OPENING OF THE AURORA QUARTZ CRUSHING MACHINE, BENDIGO GULLY.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2111, 10 February 1870, Page 2

OPENING OF THE AURORA QUARTZ CRUSHING MACHINE, BENDIGO GULLY.

(FROM our own correspondent.) Cromwell, Feb. 5. The formal ceremony of christening the Aurora quartz crushing machine took place yesterday afternoon, at Bendigo Gully. The event was one anticipated with deep interest, and we are happy to say that, so far as the opening ceremony is concerned, it proved an entire success. The inhabitants of the surrounding districts testilied their sense of the importance of the event by a numerous attendance, and nothing could be more satisfactory than the lively interest that was taken in the proceedings. In the persons of those present all classes of the community were represented, and Bendigo Gully for the first time in its history became a scene of gay festivity. A fair proportion of the spectators were ladies, whose holiday attire contrasted strikingly with the Sunday “rig” of

the digger ; still cordiality and good feeling rose superior to all tlic external distinctions of broadcloth and tapestry. The works are situated on the western boundary of the company’s claim, in a “bight” opening into what is known as Bwipers’ Gully. ”he ground in the vicinity is remarkably bold, with high precipitous rooks cropping up on every hand. In many respects these assume rather fantastic shapes, and at first sight they suggest to the mind’s eye the idea of a lofty range of Gothic ruins. The machine consists of all the appliances for quartz crushing witli water power—viz. ; a large overshot wheel, stamp heads, ripple and blanket tables, &o. in the first instance only live head of stamps will he used, which the company propose entirely to devote to the crushing of their own stone. Eventually, however, an additional live will be employed, and, so far as consistent with their own interest, the company intend devoting them to public crushing. It is more particularly in that respect that the undertaking becomes a public benefit. Without getting their stone crushed prospectors never can decide the true value of their claims, and not until such value has been definitely settled is there the slightest encouragement for the erection of machinery. Pardon a slight digression at this point. The subject of providing aid to prospecting parties was mooted in last week’s issue of the Cromwell Guardian, and a suggestion thrown out that a portion of the expense charged for crushing prospectors’ stone should be borne by the Government. lam not prepared to go the same length that the journal in question went, and assert that the heavy charges for crushing is the rock upon which quartz reefing in Otago has split, still it is a fact that it has done a great deal to retard it. The obstacle is not an unsurmountablo one, and if the present Government is desirous of gaining a little popularity at a very cheap rate, it could not possibly do better than attend to the suggestion. The wheel alluded to is 26 feet 6 inches in diameter, and with a full supply of water it will effect three revolutions per minute. Each revolution is equal to 2-l.j blows per stamp, so that the whole five produce on an average 365 blows per minute. The live stamps already erected are equal to 25dwfc., and the anchorage gratings are perforated with 95 holes to the inch. The crushhig, wrought by shifts night and day, will average sixty tons per week; and from the position in which the tail water makes its escape, a choke-up from tailings is hardly possible. The ceremony of christening was gracefully performed by Mrs Perriain, of Lowburn Flat. Before the orthodox champagne bottle was slung, Mr W. J. Barry, of Cromwell, introduced the proceedings with a few appropriate remarks. He spoke of Bendigo Gully as the great goldfields attraction of the Province, and the work now completed as an important step for fixing that attraction, and thereby bringing about a healthy enterprise throughout the district. He spoke in high terms of the energy and perseverance displayed by the working partners of the concern, and called upon all present, more especially holders of claims, to take a lesson from the example they had set. The machine was a triumph of mechanical skill, and in order that they might have ocular demonstration of the fact he called upon the engineer to set it in motion. In answer to this appeal the water was set on, and the heavy cranks immediately performed their various evolutions with all the precision of clockwork. The first clink of the stamps was the signal for the bottle being let go, and amidst much cheering the main crauk cf the revolving gear was washed with champagne. In discharging the bottle Mrs Peniam formally announced it the Aurora wheel. The company then adjourned to the refreshment tables laid out in the adjoining grounds. Success to the Aurora Company was proposed by Mr G. W. Goodgcr, Mayor of Cromwell, who spoke at some length of the string conviction he had all along entertained of the auriferous wealth of the Bendigo Gully district, and alluded to the ceremony in which they had been engaged as evidence that that conviction was well founded. The pledge was given with loud enthusiasm, after which Messrs Smithson and Barry each made appropriate speeches accompanied by toasts connected with the various interests involved. A second adjournment was mac’6 for an open air dance, which was kept up with spirit until close upon dusk when the party broke up highly satisfied with the hospitable manner in which they had been entertained, and equally satisfied with the improved prospects Bendigo Gully now preIn Loganstown the rejoicing was kept up until an early hour this morning, and if your correspondent was not deceived by appearances, when be left some of the more enthusiastic of the crowd are still keeping up the celebration of the opening ceremony.