MINING NEWS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 961, 17 September 1880, Page 3

MINING NEWS.

Tiie last newly discovered reef in the Bendigo district, the “ Try Again,’’ situate on the main leading spur from the Clutha T alley to Thompson's Gorge, and generally known as the Rise and Shine,spur, is from present appearances likely to eclipse in stability anything yet discovered in that district On the surface the body of stone has been traced a long distance, and varies from nine to sixty feet in width. A large hole into the body of stone has been sunk nearly twenty feet, the stone getting harder as a greater depth is reached. A trial crushing of a few tohs gave a yield of nearly two ounces to the ton, and as gold can bo plainly seen in the stone to the depth yet reached, the shareholders are sanguine that they have a good thing. So firm is their belief in the reef that they have purchased the old Alta machinery which was on the next adjoining spur, and are now busily erecting it. Several shares have changed hands locally at fair prices, but there is no further disposition on the part of holders to part with more. It will be surprising should the “Try Again” prove as good as present Indications would lead one to believe as its existence lias been known to every one iu the district for years past, in fact the track along tbo spur is made through it for a depth of two feet or more and for some distance. The “Rise and Shine ” alluvial claim, which is situate at the top of the range, about three-quarters ot a mile from the “Try Again ” has been, I am informed, turning out remarkably well during the past season. In tins claim there is an enormous body of quartz indicating the existence of a strong lode, hut whether it contains gold in paying quantities has not yet been ascertained. I am surprised at this, and often think that if it were at Stawell, where there is energy sufficient to sink shafts to a depth of over 2200 leet, or at Ballarat, the question as to its worth would not long remain unsolved. The Thompson’s Gorge reef, which is some three miles from the “ Rise and Shine,” hut on the opposite or Mnnuhevikia side of the range is another vast body of quartz that requires developing—the trial crushiiigs from this reef turned out nearly 3oz, to the

ton, yet beside a little surface scratching nothing has been done to develop it. The coming season amongst the alluvial miners In this locality, notably at Tinkers and Drybread, fur the want of water is likely to be a slack one ; in fact, one Claim, the old “ Blue Duck ” has already had to knock off for want of the liquid element. The shareholders to my mind could not better employ their idle time than in testing some of these bodies of stone that are now lying idle, as the chances of being recouped for their labor are much iu their favor. An arrangement I think could be made, and one that would meet with very general support by all classes ill the district by which one or more of the reefs could be tested. My plan would be to form a kind of prospecting association, working shareholders to receive in cash, say Ll per week to cover current expenses, and a certain interest in the mine if payable gold is found, and the sleeping shareholders such interest in the mine in accordance to the amount contributed by them. The success of the whole affair would depend entirely on the working shareholders, and if a party having the confidence of the public wore nominated, there is not a doubt but that subscribers to the fund would be found in plenty, and still less that something good would be found.