of the concentrates, is £182 per week, the average number of men employed being 63. The reef being of fail’ size, remarkably even, and free from disturbances or faults, it is easily and cheaply timbered.

So firm is the ground that the short pt’Ops placed years ago in the underhand stopes worked by former (‘ompany, and open to the surface, are still intact. The stone is tough to work and hard to crush. Its extreme hardness is best shown by the consumption of charcoal for sharpening drills (which is a considerable item of expense and keeps one smith constantly employed), and by the large consumption of explosives (averaging for the half year Is. 4~d. per ton of the stone raised).

Miners of a kind adapted to this ground not being easily procurable, the owners have ,experienced much difficulty in gathering a good staff of diligent, practical miners around them. After many changes, this seems at last to have been secured.

The most powerful explosives and most efficient drill-work are indispensable to success. and a valuable Air rock drill plant (McCulloch’s” Rio Tinto”) which is being imported by the owners, is relied on to materially ….. ~. !reduce the C()st of t>rvlf>wing out stone in the next half year, besides rapidly extending the various levels. From From the present solidity of this lode and its well defined walls from gra9~, to the extreme dept.h (440 feet.) reaclled, B].d throughout the distance (over 3,400 feet.) blocked out to various depths by the former (‘ompanies, it is evidently capable of producing VaEt supplies (>f stone for considerable time and justifies the confidence that it will continue to a great deptb. 1’0 tbe constant personal superTi.ion, forethought, and acumen of the resident owner (and general manager) Mr, Pbilip DaTies, it i. owing that thi$ abandoned mine, now gives promise of ranking as the premier auriferous pyrites qual’t.z-mine of New E’outh Wales.

The plant and machinery may be de~cribed as follows :- Winding and pumping plant, No.1 shaft, comprises vertical Tangye boiler of 10-horse power, steaming horizontal Tangye engine, with winding gear attached; 8l,0 pllmpmg gear, working two 18-inch by 5 pumps, with two ronnect,i]lA-rods (of steam gas-pipe) and 3-inch deliTery pipe. The l’ods rest on friction pulleys, the sbaft going down on the underlay of lode at an angle of 45°. The pump draws tbe water from depth of 437 feet in one column.

A substantial steel rail tramway is laid from top to bottom of the shaft upon which the trucks are bauled by means of steel-wire rope attacbed to drum of the winding !rear. This plant is entirely under a substantially-built wooden shed, covered with galvanised iron.

Winding and pumping plant, No.2 shuft, is a sister plant to the above describrd. Crushing plant, ereeted on the machinery site of the former company, about midway along the reef, consists of a new 27 feet x 6 feet Cornish boiler, with Galloway tubes seated in solid brickwork, and the flues connected with a subGtantial brick stack; an 18-inch horizontal engine, driving 15-head stampel’ battery (weight per stamper, 784 lb.; length of drop, 8 inches; speed, 75 drops per minute) ; inclined wooden tables, 10 feet long, 4 feet 8 inches wide, H inch per fcot pitch, with twa mercury wells on table-one in middle, one at lower end-the intervenin!r space covered by electro-silwred copper-pll’,tes (2 oz. electro-silver per super. foot), in length 8 feet 2 inches, in widt.h 4 feet 8 inches, in front of each box, tho remaining space -1 foot 8 inches upon each table-being occupied by wooden” distributing-lozenges.”

Grinding and concentrating plant, about 400 feet distant from battery, and ronnected with same by narrow wooden shoot, conveying the pulp from stampers. This comprises one 20-horse power double-cylinder Marshall’. portable engine, driving two Lamerton grinding mills imported from Gla”gow. These regrind the tailings after the stampers, and discharge on to inclined tables, 8 feet by 5 feet, with pit~h of Hinch rer foot, covered hy electro-silvered copper-plates in following order :-Top of table, 3-foot plate; space of 2 feet unoccupied; bottom plate, 3 feet.. Distributing shoots (wooden launders) and pipes deliver pulp from grinding mill tables to 6 Frue-Vanner concentrating machines, driven by a Tangye vertical 5-horse power engine, steamed from the Marshall’s portable boiler.

Two 7-inch plunger sand pumps, driTen from the 20-horse power portable engine, return waste water from the tailings dam to the reservoir at battery through 4-inch cast-iron pipes, distance 550 feet. Both battery and concentrating plant is supplied by a ‘line of 3-inch pipes laid down between supply-re.ervoir and the concentrating shed.

The concentrating shed is very sub~taytially built, and measures 100 feet long by 60 feet wide, and 20 feet high, to tIle wall plates. Nearly the whole floor is coarded or bricked, and a lar!!e area is kept in perfect order for depositing and bagging pyrites. The whole of shed is covered wiLh galvanised iron. A drying furnace of l:>rickwork for freeing pyrites from moisture opens from the shed.

The main water supply is furnished by pumping plant at the Mitchell’s Creck on extreme northern end of propmty. A Elake steam-pump, steamed from a steel tubul”!’ boiler, 8-borse power Tangye vertical, pumps from an undercurrent on west bank of the creek, and forces the water through a mile an:! a qUaJter in length of 4·iEch cast-iron pipes to the supply dam at the b.ttery. The buildings comprise a three-roomed office (one compartment for smelting gold, one for assay-weighin!” and the third for clerical purposes, a very complete assay plant being housed here); a substantial residence for general manager; storehome; smith’s shop; explosiVfs magazine (bl’i~kw01h); Ul:d stable. Water is laid on to the office and residence, and eTery precaution provided against fire.

The output of gold, from the opening of the gold-fields to the end of 1890, amounts to 10,220,116 oz” valued at £38,075,172 5s. 7d. The output for 1890 was 127,760 oz., valued at £460,28Ji 16s. 2d., being the largest since 1882, and exceeds the decennial average by 10,60:!! oz., valned at £30,502.

The auriferous country at Pambula bids fair to add considerably to our gold yield, and we may fairly expect a considerable addition from Peak Hill when the mines get into full work.

If some inexpensive method be found of treating pyritous and other gold ores many deposits which are now neglected might be worked, and it is therefore highly desirable that the attention of experts be attracted to this branch of mining industry.

I look forward to a large yield of gold from the extensive deposits which are found in the vicinity of some of our rivers, as soon as the difficulty of bringing water to bear upon such deposits shall have been overcome.

The following extracts, taken from the reports furnished by the Wardene and Mining Registrars, indicate the condition of mining in the several districts during the past year :-

Bathurst District: Sunny Oorner division-gold won £1,877 15s.; Sofala division-gold won £14,568 19s. 6d.; Tuena division£ 5,812 IDs.; Trunkey diV:sion-£4,124168. :1d.; Mount McDonald division-£3,249 13s. 5d· ; Bathurst, Burraga, Oberon, and Rockley divisions-value of gold won £1,368 38. 4d. Orange-The Queen of the Mount, neal’ Ophir, is producing a satisfactory return for the labour expended.

At Forest Reefs, Ovingtonand Co. (aided from the Prospecting Vote) came upon good wash at 96 feet deep, but not supposed to have reached the bottom yet. I

n the Oowra North division, Firth and pal’ty crushed S6t tons for 27 oz. 5 dwt., and from McInnes’ freehold, Tenandra, 21 tons gave 6 oz. 5 dwt. pel’ ton, and now crushing 50 tons expected to yield It oz. pel’ ton.

At King’s Plains, the tributors of North Confidence 00., just started, had one crushing wllich gave 4:1 oz. of gold; the lode is 30 feet wide, and averages 3t dwt. per ton. Mudgee District:

At Hargraves, the Big Nugget Co. crushed, for various small parties, 160 tons of quartz for 306i oz. McGregor and party obtained 33 oz. from 30 tons of quartz. The quartz crushed from the Homeward Bound line averaged 3 oz. per ton.

At Peak Hill, 5 claims (alluvial) in the Eastern Valley obtained payable gold. Cummins and party, the prospectors, have washed 21 loads yielding 35 oz. 10 dwt. 20 gr., besidos 18 oz. G dlYt. picked out by hand. About 1,000 load::> have been brougllt to grass at the I) claims. The depth of the wash is 5 to 6 feet, the depth of sinking being 130 feet. There are also ahout 20 payable alluvial claims working east of the Peak, in additton to the 5 above mentioned; a few parties a1’e still working on the bonlder lead, a tit-oz. nugget having been found there l’ecently. Several parties are prospecting for alluvial leads within 5 miles of Peak Hill. On the lode, the Proprieta1’y Mine has reached 120 feet in depth, and a cutting has been made 116 feet in length; across the auriferous stuff of this cutting 800 tons of material have been taken which is likely to yield t oz. per ton. The Company have crushed 486 tons for a yield of 413 oz. McRae and Co. had 120 tons crushed for a yield of 11 d wt. per ton. Gibson and Co. crushed 72 tons for 75 oz. The other principal holdings have been prevented by litigation, &c.;, from starting. Gold won during the year: alluvial, 6,380 oz.; lode or dyke, 620 oz.; at Tomingley, 500 oz. Tambaroora and Turon District :-Hill End there is a visible improvement in mining matters, chiefly in consequence of Emmett and Hughes, Riley Brothers, and others at Prince Alfred Hill, striking wonderfully rich stone. The first-named party have obtained over 1,018 oz. of gold from 241 tons of stone. and in the adjoining mine C. Suttor has been raising good stone, while Riley and party won 1,156 oz. 4 dwt. as the result of four men’s work. On the Golden Gully line of reef two parties have struck payable stone. At Hawkin’s Hill the Carnelian Company has recently been raising good stone, and Vera and party are said to have cut through a belt of veins all carrying gold. Sofala-rPhe heavy rains in tIle early part of the year enabled parties of men to roughly ground-sluice some of the old alluvial workings. Some of these parties made as much as £200 for six months’ work. Ellis and party, from a reef 3 to 5 feet wide, crushed 510 tons of stone for a yield of 330 oz. The Queensland Company after removing their crushing plant to the mine have crushed 365 tons for 65 oz. 18 dwt. 12 gr. of gold. The dyke from which the crushing stuff is taken is very wide, and a small yield should pay if a large quantity be put through. East of Razorback some men are working new alluvium, depth 30 to 35 feet, with 3 feet of wash. Lachlan District :-Forbes-The Pinnacle Company during the early part of the year were prevented by scarcity of water from working. They rai~ed 800 tons of stone, of which 200 tons crushed gave fair returns. Parkes-At Hazelhurst Proprietary Company Mine 200 ions of stone crushed yielded 844 oz., and there is 1,600 tons at grass. The reef at the bottom of the shaft is 5 feet wide. In the stapes the reef averages 4 feet, and the stone shows gold freely. The Gladstone Company crushed 100 tons of stone for a yield of 248 oz. of gold, the reef averaging 2 feet in width. Barnett’s Reef Company at Tichbourne obtained 170 oz. of gold from Hj tons of stone. At Alectown a large number of men (say 500) are prospecting under permits. The alluvial deposits are shallow, dry, and easily worked, and appear to extend a considerable distance, giving remunerative employment to a large number of miners. The puddlel”s returns show 5,574 oz of gold won from 11,149 loads of wash. Four large reefs have been discovered near the town, the stone from which looks promising. At Boney’s Rocks, Cudal, there arc four claims at work. From a vein 10 inches wide in the London cb,im, 40 tons crushed gave 3 oz. per ton. Nin3 tons from Shield and party’s claim treated at the Clyde works produced IS oz. of gold. At Paling Yards, Court and party, working on a soft lode from n to 6 feet wide, have crushed 295 tons, yielding from G to 8 dwt. per ton. At Cargo the Iron-clad lode is 3 to 4 feet wide, made up of small veins of pyrites and quartz. After the pyrites is picked out the stone yields from 1 to 3 dwt. of gold, and 10 per cent of concentrates which average 3 oz. per ton. Between 500 and 600 tons have been treated during the year. At Canowindra the reef in the Blue Jacket Mine averages 18 inches. During the year 650 tons crushed gave It oz. per ton, and 22 tons of tailings gave 10 oz. 12 dwt. per ton. The ground is soft and easy to work. On Haye’s line of reef M’Intyre and Co. have crushed 90 tons of stone for It oz. per ton. At Delany’s Dyke, about 14 miles from Molong 1,630 tons of stone have been treated for a yield of 820 oz. At Grenfell two alluvial claims at the Quondong are on payable gold. On the Enterprise Reef one mine is putting out payable stone, and at Lawson’s Reef one mine is raising stone said to be payable. At Sandy Creek Alsop and party obtained t oz. per ton from 80 tons. At Creamy Hills Euabalong Cabot and party at G5 feet deep struck a reef 2~ feet wide, about 10 inches of which shows gold freely. The reef appears to improve in depth. The country around is well worthy the attention of prospectors. At Young gold raised 4,829 oz. 2 dwt. 23 gr., valued at £18,477 14s. lld., the South Burrangong Company contributing about £9,000 and the Cunningar Reef about £1,300. At Temora the output of gold for the year was only 474 oz. 1,800 loads of wash-dirt puddled averaged 2t dwt. per load. From Hennsler’s prospecting claim 18 tons of quartz crushed gave 100 oz., and 30 tons gave GO oz. At Sebastopol a quantity of stone is ready £01’ crushing. There are said to be numerous reefs that under good management with requisite capital would pay well. Junee output of gold 230 oz.; Cootamundra output of gold 321 oz. At Barmedman 1,002t tons of stone crushed yielded 327 oz. 0 dwt. 12 gr. The greater part of the mines are idle for want of appliances to work beJow the water level. Near J unee Reef Dillon and party are said to have bottomed at 30 fe)t on qua,·tz wash, showing colours of gold. At Eurongilly 4H tons from the Enterprise claim yielded 67 oz. Seven tons crushed from the Pioneer claim yielded 19t oz., and 35 tons from the Victoria Reef gave 4H oz. Tumut and Adelong District :-There is now a prospect of the value of the large river flats at the Gundagai being tested. Borings on the flats have given indications of a heavy gold-bearing deposit at depths varying from 60 to 100 feet. The water is so heavy that the deposit can be worked only by the aid of powerful machinery, but if anyone of the three parties now prospecting should find payable gold a very large area will probably be opened up, giving employment to a great number of miners. At South Gundagai Mr. Lindley has opened a valuable alluvial gold-mine on his private pr0perty on the banks of the river. Up to the present he has won about 300 oz. of gold. The lead or deposit appears to trend across the river towards the extensive flat on the north side. On Higgins’ lease, adjoining Lindley’s land, a similar deposit has been found by means of a series of bores. About 5 miles further south from Gundagai Mr. M’Inerney is opening up an alluvial lead on his property at Stony Creek; the prospecting shaft first struck payable wash at 40 feet on a false bottom; the shaft being continued down reached the lower or main lead at 85 feet, containing more gold than the upper wash. There is upwards of a mile in length of this lead in Mr. M’Inerney’s property. The lead is said to have been proved to be nearly 200 feet in width. Two properties below M’Inerney’s, known respectively as Annett’s and Edwards’, have been tested by boring, and the same lead proved to extend through them. These discoveries have given quite an impetus to alluvial prospecting, which will probably lead to other discoveries. .At Adjungbilly Creek some extensive alluvial works are in progress, such as constructing tail-races. At Adelong the yield of gold is set down at 4,931 oz. 9 dwt. 6 gr., of which 1,562 oz. 8 dwt. is :hom quartz, the Reefer Battery having crushed 869 tons for 1,062 oz. 8 dwt., and the Perseverance Battery 499 tons for 500 oz. The bulk of the alluvial gold was obtained from Mr. A. D. Shepard’s lease. Phillips and party have won 100 oz. from their creek claim; the run of gold is likely to be traced into private property. The Manager of the Proprietary Mine reports having crushed 300 tons of quartz for 683 oz. of gold, and 143 tons (seconds) for 85 oz., the vein being 1 foot wide. From the Lady Mary Mine Gap Reef 194 tons yielded 129 oz. 6 dwt. 14 gr., and 76 tons (seconds) yielded 22 oz. 11 dwt. of gold. The shaft on the western channel has been let to tributors, who raised 12 tons of stone, which yielded 2t oz. per ton; this vein is well defined, but small. The opening of the deep lead under the basalt at Cherry Hill, about 10 miles from Tumberumba is an important event, as it may lead to other mines bemg opened, as the lead extends some 20 miles, with breaks here and there. The ground has yielded well so far. AJves & Co. are working vigorously opening up the eastern lead at Watson’s, about 5 miles from Tumbel”Umba. The Burra Company, the largest sluicing company in the division, has been engaged on dead work nearly all the year, which has reduced the yield of gold for the year. The sluicing claims on Tumberumba and Back Oreek, and on the Tarcutta, are doing well. A fail’ sized reef has been openeJ about 20 miles from Tumberumba, from which quartz showing gold has been obtained. The quantity of gold raised in the division during the year was about 1,600 oz. Hertzog and party at Mount Pleasant, neal’ Albury, obtained 56 oz. of gold from 36 tons of stone. Messrs. Wilson and Day, after sinking 103 feet, came upon an apparently valuable body of stone, but they have been prevented by a flood from working it. The yield of gold in the Albury Division during the year was worth £1,155. Southern District :-A large extent of land has been taken up at Yellow Spring Oreek on the great auriferous drift deposit on the Shoalhaven River. A 00mpany has been formed to work this drift deposit at the Oallen Orossing, and another 00. has commenced operations at Spa Creek. Should these companies succeed, their operations will doubtless bring into notice these immense auriferous deposits. The auriferous drift-bed which underlies large areas of the basaltic hills at Kangaloon, &c; , appears to be precisely similar in character to the great Shoalhaven deposits, th0ugh carrying less gold, and so fine as to be exceedingly difficult to save. The first occurrence of this auriferous drift-bed is at Wild’s Meadow, Burrawang, where it outcrops under a basaltic hill known as Grice’s Farm, and thence in many other places trending northerly to the Mittagong Gold-fields, a distance of 8 01’ 10 miles. Its outcrops show it to be 2 01’ 3 miles in width, and there is reason to believe it will in places prove to be 100 feet in thickness. Quartz pebbles and boulders in this drift contain gold. Over 1,000 oz. of gold have been won from the Dansfield Estate, at Jembaicumbene, in the Braidwood division. There is a great quantity of private land in the locality yet untouched. At Major’s Oreek, the gold won amounted to 545 oz. 13 dwt. 8 gr. The prevailing opinion that the reefs in the Little River division do not carry gold to a depth, but this idea has been dispelled by the Day Dawn Co. cutting a reef at 200 feet deep, from which 120 oz. of gold was obtained from 25 tons of quartz. There is a great extent of alluvial ground suitable for sluicing in the Little River division. There are several companies in the N erriga division engaged in constructing dams and races for sluicing extensive deposits of wash on the banks of the Shoalhaven and tributaries. The quantity of gold won in the Araluen division during the year was 2,675 oz. 10 dwt., viz., 2,600 oz., from alluvium, and 75 oz. 10 dwt. from quartz. The New Koh·i-noor 00., at Captain’s Flat, crushed 4,8liQi tons tons of are for 823 oz. 12 dwt. of gold. The Oaledonian 00., at Yalwal, have over 200 tons of stone at grass, a parcel treated at the Mint yielded 14 oz. to the ton, and 50 tons crushed at the old Homewardbound Oo.’s battery yielded over 3~ oz. pel’ ton. The Star 00., south of Homeward-bound, has a lode 12 feet wide, two parcels of 1 ton each, from which was tested at the Mint-one yielded 5 dwt. and the other 11 dwt. The Brewery 00., at Micalago, have about 150 tons of stone at grass ready for crushing; width of reef, 2 to 6 feet; and they have purchased a 10-head battery, &c.; The original prospe~r at Oolinton, W. W. Quigg, treated 390 tons of stone for 254 oz. of gold, the reef varying from 4 incltes to 3 feet 6 iuches. Bradley and party have sunk three shafts on veins, all showing gold; crushings averaging 10 dwt. per ton. At Fiery Oreek 182 tons of stone crushed gave 193 oz. of gold. A trial crushing from a gossan reef yielded 3 oz. per ton. At Pambula there are now three crushing plants completed, two in course of erection, and two very large ones projected. The prospector’s shaft is 120 feet deep, There are 100 miners at work on the field. At N errigundah, Anderson and Mitchell (aided from the prospecting vote) have struck a rich lode at a depth of 115 feet; width of reef 2 to 3 feet. The”’vV andella 00. have raised some stone from below the water level, which surpasses in richness anything previously found in the mine. Several parties are winning good returns of gold from alluvium, chiefly creek claims in the Nerrigundah division. At Ooolagalite a rich leader has been struck in Riley’s prospecting claim, one ton treated at Mount Dromedary yielded 14 oz. 15 dwt.·; depth of shaft, 100 feet; width of vein at that depth, 2 feet; 50 tons at grass. There are several other mines on gold, aud the reef promises to be of great importance. Gold has been found at Punkally below high-water mark and traced to a reef in the adjoining main land. The reefin Hobbs’ lease at Ourrowan is 3 feet wide, 100 tons of are at grass, and gold is seen in the stone on the adjoining lease. On No.1 North, a reef ab(lut 4 feet wide has been opened out showing gold. At Bumbamalla the prospectors have sunk four shafts on the reef, and have a quantity of stone at grass. Hobbs and party have 80 tons at grass, and several other parties have raised quantities of stone ready for crushing. At Bullock Oreek Ray’s prospecting claim and other mines show good gold. At the Italian mine, Turlingah, a lal’ge quantity of stone has been raised, and Mr. Leoni is now looking for suitable machinery. Hunter and Mac1eay District :-At Oopelaud 243 tons quartz crushed for 132 oz. of gold. Andrew Olark has a reef from 6 inches to· 2 feet 6 inches wide showing gold; no stone crushed yet. The Belmore 00. raised 33 tons which yielded 47 oz. The Granville Co. raised 30 tons of stone which yielded 15 oz. The United Reefs Co. raised 150 tons which yielded 70 oz. The Black Prince 00., width of reef 2 feet to 4 feet; 30 tons of stone at grass; not yet started to crush. At Coolongolook the Mountain Maid Co. has about 40 tons of stone at grass, but has not yet crushed. AtDeep Oreek (Kempsey Division) the Deep Oreek 00. have sunk 170 feet, the 25 to 30 feet they have been sinking in the heart of the lode; nothing but rich stone all around them. They have driven 12 feet and have not yet reached either wall. A small parcel of the stone was sent to England on trial, but it was sold for £7 per ton. A pa,rcel of 52 tons sent to the Olyde Works, and was there sold on assay at 4 oz. 17 dwt. per ton of gold and a trace of silver. The Co. have 100 tons of pyrites (first-class) at grass, besides hundreds of tons of stone which it is thought will pay when the plant is erected. Anderson and party have very encouraging prospects on the same lode. Alluvial gold has been found on the sea beach at three different points, but owing to its fineness special appliances are required for saving it. Some rather coarse gold has been found on Taylor’S Arm. Peel and Uralla District :-In the Scone division 4,500 tons of stone crushed at the various batteries gave 3,800 oz. of gold. At Stewart’s Brook the United Bluey 00. crushed 2,000 tons for 1,560 oz. of gold; average width of reef, 2 ft. The Ethel May Co. crushed 1,300 tonI’! of stone for 555 oz. of gold; reef large, some places as much as 10 feet wide; average width, 3 feet. A trial crushing of 2 tons from the Teddy Morgan mine gave 5 oz. 5 dwt. of gold. The Terry 00. crushed 42 tons for 24 oz. 9 dwt., and 59} tons 52 oz. 9 dwt. Twenty tons crushed from the Little Nell claim, south of the Great Britain and Mountain Maid mines, gave 9 oz. 13 dwt. From the Alice mine, top end of Stewart’s Brook, one crushing of 13 tons averaged 1 oz. 4 dwt. per ton; another of 12 tons yielded It oz. per tall; width of reef, 4 to 8 inches, increasing in depth. From the Pride of the North mine one crushing of 18 tons in Sydney yielded 2t oz. per ton; another of 45 tons treated locally yielded 14 dwt. pel’ ton. A crushing of 7 tons from the Lady Maude mine gave 13 dwt. per ton. On the Denisou Field the Newcastle Co. crushed 600 tons of stone from Fuller’s reef for 1,076 oz. of gold; average thickness of reef 16 inches; the tailings are heavily charged with pyrites. Taylor and party have struck very good stone. At Mount Misery (Nundle division) 1.11’. Norris has struck a payable run in the cement lead, wash 8 feet thick and a good width. The Peel River Proprietary Co. have raised l,005~ tons of stone which was crushed at their own battery, and yielded 298 oz. 7 dwt. 23 :gr. of gold. The Lady Mary Co. at Happy Valley crushed 250 tons for 50 oz. of gold. The Royal Mountain, Hanging Rock, crushed 28 ~ tons for 33 oz. Isaacsohn and Thompson obtained some very rich specimens at Hanging Rock -33 tons gave 8 oz. per ton. One 01’ two sluicing parties are making good wages on old C ground at Bowling Alley Point. Two new fiehls have been opened, namely, NianguIa, 30 miles from Walcha and 47 from Tamworth, and Swamp Oak, 10 miles from Niangula and about equi. distant from Tamworth and Walcha. At Niangula there are three or four payable claims; the deepest shaft, the prospectors’, is 65 feet deep, but there is no battery on the field to treat the stone. At Swamp Oak there are eight or ten good claims; the reefs average about 15 inches. The greatest depth reached is 40 feet on the Tichbourne reef, It to 2 feet wide. A trial crushing in Sydney is said to have yielded IIi oz. per ton. The country for 20 miles below the rush [is similar formation, with veins crossing it at intervals. At Bullawa Oreek (Narrabri) the prospectors (Sheppard and party) washed one load, and obtained 1 dwt. 17 gr. of gold, besides 12 small diamonds. At Melrose the Enmore Co. had a trial crushing of 10 tons, which gave 11 oz. per ton, but subsequent crushings gave less than 2 oz. per ton. The mine was closed in November last. This caused other mines, supposed to contain payable gold, to be abandoned, with the exception of a few miners who are erecting a 5-head battery to prospect the reefs. The Oomet reef, on private peoperty about 12 miles north of Hillgrove, is from 5 to 7 feet wide and can be traced for 40 chains. About 10 tons of stone, tested in Sydney, gave 1 oz. per ton of free gold, the concentrates assaying 8 oz. per ton. The Garibaldi 00. have crushed 842 tons of stone for 739 oz. of gold. The Sunlight 00 crushed 2,009 tons of stone for 1550 oz. of gold, and 310 oz. of silver; lode about 6 feet wide. Baker’s Oreek 00. have three reefs, one (average width 15 inches) giving an average yield of 2 oz. per ton; one 2 feet wide, average yield about 12 dwt; and a new reef which averages It oz. per ton. They crushed :dnring the year 5,725 tons of :stone for 1l,476t oz. of gold. The Lady Oarrington 00. have a lode of quartz and antimony carrying gold; about to erect furnaces; have about 160 tons of concentrates ready for treatment. The Baker’s Oreek North 00. have a lode about 8 inches wide, carrying gold. The Starlight 00. have a lode about 6 inches wide of quartz and antimony. A trial crushing of 8 tons gave 6 oz. per ton of gold. The Eleanora ;00. have a lode of quartz and antimony about 8 feet wide, intersected by a sandstone dyke about 4 feet wide; quantity of gold won during the year, 1,640 oz. The Golden Gate 00. have a reef 2 feet wide, a crushing of 300 tons from which gave 170 oz. of gold. They have also two other reefs from which they have obtained fair prospects. The Earl of Hopetoun 00. have a lode of quartz and antimony from 6 to 60 inches wide. A trial crushing of 5 tons gave about 4 oz. of gold per ton. About 250 tons of stone at grass, waiting erection of plant. The Glen Morrison 00. at Glen Morrison have 100 tons of stone at grass awaiting crushing. Boggy Oreek Hydraulic Sluicing 00. (Walcha division); average earnings £2 per week per ‘man. At Kookabookra Butcher’s Reef 00. treated 150 tons of quartz EoI’ 400 oz. of gold. The Bear Hill Proprietary Oo.’s reef is 12 to 15 inches wide, carrying gold; 800 tons at grass ready for crushing. The Starlight reef, Oakwood Gully, about 10 miles from Bear Hill, averages about 3 feet wide; prospects considered good. The Adeline Mine at Drake having been tested in depth, the lode, which is 4t feet wide, is found to contain are composed of copper, iron, and galena, containing gold. 40 tons of this are has been reduced to matte containing gold, silver, and copper, at the Glen Smelting Works, and it was thought it could be worked at a profit by having the appliances on the mine, but havmg erected the necessary furnaces and reduced 100 tons of are to matte, it was found the cost of treatment was too great. 417 tons of are have been raised, and 140 tons treated as above-mentioned. Rivers and party {Lady Jersey Mine), about 6 miles south of Drake, struck ‘payable gold. The are contains copper and iron pyrites, and free gold, the lode being about 18 inches, but the associated rock on either side of the lode is impregnated with gold to a distance of about 2 feet, so that the gold-bearing material is from 5 to 6 feet wide. 480 tons of are have been treated for 1,617 oz. of gold. At Mount Carrington a small vein was found by Manley and 00. which has at a depth of 20 feet opened out to 5 feet wide, estimated to yield 3 to 4 oz. per ton. Barker and party, south.east of Manley and Co., have had 12 tons crushed, yielding 5 oz. per ton. At Nana Oreek (Grafton) Thompson and Mathews llad 25 tons of stone crushed for 23 oz.; reef 18 inches wide. From the Jubilee Mine 197t tons gave 224 oz. 5 dwt.; average width of reef, 1 foot. No.1 West, 25t tons gave 25t oz. Forbes and 00., Bella reef, 159 tons gave 247 oz. 19 dwt.12 gr. N ana’s Daughter 00., 53 tons gave 58 ~ oz. After heavy gales about 100 men find profitable employment between Ballina and Byron Bay washing the beach sand. In places the sand pays well, but the appliances are not of the best. The prospecting party found coarse gold in several places in the locality of Byron Bay, but were unable to contend with the heavy influx of water. About 800 oz. of gold won in the Lismore division. Oobal’ District :-The Occidental 00. were engaged the greater part of the year erecting machinery &c.;, which was ~ompleted early in December last; since then 140 tons of stone crushed yielded 118 oz~ 10 dwt. of gold. In the Ohesney North a lode 8r feet wide of blue and green carbonates was struck, from which two trial crushings gave 12 dwt. per ton. The Ohesney Oobar 00. worked through the yeaI’, ~, but the Warden could obtain returns for the last five months only, namely, 880 tons crushed yielded 586 oz. of gold. Two trial crushings from a lode 20 feet wide in the Fort Bourke Mine averaged 3t dwt. The Jubilee are raising promising stone. At Mount Hope Uiley and party reported the discovery of gold at Iron-stone Hill in a lode 01’ dyke GO feet wide; yield, about 8 dwt. per ton. Upon the south and east occurs a lode composed of ferruginous felspathic ore from 20 to 25 feet wide, carrying free gold apparently equal te about 2 oz. per ton. The lode has been laid bare about 50 feet in length. At the Mount Dromedary Mine, about 10 miles north of Mount Hope, gold is found in a lode about 30 feet wide where opened, and said to be something like 1 oz. per ton; 10 tons were sent to Melbourne for treatment some time since, said to have yielded 16 dwt. A parcel of 5 tons is being prepared for treatment at Parkes. Albert District.-At Cawker’s Well, 37 miles west of Wilcannia, gold was discovered about two years ago; the reefs have been opened to a depth of 100 feet. One reef is’ 2 feet wide at the surface, and has increased in width to 2t feet. Assays have been made, the resnlts averaging from It to 3 oz., one from the “Golden Ridge” yielding as high as 19 oz. per ton. Bulk samples have been sent to Victoria; 5 tons from the” Golden Ridge” tested at Sandhurst yielded 5 oz. 2 dwt. of gold. A small parcel tested at the School of Mines, Ballarat, yielded at the rate of over 1 oz. pel’ ton. At a mine due south of the” Golden Ridge” three reefs have been discovered, an assay of stone from one giving 2 oz. 17 dwt. per ton. The Peak Tank Mine is about 82 miles from Wilcannia, on the Mount Brown Road. At Stringer’s Hill, in the Milparinlm division, a fair amount of work has been done by a large number of miners, but with a plentiful supply of water double the number could find payable ground in this locality. The average depth of sinking is 90 feet, with about 4 inches of wash, and the average yield is estimated at 9 dwt. per load. The principal returns are :-Campbell and party, 240 loads for 222 oz.; depth of sinking, 75 feet; wash, 10 inches; Mercer and party, 197 loads for 96 oz.; depth, 80 feet; wash, 9 inches. The surfacing at Mount Browne has yielded from ~ dwt. to 2 dwt. to the load; the quantity of surfacing is practically unlimited. The wash in the Mount Browne Co.’s mine varies from 1 to 5 feet, yielding 3 to 12 dwt. per load, but the quantity of water in the mine equals 45,000 gallons per twenty-four hours. A t the Good Friday the returns principally from surfacing averaged 1 t dwt. per load. At Eyan’s Gully fair returns were obtained so long as thtl water lasted. Around Tibooburra good wages can still be made so long as the water lasts. The quantity of gold won in the division is estimated at 2,210 oz. The number of miners engaged in gold-mining, more or less constantly during 1890, was 12,589, being an increase over 1889 of 2,397. The number engaged in alluvial mining was 5,597 Europeans and 107 Chinese = 6,304. The number engaged in quartz mining was 6,285-all Europeans. There is an increase in each class of miners as compared with 1889, but the increase in alluvial miners far exceeds that of the quartz miners. Dividing the quantity of gold won by the number of miners, the result obtained is that each miner appears to have earned 10 oz. 3 dwts. of gold, valued at £36 11s. 3d. during the year, being less by £6 Os. 6!d. than the average earnings in 1889. A reference to the reports of the Wardens and Mining Registrars will however show that a large proportion of the miners have been engaged in prospecting. And it must be remembered that several new or comparatively new fields, from which little or no returns have yet been obtained, have attracted large numbers of miners, many of whom have been engaged in preliminary works. As for example, Pambula, Niangala, Swamp Oak, &c.;, to say nothing of the men engaged on works preparatory to extensiye sluicing operations.

MINES INSPECTOR SUMMARY

GOLD.

Hill End. Looking at the prospects of the mining industry of Hill End at its present juncture, they are on a more permanent and legitimate footing than they have been for years past; but there is nothing new to cause any great excitement.

Any visitor to Hawkins’ Hill must be impressed with the idea that a large amount of capital and labour has been wasted through the large number of shafts sunk in close proximity to each other.

I have frequently expressed the opinion that the resources of the precious metal in Hawkins’ Hill are not exhausted, but that their partial failure must be attributed to the small area of former holdings, each company being obliged to keep a staff of officers, such as legal managers, mining managers, board of directors,&c.;, &c.; also to the want of actual working capital.

Hawkins’ Hill has the natural advantage that most of its mines could be worked by tunnel, either commenced from the Turon or Sawpit Gully. Following the line of veins, within the short distance of 1 mile, backs could be obtained from 1,400 to 1,500 feet in height; the water could thereby be drained, levels opened at various distances, and the whole of the mines could so be worked in an economical and systematical manner, and a crushing and gold-saving plant could then be placed at the mouth of the tunnel.

The Quartz Ridge Mines are situated about 15 miles from Hill End. These mines yielded large returns of gold in former years, but, owing to the lenticular system in which these quartz veins occur, they in some instances pinched out, and in others the yield of gold fell off very considerably.

Very little, however, was done by the then shareholders to sink for new shoots of gold or prospect for the continuation of these reefs at a gl’eater depth, the deepest level being about 200 feet.

There is, therefore, a great probability that if these reefs were sunk upon to a greater depth, and opened out in a systematical manner, that they may again prove remunerative, and profitably employ a large number of persons.

There is a 10-stamp battery on the reef near Read & Co.’s mine in fair order and condition, which with repairs and some additional gold-saving appliances, could be made efficient for pre~entpurposes.The principal mines at work at Wattle Flat were the Big Oakey Proprietary and Ellis Bros’. Mine. The latter company were assisted out of the Prospecting Vote, and obtained payable gold, through which a number of persons will find profitable employment.

Ellis Bros. have erected crushing and gold-saving appliances, and obtained payable crushings before the end of the year.

At the Big Oakey Proprietary Mine, extensive prospecting operations are still carried on under the able management of Mr. R. Spencer, of Sofala.

A shaft has been sunk to a depth of 200 feet, and substantially timbered. The 200-feet level has been opened both easterly and westerly in a systematical manner, to the credit of all concerned.

At the time of my inspection the western level was in 113 ft. 6 in., and the eastern level 250 feet from the shaft. A quartz-vein was intersected in the eastern level 85 feet and in the western level 35 feet from the sbafts respectively, both veins carrying gold. In the former vein a patch of very rich auriferous pyrites was met with; but very little work has been done on this vein to prove its intrinsic value.

It appears to me that if the company had raised up on the vein and opened out on it profitable results might have heen the cOllsequence.

The characteristic of the diorite formation is that quartz-veins occur irregularly, and the gold occurs in shoots or patches.

This plucky and enterprising company’s land embraces all the Big Oakey and Surface Hill quartzveins, some of which have proven highl.V payable on the top levels, but none of which have been tested to a greatel’ depth than 100 feet. It is advisable for the company to extend both their easterly and westerly levels, so as to intersect all the several quartz-veins known to exist in their propel·ty.· .

Upper Turon, known as the British Lion Reef, situated on a high hill near Lamb’s Gully, and on the bank of the Turon River. A tunnel has been driven into the hill 150 feet in length, arid a narrow quartz-vein has been intersected showing a little gold. This tunnel might be further extended with good prospects of success, as the geological indications are certainly very favourable for the occurrence of auriferous quartz-veins.

In the 80fala District, the mine known as the Qlleenslander is the only one which employs a number of persons. The mine, or rather the quarry, from which the crushing stuff is obtained is a diorite dyke, through which occurs a network of small quartz-veins containing gold. PY1’amul, Windeyer, aniJ Hargraves.

Very little mining with the exception of sluicing is now carried on on the once famous Pyramul Diggings. With the exception of the reefs near Clark’s Creek, such as the .Tubilee and one or two others, the searching for and working large quartz-veins is likely to lead to disappointment. The quartz generally throughout the district has a barren appearance, although a few isolated specimens of gold may be discovered.

Small fragmentary or disconnected quartz-veins may, however, be met with, containing rich patches and short shoots of gold. Hargraves, one of the oldest and richest gold-fields in New South Wales, is also very dull.

The principal miue at work is the Hargraves or Eureka G.M.C., who have fair prospects of success. The geological formations of the Hargraves District are certainly v.ery favourable for the existence of payable auriferous quartz-veins.

One of the greatest drawbacks of the district for successful mining is that water is generally met with at shallow levels, such as about 100 feet from surface, which, however, can be overcome by suitable pumping machinery.

>

Mitchell’s Oreek, Wellington. The principal mining operations cal’l’ied on are those of the Mitchell’s Creek Freehold Gold Estate, which is situated about 8 miles from Welliugton.

This valuable mining property has been lying unproductive for about ten years until about two years ago, when Messrs. J. M. Finley, T. M. Dalveen, and Philip Davies purchased the property, which consists of 600 acres freehold, their object being to treat with improved machinery, and concentrate the 30,000 to 40,000 tons of tailings which had accumulated from former years’ crushings, and which they believed contained a large percentage of auriferous pyrites and free gold; also to thoroughly develop at a greater depth than hitherto attained the whole line of auriferous quartz veins, which can be traced along the surface for over 3,000 yards.

These reefs had on the top levels yielded large payable returns, but through the defectIve machinery then in use the brown or decomposed pyritous quartz was only sought after and considered payable, whereas the quartz, heavily charged or impregnated with auriferous sulphides, or refractory ores, was neglected and considered worthless.

The enterprising spirit of Messrs. Dalveen, Finley, and Davies, associated with Mr. James Dick, of Glasgow, has already proved that the supposed pyritous quartz in their mine is of great value, which practical results have fully demonstrated. These quartz veins occur in the porphyry and diorite formations, and I am not aware of any quartz veins in New South Wales which can be traced with greater regularity. Several levels have been opened in No.1 underlay shaft, to a depth of 437 feet, and along the line of reef for fully 175 feet, and although the yield of gold so far obtained out of these levels has been sufficiently large enough to meet current expenditure, the opening out and securing of the underground workings have so far prevented profits being made.

Already £15,000 has been well and judiciously expended under the general management of Mr. Philip Davies in purchasing and erecting the crushing, grinding, amalgamating, and other gold-saving appliances, ready to put into full operation as soon as the mine is thoroughly opened; and when it is considered that fully 6 per cent. of auriferous refractory pyrites, valued at about 4 oz. of gold per ton, are saved, results speak for themselves as to the future prosperity of the mine.

This is one of the most extensive and bonafide gold-mines in this Colony, and the present plucky owners deserve every possible justifiable encouragement, because, should they succeed, as very probably they will, the whole Colony will be benefited thereby. I have, &c.;, W. H. J. SLEE, F.G.S., Chief Inspector of Mines. The