GARRICK RANGE.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 219, 20 January 1874, Page 5

GARRICK RANGE.

Heart of Oak.— The manager reports that he is still driving on the line of reef, but it has not made into any stone as yet. He has driven about seventy feet from where the reef gave out. At that place it seemed to split in two ; one thin vein of quartz ran into hard country, the other was softer, and on this he has been driving. Not having found anything on this line, he intends, after driving a few feet farther, to put a drive across to the other, tilii'ch, at the angle they seemed to run at when they divided, would not-be above twelve or fifteen feet distant. Star of the East.— / The contractors for the tunnel are now about completing their contract. Considering the nature of the ground they have had, great praise must be accorded to them for their perseverance in carrying it out, as for the last two months the character of the rock has been such that the most they could do was about four feet a week. The manager has this week found the reef on the surface at the south end of the claim. No stone had been found here before. The reef appears to be about two feet thick, with fair prospects ; but until it is farther opened up, he can hardly give an opinion on it. He has also found, in sinking from the old tunnel, a fine body of stone , about five feet thick, with good payable' prospects. This is believed to be a continua-, tion of the cross reef he had in the tunnel, .' but which had broken up. It will be difli- ■ cult to work this until the lower tunnel is. got in, as the stuff has all to be pulled up, and filled twice, which takes a deal of extra labour ; but when this very desirable end is 1 accomplished, the prospects of this company seem very flattering. Kohinoor Company, Pipeclay Gully.— This claim, which was prospected for some time a few months ago, but lately has not had much done to it, has again been tried, and this time with success. This week a reef was found, quite two feet thick of good solid stone, with what may be called rich prospects, half a pennyweight to the dish being commonly got. The stone before prospected ran very flat, and a tunnel was put in some distance, but nothing was found. This new discovery seems to be a distinct thing, as the reef goes down nearly perpendicular, and the prospects are very much better. The shareholders are very sanguine that they have got. on a good thing. Royal Standard.— There seems a chance of this line getting another trial. Mr T. Hall, who lias been continuously prospecting about the old reef, has succeeded in striking a well-defined leader, from six inches to a fool in thickness, higher up the hill than the old working. It carried gold at the rate of about two ounces to the ton. Another claim has been pegged off adjoining, by a party who intend to give it a fair trial. This is a favourite line with a great many, who believe that the main reef has never been struck yet; and as all the stone that has been crushed from it has been very good, there is no doubt, could anything permanent be found, it would well repay the time and outlay in looking for it.

The inquiry into the wreck of the Surat is still dragging its weary length along. Nothing of any great interest has yet been or is likely to be elicited, beyond those particulars already published. The witnesses appear to be tolerably unanimous on the subject of the incapability of the chief officers of the vessel during the affair. /.