CARRICTON.

Dunstan Times, Issue 512, 9 February 1872, Page 2

CARRICTON.

—o—(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT. ) Feb. C. Not much to chronicle -but what there is raav prove of interest to your readers. I have always maintained that the Elizabeth was not such a drag on the Carriek as many would surmise. It wanted supervision and new blood to ensure success, and this I believe it now has. Judging from results—and what surer test can there he—it only wanted this. From 104 tons of stone crushed and washed up last week, 720z. 15dwts. were obtained. This being at the rate of 14dwt to the ton, is something more than double the rate of the last crushing. Now, 14dwt. to the ton will pay a dividend —expensive as the present process of crushing may be, while tho alterations that are to bo made in the machinery and water necessitius will ensure a steadier rate of crushing, and a consequent greater dividend. The machine when working in its present condition can crush 50 tens a week—this being its maximum. Having come under the operation of the “ Limited Liability Act”, I shall be happy to see some of the scrip floating into various l hands, as it helps to give vitality to a gold field, and becomes a circulating medium when bank notes are sparse. Ten bead of stampers are seriously pounding away at the stone at the Heart of Oak, and will continue pounding until the end of this week, when tho “ Star” will take its innings, and try again to tie its smaller brother. A slight mistake occurred 1 sea in the Cromwell Argue in its report of the crushing of the Star and Oak, which I am do sired to correct. The stone from the latter claim was not picked, but was taken from tho heap indiscriminately—of which there is a large quantity left. Tho “Duke” is still getting good prospects, and following its metalliferous lode, and getting cut grist for the mill. More I cannot say—as I know not. The Welcome Sinking for the underlay of tno “ Oak” is getting into fayor, through the imperfection of our mining laws. It is a monstrous injustice not being able to follow the underlay wherever it may run. I see no use in Gold-fields’ Members, if they do not understand and rectify our mining legislation. It is a very serious question in my mind, if tho Welcome does not cut this reef at a depth. I have written on this subject till I am tired of it, and shall now transfer it to our local representatives. Two more items on this Spur. Tho Border Chief is to be resuscitated, and a Mr. Jackson has found a reef rn the same spur, which he has called the Golden Crown. Green’s stone is thin but good—they arc wishing for an extension of quartz. The leader in the Old Royal Standard is widen- | ing, and improving in quality. The stone : already out will be crushed as soon as possible. In this neighborhood, a reef called the All Nations will bo found—of which, little can at present be said, j The Young Australian Company are still driving for the reef—aro in some twent.y----j five feet, and from the indications in their I ground seem to bo in close proximity. On j one side of this claim is the Young Kangaroo, on tho other the Lord Clyde—these • claims are six hundred feet lone, and three j hundrelfeet wide, an 1 further about them i your deponent sayeth not. Fipeclay way, tno John Bull Company are busy padlocking out their flat leader. Happy yet discontented men ! Who would sink or drive for gold could they get it on the surface? Yet they want their reef to go down they say. I only wish their case was mine, and that when your servant gets a ree' it may be as shallow, as easily worked, and prospect as well as the John Bull. There is someihing in a name after all as John Bull generally prospects well to all adventures—whether Hungarian rebels, Italian conspirators, French charlatans, Fenians, fliers on the trapeze, delectable and doubtful specimens of the feminine gender like Lola Montes, and many a fair haired scion of the Russian noblesse to Tom Thumb, the Atzee breed, and Chang, and oven now to those mining on this giddy elevation for gold. South of “John” is the Marquis of Lome—auriferous undeveloped, hard, as becometh so canny and august a name. The chiel is young yet, but bide a wee my mon !. North of “ John’’ another claim has been taken up called the Alpine--taken up, commenced to prospect, that is all. You’ll hear more of this Alpine movement again. Should your readers want to see it, let them bring an alpenstock with them. Descending to the ordinary events of life, the Nil and the Robert Burns, have a trial crushing this week—this will stamp the value of the two claims as tho e t< no has been honestly taken. The Go'den Gate Company have driven their tunnel over one hundred feet, and hope to cut the reef about the end of February. But of Pipeclay I shall speak more confidently 1 believe in my next letter. What about our Post Office ? Are we never to have one ?or wait till the Argus agitates in our favor? And what about Coal Creek and its surplus water ? Are preliminary ncgocia ions “ work ” in the meaning of the Act ? The people hero seeing no steps taken in tho matter aro getting “ water on the brain ” again. When will the projectors start their undertaking? Will they ever start ? Will they succeed ? All these things are dinned into my ears—and my only answer is, “ who knows ”? A very safe answer to this, and is one of the few good things besides cigarettes, pulque, and fleas that Mexicans indulge in. WhenI ever anyone is asked a difficult question tho j best plan is to look wise, if you can, reflect a moment, shake your head, and say quien sabe. It saves a world of explanation and argument, and is found serviceable in hot countries, such as the range has been the last week or two.

Ths ten hour system has been started in the Star, and nine in the Oak. Other Com* • panics will doubtless follow their example,

I refrain from offering any opinion on the subject. The Nil Desperandum, Robert Burns, and John Bull Companies have started|cutting the dray road from their claims down the Pipeclay spur. This road is of easier gradient and of a much less costly character than that of the Royal Standard at present leading to Carrickton, and tapping the range iu a fresh place will doubtless tend to the opening of fresh country A portable atmo pheric battery—whatever that may mean—is to be on the ground in fot r weeks for the Nil and Burns claims—while dr. Alves has arranged for the erection of a permanent battery as speedily as possible.' Pipeclay you see intends making its mark as well as other portions of the range.