WARDEN’S REPORT.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2016, 21 October 1869, Page 2

WARDEN’S REPORT.

Mr Warden Pyke, writing from Clyde under date October Ist, says : “I have the honor to forward my report for the month of September. “2. Clyde division.—There is very little to report of this division. The dredges are still gleaning payable quantities of gold from the bed of the river, but the dredging season is now fast approaching its close. Some miners have discovered gold in a narrow gully running down from the Dunstan range, about a mile from the township, at the back of the terraces. The gully in question is at the extreme lead of Dairy creek, and where tne discovery was made it passes through a section of land held under lease by the representatives of the late George Kenny. Arrangements have been made by which the ground is being worked—the miners paying a small fee for the privilege. The gold shown to me is coarse, and some of it seems to have come from a quartz-reef, which in such case must be near the scene of operations. There seems to be little or no ‘wash-dirt,’ the gold being found in the crevices of the slate rock at a trifling depth from the surface. As the gully there is very narrow and the incline great, it is possible that heavier deposits may be found lower down. “ 3. Between Clyde and the Bannockburn, near the Hawkburn Station (Mr Donald M'Lean’s), some miners, whilst prospecting for quartz, struck a vein of some corbonaceous substance, which I be’ieve to be graphite. I tested it with the blow-pipe and by electricity, and it satisfactorily answered both tests ; but for greater certainty, I have forwarded a small sample to Dr. Hector for examination. “4 Alexandria Division.—Mining matters in this portion of my district are progressing quietly but satisfactorily. Galloway Flat (as the ‘ new rush ’ has been named) is being successfully wrought. On the Clutha, near the township, the river has risen above working height, so that most parties are preparing for next season by ‘ stripping, ’ i.e., washing away the upper non-auriferous earth, so as to bare a large surface for future operations. As an illustration of the hidden wealth of the district, I may mention that in a case (aplication for dissolution of partnership) recently heard in the Warden’s Court at Alexandra, it was sworn in evidence by one of the partners, and not denied, that from a space of ground measuring only 30 feet by 6 feet, no less than 931 ounces of gold, of a coarse heavy description, were obtained. This was in the first paddock opened. The rising of the river prevented further operations, and the works remain in suspense. It was further stated, that the bed-rock was dipping inwards towards the bank, and that there was at least three years’ work before the party. In this case, dissolution of partnership was decreed, on account of permanent and violent dissensions between the partners, and the claim will now shortly be sold under an order of the Court. “ 5. Black’s Division,—The differences between the promoters of the Main Drainage Channel and the Hill-sluicers, have at last been arranged. The Drainage Channel committee have started their list, and have obtained promises of support in money and labor to the amount of about L 250. This, with the Government subsidy, will enable them to start with a fund (in prospectu) of L 750, The Hill-sluicers, stimulated into activity, are now collecting subscriptions for a new sludge channel, which is much required; and from the energy displayed, I have no do doubt that they also will bring their undertaking to a satisfactory issue. Should the Drainage Committee be successful in their undertaking, I have every Reason to anticipate that a very large quantity of gold will be unearthed from the flat, which is known to contain heavy gold, and has never been other than very partially wrought, owing to the heavy inrush of water. 6. Cromwell Division.—Great strides are being made in quartz mining in this division. The Bendigo Beef has been taken up for

nearly a mile and a half along the line; and the various prospectors report that they have struck the lode with payable stone in every instance. Two new leases have been applied for, one by Bames and party—(the second party on the reef) —and another by a recently formed company. In the Cromwell Company’s claim—Garrett and party—the lode his widened out (at a greater depth) to 5 feet, with very rich stone. There are now two crushing machines on the reef, and another is, I am informed, about to be erected. The result of all this has been to create considerable excitement. Almost every other mail has got a specimen or two in his pocket, which he is bent on exhibiting—sometimes with great affectation of mystery—to eager investigators. But although of course the mania is excessively developed, there now remains no doubt that the Bendigo Reef is a continuous lode of great extent, and more or less auriferous throughout. One very great advantage in favor of this reef is, that it is situated on, and continues along, the northern face of the ranges —consequently facing the sun—and that it is at a moderate elevation; for it is well understood that a cold situation is a great drawback to quartz-mining operations, or, to speak more exactly, cold is a hindrance to the extraction of the gold from the stone. “7. Many other discoveries are reported as from other localities within my district; but hitherto there has not been any other reef sufficiently tested or wrought to justify me in endorsing the rumors afloat respecting these alleged discoveries. “8. Population.—The population of the district is slightly on the increase. Many Chinese have left (owing to the rising of the river here) for their old claims in other districts, but their absence is more than compensated for by new arrivals. “9. The quantity of gold sent down by escort during the month of September has been as follows Cromwell division, 1138oz; Black’s, 1008oz; Alexandra, 6920z 7dwt; Clyde, fio4oz; total, Dunstan, 33420z 7dwt. Added to the amounts previously stated, this brings up the total yield of the Dunstan district for nine months to 30,3280z 13dwt.