THE BENDIGO REAFS.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 14, 16 February 1870, Page 4

THE BENDIGO REAFS.

On Friday morning wo issued an “ Extraordinary” announcing the fact that thn Aurora Company had struck soma very rich quartz in their c-aim, and although the p«j£|cuhirs aupnlicd to ns have since been found to bo not altogether correct—inasmuch as the best r f tbc rtone has not yet been crushed, and therefore the actual results are not known-—yet subsequent reports from the claim on 1- tend tocontirjfl the assertion -wo then rondo, viz., that on Thursday a portion of the reef was struck which fur exceeds in richness anything yet discovered in the Province. Specimens of quartz from this now lode have ,/ceu brought into Cromwell by several persons during thfe last three or four days, some of which are believed to contain as much weight of gold as of quartz. These were in the possession of Mr W. Gri'uUey, of Clyde, and every fragment rltowed a very large proportion of gold. Tho stone is very soft, and crumbles away on being handled. "We are informed that some very much richer specimens were brought down on Monday, by Mr J. D. Foraud, of Clyde, and which are described as by far tbs richest yet seen in Cromwell, A quantity of very excellent stone has been taken from the claim during the past few days, qnd deposited in tht paddock ready for crushing. An accident which has caused a temporary stoppage of work at the battery occurred on Saturday, one of the cog-whoels paving been broken, The damage is to be temporarily repaired without delay, and the fractured wheel will shortly be replaced by a new one.

Yesterday evening we were informed by a gentleman whose voracity may be strictly relied on (and who is practically acquainted with mining in all its phases) that he saw a dishful of quartz from the Aurora claim which was estimated to contain about three pounds weight of gold. The retorting of the amalgam from the first crushing is expected to take place to-day, and the re suit is looked for with much interest Nos, 1, 2, and 3 west on the Aurora ret are reported to be getting very good indi cations. In No. 3 a shaft has been sun! to a considerable depth, and good prospect have been met with all the way down, ' Oolclough and party are raising stone—which is said to promise a large yield—ii readiness for crushing at the Aurora bat tery when the remainder of the stamper are put up. The Saxby Company have sunk a shal to the depth of about 60 feet, with ver good prospects. A working manager ha been engaged, and he is about to con mence testing the ground thoroughly. t Richmond and party have prospecte nearly the whole of their claim, and hav found the reef not to exceed ten or twelv indies in thickness at any part. The ston from this claim is expected to yield at til rate of 16 to 18 ozs. per ton. Williams and party (Alto reef) have quantity of very rich stone at grass, an more is being raised. The party are aH' to construct a road to enable them to hm machinery on to the claim. This will 1 a work of considerable expense.