POET DARWIN.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 282, 26 June 1873, Page 6

POET DARWIN.

Latest Official Intelligence.

Mr Reynolds, a member.of the South Australian Ministry under date Port Darwin, sth June, telegraphs to the South Australian Government that he left Southport, accompanied by Mr. Westcott, two men, and five horses and buggy, on Sunday, the 25th, and reached Tumbling Waters at night to camp. On Monday the party made an early start, and reached Finniss Crossing at noon, and Stapleton at night. Adelaide Crossing was made at noon next day, and Howley Crossing on Tuesday night. On Wednesday Warden's Camp was reached, and a trooper was immediately sent to Shackle's telegraph station to obtain fresh horses, Mr. Keynoldo being anxious to get to Pine Creek diggings next day. After a rest, Mr. Eeynolds visited the Priscilla reef on foot, no horses being available, and examined it at several points where he struck it, extending over fully one and a half miles. He found gold in every case on the surface blocks and in the sinking. That seen was fine, with small nodules in the hard quartz and casings. Not much work had been done beyond the construction of a few tunnels and pits of shallow depths and crosscuts. The reefs were unquestionably goldbearing, but what t.be bulk of the reef would yield had yet to be ascertained. The neighborhood was rich in quartz. The ranges were low, the flats generally rich and well grassed. The party started early on Thursday morning for Shackle, through a rough track mostly taken up by claims. On reaching the stations it was found that no horses could be got, and their own horses being knocked up, the party rested for the day. On Eriday they made a detour by Howley Diggings, and reached the encampment at noon. The workings on the reefs were examined. Little work bad been done in the claims, The reefs were large, and evidently gold-bearing, as good reef gold of about 200oz had been worked out ot the small gullies between the low nnges, and on which the reefs were situated. Gold was found in some of the hard compact quartz and in the casings of the reefs. The reef was struck in several places, showing 2ft to 3ft thick, with the casing: about the same thickness as the Priscilla reef. Mr. Wescott brought in some copper specimens which were picked up by him, coutaining rich grey green carbonate and black oxide iron ore. The Howley Crossing eainj n; ground was reached the same night. There was heavy rain, thunder, and continuous lightning for hours. Collitt Creek was reached on Sunday night, Southport on Monday morning, and Palmerston near midnight. Mr. Eeynolds expresses no opiniou on any particular claim his object being to ascertain the state of the roads aud the character of the reefs, and the nature of the country. The water supply, feed, and timber were good. In wet seasons the flat would be boggy, and crossing the creeks difficult, especially for heavy machinery. There was plenty of timber suitable for rough bridges, which a few men with horses might throw across the watercourses in a few days. This ought to have been done long ago. The reefs were unquestionable auriferous and large, the quantity of quartz being generally abundant. At Tumbling Waters, near Banyan Jungle, Adelaide crossing, and other places en route, there were indications of gold country. In many places quartz reefs projected, and invited examination without being tested. At Eormosa crossing large belts of quartz, only a few feet apart, ran through huge blocks of granite. It was believed that other valuable minerals might be found to the east and west of the track taken by Mr Reynolds. The meta) was believed to exist, and the country awaited examination. The east of Adelaide Eiver, and the head and neighborhood of the Daily River, need prospecting. Mi-. Reynolds met seven prospecting parties on his track, and many others were fitting out. Many magnificent plains were crossed, especially beyond the Adelaide crossing, there was grass many feet high, and hundreds of tons of good serviceable hay could be made when not very rank. Salt was needed for cattle. The party burnt the grass in places going up, and on their return they found it had grown six. inches. Many of the plains and flats would grow paddy and sugarcane splendidly. The country was at present plentifully watered, Jand water could be got by sinking near the reefs,, where no creeks or waterholes existed. The timber was not very large except in places. Plenty of poles were to be got for ordinary purposes. Mr. Reynolds gives a note of warning to investors in quartz claims. The real value of the reefs remains to be tested. What was wanted was an average sample of qvm'tz, crushed in quantity, not a crushing of picked pieces or specimens from small rich leaders. There might be bubble reefs and bubble companies as well as real ones. The eagerness to start companies was not a healthy sign. Every one on the spot acquainted with gold reefing was satisfied of the character of the reefs. Mr. Reynolds intended to bring with him to Adelaide samples taken by himself from the reefs for testing. Most of the gold which had been washed out had been from the land claimed under the reef claims. He also intended to bring back leaves and berries from a tree believed to be a cinchona,