Gold-Finding Extraordinary near Beechworth.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 18, 16 March 1870, Page 3

Gold-Finding Extraordinary near Beechworth.

[From the Ourna Spectator.]

At the latter part of last week, a miner brought into Beechworth a quantity of the richest auriferous quartz that has ever been found in .the Ovens district. The gold and quartz'are. in about equal proportions—the latter being completely erterusted with the precious metal. These specimens, which, wo understand, are a fair sample of the stone generally which has been just discovered, are now in the possession of the manager of the Oriental Bank in Beechworth, Mr Hickling, by whom they were shown to us. Though the reef is only a foot wide at the top, it is likely to prove a fortune to the discoverers. Some years ago, a good deal of " chalf" was indulged in among the mining-brokers of Melbourne at the expense of Mr John Evcrard (then one of their fraternity) on account of his reported glowingydescription of a pet reef as being a "solid wall of gold." This, however, we are credibly informed, is really the appearance of the reef just discovered. The yield of such quartz to the ton was accurately calculated, and it would not be less than 11,9-t6|ozs! The quartz which forms the matrix is almost white. At present, the holder of the claim wishes its precise locality kept a secret, but has, no objection to state that it is within six miles of the township of Beechworth. We are informed, however, from another source, that it is situated in the ranges at the back of Hurdle Flat, and that the discoverer, was a French miner, who, after taking about half-a-dozen ounces from the surface, thought that the reef had run out, anil consequently abandoned it, and that it was afterwards taken up by Mr Michael Scanlou (the well-known reefer, and discoverer of the celebrated Kerry Eagle Reef), who is at present the fortunate holder. Such a find as this proves beyond doubt that the gold in the Ovens district is not worked out. Our own expressed opinion has long been that plenty of reefs are to be found in the ranges near Hurdle Flat, Rocky Point, Yackandandah, Wooragee, and elsewhere, which would yield at least one, two, or three ounces to tho ton.