GARRICK RANGE QUARTZ REEFS.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 124, 26 March 1872, Page 5

GARRICK RANGE QUARTZ REEFS.

Notwithstanding the multifarious obstacles i ami disadvantages encountered in their develop- j ment, the news from most of the reefs in actuali operation continues to be of a most encouraging description. {The older claims on the Range including the Heart of Oak, Star of the hast, and Elizabeth —are how recognised as substantial mining properties, the permanence and payable character of which have after continuous working for many mouths past, been established be • yond the shade of a doubt. The great essentials to the vigorous and successful development of our reels are—first, a large influx of capital; and second, a plentiful supply of watfcr-power for crushing machinery. | These necessary adjuncts once obtained, the Garrick Reefs would soOn assume a degree of importance at present scarcely dreamt of even by the -most sanguine. A report received yesterday from the mine manager of the Royal Standard Company states that work is still being carried on in the main tunnel in that claim, and that “ there is every sign of improvement both in the quantity and quality of the stone.” In the course of a fortnight, about twenty tons front this claim will bo ready for milling. On Friday, a new lode,—believed to he the main reef,—was struck in the lower tunnel of the Star of the East, and a quantity of stone is being taken out from that part of the claim. The Star’s crushing will ho finished on Thursday, and a good return is certain. The crush-ing-power of the Star and Oak battery is not equal to the requirements of the two claims, either of which could easily keep the machine hi full work. S l ar scrip, wc are informed, is in the ascendant, several parcels having recently changed hands at prices considerably above par. The test-crashing of fifty tons from the Elizabeth claim at the Standard machine resulted in a return of 36 ozs. 17 dwts. of gold. Mr M'Ardell, manager for the Elizabeth Company, having completed several alterations and improvements in the engine and battery, ma te an experimental start with the machinery on Saturday. The result, we aio informed, greatly exceeded his expectations, there being abundance of steam in the boiler, and amply sufficient power in the engine to drive the battery, pump, and berdan. Mr M'Ardell says all that is now required to rftake the plant perfect is a new pump. A trial crushing of twenty tons for the Vale of Avoca will in all probability be complete! to-night. The Rob Roy will follow with fifteen tons, and afterwards there will be a small lot sent down from Green’s claim, Adams’s Gully. The Royal Standard Company’s enlarged battery is expected to be ready for work within a fortnight. The Nil Dcspcrandurn and Robert Burns Companies are commencing to grass stone. Sinking in the Welcome shaft has only reached a depth of ninety feet, the ground being extremely hard.