BENDIGO.

Dunstan Times, Issue 655, 6 November 1874, Page 3

BENDIGO.

(COMMUNICATED.)

More than cheering news is to hand from the Bendigo Reefs, a complete reaction in favor of the locality having set in. The Bendigo Company (Logan, Goodger and Co.) are still raising large quantities of very rich stone at the western boundary of the Company’s claim, where it was feared the stone had run out. the reef, however, has proved, after driving a few feet, to have been only sweezed out, and to have made a turn, as it has again been struck, showing as rich, if not. richer than ever. This discovery has cheered the rather low spirits of the Reliance Company, owners of the adjoining claim, it incontestably proving that the reef runs into, if not, right through it; the labor, however, of this Cempany, so far, Las been for nothing, as the shaft they were sinking is some distance, and it is thought too far off the line of reef to be of any service, the claim now stands A. 1. in both the,estimation of shareholders and of the public, and its value by this discovery is considerably enhanced. The dispute between the two markers out and applicants for the old Aurora Com pany’s ground was settled last Court day, and work may be expected to be resumed forthwith.

The Lucknow Company are still driving along the course of the reef, but the prospects do not transpire. A scheme is mooted to try the Bendigo reefs at the lowest possible level ; the idea is to raise capital, LIO,OOO in 49,000 shares of five shillings each, aud to drive a tunnel across the known lines of reefs, the mouth of the tunnel to be in the Bendigo Greek ; it is thought the reefs would he cut at from 500 to 1000 ft. deep, and the extremelength of tunnel to he about one mile. The scheme is one in my opinion practicable, but 1 am of opinion likewise that at the least, double the Capital will be required, as it must be borne in mind that in such a length of tunnel air shafts will bo required, and it will take no inconsiderable sum to sink half a dozen from, say, from 200 to GOO feet in depth. In a country like Bendigo, where quartz veins, or spurs, or reefs, or by what other name you like to call them, are to be met with every few feet on the surface, the inference is that, a large and payable reef exists somewhere in the hill, aud the only way to solve the problem is by a tunnel as proposed, the promoters therefore have my best and earnest wishes for the successful carrying out of their scheme.