CARRICK RANGE QUARTZ REEFS.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 116, 30 January 1872, Page 5

CARRICK RANGE QUARTZ REEFS.

RE3ULTS OF KECBNT CRUSHINGS. The first crushing at the new machine lately erected by the Star of the East Q.M. Company (conjointly with the Heart of Oak Company) was finished on Tuesday last, and the amalgam from the Star battery was retorted on Wednesday. One hundred and four tons, taken promiscuously from the reef, had been operated upon, and the weight of the golden cake lodged at the Bank on Wednesday afternoon was 227 ozs. 14 dwts., —an average of 2 ozs. 3 dwts. 18 grs. to the ton. The Heart of Oak Company, (whose ground adjoins the Star of the East claim) completed a crushing of 104 tons on Friday, and the result was 328 ozs. 18 dwts. of gold,—the average per ton being 3 ozs. 3 dwts. 2 grs. The larger yield from the Heart of Oak is accounted for by the fact that a considerable portion of the stone was "picked," whilst that of the Star was shot into the paddock just as it was taken from the reef. The time, occupied in crushing was necessarily somewhat protracted, the shortness of water having caused frequent stoppages. We are glad to hear, however, that this difficulty is now in a great measure obviated ; for with the aid of the powerful pumping appliances just completed (at a cost of L.250), the water, after washing the tables of the Heart of Oak, will be brought back and made to pei'form the same operation for the Star of the East. It is expected that the double battery of ten stamps will prove equal to the reduction of about 190 tons a Aveek now that the dam and force-pump are in full working order. Mr Joseph Shields, manager of the Heart of Oak, informs U3 that he has now sufficient stone "in view" to keep the single battery going for the next twelve months. The main shaft is down to a depth of over eighty feet, and the manager anticipates there will be no necessity for further sinking until the expiry of the period mentioned. The Star of the East shaft (adjacent to the boundary line) has been carried down sixty feet below the deepest level in the Heart of Oak ground, and a well-defined reef—-twenty inches to three feet in width —can be traced from the main drive to the bottom of the shaft.