WARDEN’S REPORT.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2067, 20 December 1869, Page 2

WARDEN’S REPORT.

Mr Warden Fyke, writing from Clyde under date Dec. 15, reports as follows : ‘f I have tfye honor to report that the district of Dunstan is progressing favorably, and that the population continues to increase. “The quartz reefs at Bendigo are being gradually developed, and when crushing power is available, extraordinary results may with confidence be anticipated. There are now five (5) reefs in work—namely, Bendigo Reef, Aurora Reef, Colclough’s, Alta Reef, and Richmond’s. Each is believed to be a distinct lode. In addition, application has been made for a prospecting claim on the “Rise and Shine Gully,” about five miles beyond the above reefs, and in a very elevated portion of the district. The sample qf stone submitted by the prospector, James Wilson, differs in character and appearance from any in the vicinity, being harder and of a bluish-white color internally, and much oxidised on the exterior. The gold visible in the specimen is also of a coarser description than that of the Bendigo Reef. “ In all Bendigo (including the Rise and Shine) there are now fifty-two claims at work under miners’ rights, and owned by 294 shareholders. There are also four leases (two granted and two under application), which, when all in full work, will employ fifty-six hands. The ground held and occupied by these fifty-six companies (inc’uding the leases) amounts to 12,800 yards lineal measurement, equal to seven and a quarter (7i ) miles.

coveries are of constant occurrence. A Alexanara eight claims are taken upi (al under miners! rights) on the Alexanara Reel, bn the road to Butcher’s Gully. A prospecting claim has been applied for on a new line of reef in the vicinity of, and running east and west, parallel with the Alexandra Eeef. At Butcher’s Gully, Eosendale and partyhave struck what appears to be a leader, running north and south. At Conroy’s, Iverson and party have lost the leader which they had struck ; but they have manfully sunk to a depth of 80 feet, carrying the back and casing all the way—landing there on a ‘ horse,’ over which the back dips to the north and the casing to the south. They now intend to trench along the face of the leader, where the stone, if equal to that inspected by myself, will pay very well; and in the course of their operations they may fall on better prospects. My own opinion is, that a shaft, say 80 feet to the north, would cut the main lode, if such exists. “ At Blackman’s, near Clyde, a prospecting claim w r as applied for yesterday by a miner—James Beattie—who, having wrought there several years since, was stimulated to return to the district by the news of the Bendigo reefs. After a fortnight’s labor, he has succeeded in developing a reef three feet in thickness, and showing gold throughout. The reefs at Pipeclay Gully and Smith’s Gully, in the Garrick Ranges, near the Bannockburn, are reported to be turning out well; and the Eliza Reef, at Song valley, has again been taken up by several parties of miners, who speak very hopefully of the stone they are now x'aising. “Altogether, the prospects of the large and important district under my charge are very bright and cheering, and I venture to prognosticate that a new era of prosperity is about to dawn on the gold-mining interests of Otago. “Escorts.—ln my last report 1 omitted to credit Black’s division with 404 ounces of gold, sent down therefrom on the 4th Oct. This quantity being added, raises the total for October to 3,372 ozs. 19dwts. During the month of November, gold has been sent down by escort as follows Cromwell division, 2,2410z. 2dwt. ; Clyde division, 858oz.; Alexandra division, 9060z. Idwt.; Black’s division, l,160oz.; total, Duustan district, 5,1G50z. 3dwts.; —making a grand total for the eleven months of 1869 of 38,806 ounces 15 dwts. from this district.”