BENDIGO QUARTZ REEFS.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 6, 15 December 1869, Page 5

BENDIGO QUARTZ REEFS.

Several new buildings have boon commenced at Logantown within the past fortnight, among wliich may bo mentioned Mr Perriara’a store, Mr Horrigan’s hotel, and Messrs Hamilton and Barclay’s bil-liard-saloon—the latter having been erected by Mr C. Golclough. A much-felt want has been supplied iu tho erection by Mr Francis Mercer of temporary premises for dining-rooms. The proprietor intends, wo are informed, to build a permauent-stmc-ture on the site of the-present erection. The township now.bcgins to assume a more •settled and permanent aspect, and the holders of claims have in many instances started to work on their shafts with energy and vigour. A very great amount of dissatisfaction is expressed in consequence of the Warden having granted the application of the owners of the Bendigo Reef (Messrs Logan, Goodger, Garrett, and Ebden) for the exclusive right to the only water-race in the vicinity of the reefs. In Oolclough’s claim, the party are still following the reef, and the prospects con'tinue good. In No. 1 west of Colclough’s claim, work has been started, and the party have found a very rich leader, which they are now following. Harp of Erin (No. 2 west of Colclough’s). —On account of one of the prospectors having gone into business at Logantown, the sinking of the shaft has been let on contract. The price per foot is 27s 6d, the contractors being supplied with wind-ing-gear. This party are on a very good leader. Nos. 1 and 5 east of Colclough’s.—The former is held by Butler and party, and the latter by M'Connochie and party, of Clyde. Tenders have been called for sinking new shafts in both these claims, so that operations will probably be resumed at once. In Woods and Co.’s claim (better known as Beare’s), the shaft is down to a depth of 20 feet, and the company have accepted a tender to continue the sinking at 30s a. foot. The contractors are following down the reef, and are meeting with good indications. x Tho erection of machinery at the Aurora Company’s chum is proceeding rapidly ; and should it continue at the same rate of progress, the battery will be ready to commence crushing operations about Christm ts. A seventh s.hare in this claim was sold last week for The share belonged to Mr Oswald Walker, and Messrs Benjamin B. Cooper and Thos. M'Morran were the buyers. The present holders of the sh ire have, iu addition to the purchase- j money, to defray a seventh of the cost of j machinery, as well as the same proportion I of working expenses since August last. O’Donnell and party (No. 1 east of Aurora claim) have sunk a shaft to the depth of 75 feet; but on account of their reef dipping outwards from the hill, they have now commenced to drive a tunnel towards the shaft from the face of the hill. In No. 2 west of the Aurora claim, the shaft is down 30 feet, with a mullocky leader to that depth. The party are now on a rich leader of quartz, fully twelve inches in width. We have seen in the hands of one of the shareholders a very excellent prospect from this claim. The Morning Star Company (No. 1 west from tho Bendigo Claim), have accepted a tender for sinking a shaft 50 feet in depth. In the adjoining claim (No. 2 west), the reef has been struck in the new shaft, about 100 feet below that ijrst put down. H izlett’s party, in tho claim adjoining i the last-mentioned, are engaged in driving j from the bottom of tbeir shaft in order to | find the reef. i Brough’s party (next to Hazlett’s), have i pushed a tunnel about 150 feet in from the gully, and expect to come upon the reef very shortly. The Bendigo Claim is in full working order, and it is reported that the crushings continue to yield handsome returns. The machine is working day and night. It is expected that the additional five head of stampers will shortly be placed in position at the wheel. A shed is being erected 1 over the machinery at present in use.