THE BENDIGO REEFS.

Cromwell Argus, Volume 1, Issue 51, 2 November 1870, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE BENDIGO REEFS.

Up ( Jtf'rom a Correspondent.) November 1, 1870. 'The first waggon-load of the Alta Quartz Mining Company’s machinery arrived at the claim yesterday week, and the remainder is daily expected from Rough Ridge. Mr William Wilson,of the Otago Foundry, Dunedin, is the contractor for erecting the machinery, and the work is to be completed within six weeks from this- date, under penalty for nora-fuWment. The battery consists of ten stamps, and the wheel is to be driven by water-power; Mr Robert Reed, engineer, has been engaged as manager for the company ; and about twenty men are at present employed in excavating, making roads, and cutting a race from the Rise and Shine company’s tail-race, the water from which will at first be used for driving the Alta waterwheel. Water for the tables will be taken from another source—a water-right heldby the company. The shareholders have gone to great expense in purchasing machinery, and making other necessary preparations for a start, and it is sincerely to be hoped that their expectations will be amply realised. The Colelough Company’s machinery isnow on the way from Dunedin, and its arrival may be- looked for daily. The Aurora Company’s reef has hitherto, I regret to say, proved a losing concern the shareholders. Notwithstanding the splendid nature of the prospects at first obtained, and the then apparent abundance of gold-bearing quartz, it has since been proved that there is very little body of stone in the reef, ao little that it will scarcely cover the expenses of getting it oit. The shareholders have, therefore, come to the conclusion to discharge all thtir hands, and to work the claim themselfos* in the hope of finding a greater thiiltness of reef at a lower level. I trust tiny will be successful. The Cromwell Company’s battery contimes in full operation, and the- results of tin crushings from their reef are highly saisfactory.