CROMWELL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 106, 19 February 1870, Page 5

CROMWELL.

(From our own Correspondent),

February 13th

I sent you by telegraph the brief statement of another startling discovery made the middle of last week at Bendigo Gnlly. Since then I have visited the ground, and the following particulars may be relied upon as strictly correct. The Aurora claim, on whose ground the very rich lead was found, is opened up towards its eastern boundary by a deep cut, which extends a few hundred feet on each side of the prospecting shaft. Late on the evening of Wednesday last, a very peculiar formation was discovered running in from the back wall of the reef, and dipping down the middle of the ledge. It Avas a very bright burnt specimen of stone, and on being examined it was discovered to be not gold in stone, but stone in gold. The following day it was further developed, and at the time your correspondent saw it, on Friday last, the lead was about two^ inches thick, with a perceptible dip through the centre of the reef. It was a mistake to say that one pound weight of gold had been washed out of three pound of stone, as it was not possible to discriminate the stuff when put into the box. Still, the most reliable opinion is that it will go from 25 to 50 per cent. gold. Before the extent of this particular lead can, be made known, the ledge upon which the men are at present working will have to be taken out, and as this will occupy about a week, nothing definite will be known before Wednesday.

The other reefing claims are equally promising. Colclough is taking out better stone than ever, and the question of erecting stamps will be decided on Monday. The claims on this line east, after a good deal of patient search, have succeeded in finding the reef. It was got about seventy yards from the line on which they had been sinking. The stone is capital. The Carrick range reefs are likewise making a show. Stone for a trial crushing has been taken out of the Pipe Clay Gully Claim, and is on the road to the battery at Bendigo. Sniitham and M'Morran's claim, on the Nevis side, is likewise said to have found a very excellent stone, so that mining is upon the whole satisfactory. Indeed, we are beginning to look upon ourselves as made men, and the truth is some of us stood badly in need of a little making up.

Now for that noble institution, the Should it prove to be at all well defined, Bendigo Gully will tell a tale before long. The preceding event of importanca was the christening of the Aurora wheel and the formal inauguration of work at the battery. This took place on Friday, the 2nd. The residents of the surrounding districts turned out in great style, and nothing could exceed the enthusiasm manifested on the occasion. We had champagne shouts and "three times three" upon at least thirty occasions, with hats and handkerchiefs waving in the open air. Mrs. Pei'riam, assisted by Mr. W. J. Barry, performed the ceremony, and amidst much rejoicing the Aurora stamps were set agoing. They are putting through at the rate of sixty tons of stone per week, and the general opinion is that the company will wash up from one hundred and fifty to two hundred ounces per week. The first clearing up will take place about Friday first, so that the ensuing week is looked forward to with great expectations. Municipal Council of Cromwell. The Supreme Court of Otago and Southland has been merciful to - Mr W. H. Whitter, and relieved him from the cares of office. On the afternoon of Saturday last he formally delivered over his right, title, and interest to Mr G. W. Goodger. The change may be may be for the better, but your correspondent has failed to see how it can possibly be for the worse. ANOTHER IMPORTANT DISCOVERY AT THE AURORA. February 15. Las+ night Mr. J. D. Feraud, ex-Mayor of Clyde, arrived in Cromwell, bringing the agreeable intelligence that another very rich lead had been found at the Aurora. This vein, it appears, is situated still more towards the eastern boundary of the claim, and from the fact that the stone was being taken out in bucketfuls when our informant left, there is reason to believe that it forms a much more extensive lead than the other. The new stone is of a dark brown colour, and has evidently been subjected to the action of fire. A magnificent specimen was exhibited in town, and certainly it carries the best quartz gold ever Seen in the district.

I regret to have to repeat an accident by which the Aurora stamps have been brought tc a stand-still. On the morning of Sunday last a break down took place amongst some of the intermediate gearing. This will so far interfere with the arrangements of the company as to cause a washing-up early this week instead of the end of it.