THIS BENDIGO GULLY REEFS.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2062, 14 December 1869, Page 2

THIS BENDIGO GULLY REEFS.

The intelligence to hand from these reefs confirms the impression in favor of their oxtent and value. It cannot, however, be said that their true character has yet been ascertained. Logan’s and the Aurora claims are the only two that have been properly opened, and not until public machinery has been erected are the majority of them I kely to do more than pound down odd bits of casing. This shows the urgent necessity that exists for a public battery, and that every possible facility and encouragement should be given to such as are willing to undertake its erection. So far as the question can be tested by preliminary operations, the whole line of country around Bendigo Gully is intersected with reefs. These in many instances make their appearance on the surface of the ground, and no sooner does the fact become known than claims aro taken np upon the supposed line. To test this lina shafts and cuttings are required; and although, in the hands of the Victorian miner, these leads are found to be somewhat eccentric, still the fact that they have a distinct bearing, and that that bearing is, as near as can be defined, due east and west, is now generally admitted. The fact itself is of importance in aiding the miner in prosecuting his discoveries. Work is now carried on many miles from the site of the original discovery; and if the facilities alluded to above were provided, a vast area of quartercofing conntry would be under operation. Tbo original proprietors, Logan and party, aro working two shifts of their battery of twelve hours each. They are patting through at the rate of sixty tons of stone per week, with a five-head stamp averaging eighty blows per minnte. On their No. 1 lea«e they have got down two shafts of forty and forty? three feet respectively, with two open cuttings of fifty and fifty-three feet. This may be said to tost the line for a distance of close npoq three hundred yards, and between each of those “punches ” they have traced a welldefined reef. On the second lease they have four shafts, from which they are preparing to take stone. Between these two leases there is a claim known as Smith and party’s, in which the load has been struck on a sidling cut down into a face of from ten to twelve feet deep. They are in course of opening it out, and to all appearance they have got the vein four feet thick. Along the range, a considerable distance on this line, is Gillies’ Golden Crown, at which the reef has been get in several shafts. The second claim still further away, known as the Saxhy, is the latest discovery of the reef upon this lead. It was struck a few days ago, end an excellent sample got from off a rubble casing. The second line of reef is the Aurora. As yet it is the only othep claim at which arrangements have been made for erecting machinery. Five head will be ready for crushing about Christmas, and it is understood that other five will be erected shortly. To facilitate operations they have put in a tunnel, so as to wheel the stuff right out to the stamps. As this is the first reef that will be wrought, with the exception of the original prospectors’, the completion of the work is looked forward to with deep interest. The reef still lower down is that of C dclough’s, in which five shafts and one trench shaft has been sunk. The stone continues to look remarkably well; but as there has been a good many disputes regarding the co-partnership of the claim, arrangements for its development are not by any means in a forwar4 state. Sam Williams’s claim, at a d stance of three milee, is supposed by some to be a continuation of Colclough’s line. That fact, however, is doubtful. But the fact is, that at a distance of three miles no one can calculate what loads run into one another. Still further away from the prospecting claim, another new reef was struck a few days ago. Lika all these reef*, when first heard of they are understood to have surpassed all previous discoveries in richness, A number of other claims on the same line have been pegged off, but at present they are idle. Around the gully a goed deal of settlement is going on. Immediately below the original prospectors’ ground a township is rapidly springing up. As usual, hotels predominate. It is up to the present time but a rudo pheej still it will be very convenient for the reefs. On the ter ace, close to where Logan’s battery has been erected, there is a site for a Government township. It i« naiqed \V»kefield, and one or two rather substantial buildings have already made their appearance on it. Along the road between Cromwell and the reefs a few hotels and stores are going np.