Bendigo General History - Department of Planning and Community ...

The Empire Amalgamated is cross-cutting at 1,000 feet. The Acott Company, Axedale, after
crushing a good deal of stone, has given up the mine to tributers. Britt’s Freehold Company, at
Bagshot, is making good progress in lowering the water. The quantity of water sold for mining
purposes in this division during the quarter ended 31st December was 64,000,000 gallons.
Eaglehawk Division (FR Ellis) - In reviewing the progress of mining operations during the last
quarter, it is pleasing to report an increase of 4,327 oz 18 dwt 11 gr in the yield of gold, as compared
with the previous quarter. There is every reason to believe that this prosperous state of affairs will be
of a lasting character, as deep sinking is, in this, as in the adjoining division, now fairly established.
This continued prosperity has undoubtedly imparted confidence in the future of mining in
Eaglehawk. The greater portion of the gold is still obtained from the St Mungo and Devonshire
Reefs. The Duchess Tribute Company, on this line, have paid 5s 6d per share in dividends during the
quarter. The United Devonshire have been breaking some rich stone from the 375 and 435 foot
levels. The Hopewell Company is also working the same reef, but not with such good results as the
former company. The Catherine Reef United Company passed through a large body of stone at a
depth of 1,098 feet, showing nice gold. The Princess Alice Company has struck a rich run of spurs of
a very promising character at the 1,040-foot level. On the Johnson’s line, the Johnson’s Reef Gold
Mines Company have met with a large body of stone at the 868-foot level, from which two dividends
of 1s 6d per share have been declared. The Rose of Denmark, North Johnson’s, and the Confidence
Extended Companies intend sinking in order to work this stone. The quantity of water sold for
mining purposes was, from main 13,500,000 gallons at 4d per 1,000 gallons, and 6,000,000 gallons
from open channels, at 1/2d per 1,000 gallons. 1
Mar 1886: Sandhurst Division (NG Stephens) - during the quarter just closed an increased quantity of quartz
has been crushed; but owing to a falling off in the quality of the stone from some of the principal
mines, the average per ton is less than it has been for some time past. Still, several developments
of a highly encouraging character have taken place, and noticeable amongst these is the discovery
of a golden reef in Mr Lansell’s 180 mine at a depth of 2,000 feet… This is a very important
discovery. On other parts of the New Chum line prospecting is being vigorously carried on. The
Eureka mine is still yielding good payable returns, with good prospects for the future. Their shaft
is down 1,341 feet. The New Chum Railway returns have been moderate, and not sufficient to pay
dividends. The Shanandoah Company has been getting satisfactory yields from reefs at 1,312 and
1,492 feet, and has resumed the payment of dividends. The Shamrock Company has just reached
the reef at 1,430 feet, and it proves to be gold-bearing. The Garibaldi Company is cross-cutting at
1,102 and 1,190 feet. The Ellesmere and the New Chum Consolidated companies are jointly
sinking the shaft of the latter, which is down over 1,500 feet. The New Chum United is also
sinking, and their shaft is down 1,444 feet. The Lazarus Company has just touched what appears to
be the top of a reef formation in the shaft at 1,670 feet, and have seen gold. The Old Chum
Company are prospecting the reef at 1,400 feet, and getting moderate returns. Their shaft is down
over 1,500 feet, and they will soon reach the reef in a lower level, when improved yields are
expected. The New Chum and Victoria are now prospecting at 1,700 feet. The North Old Chum is
cross-cutting. The Victoria Quartz Company is working from Lansell’s 180 mine at 1,760 and
1,860 feet. On the Garden Gully line matters are rather dull just now. The returns from the Garden
Gully United Company have fallen off considerably. Unfortunately the reef opened up by the
Victory and Pandora Company has become very poor. The Unity Company is prospecting at 1,570
feet. On the Hustlers line the work is chiefly of a prospecting nature. The Great Extended Hustlers
Tribute Company is prospecting east and west at 1,652 feet, and has met with encouraging
indications eastward. The Hustler’s Reef Company has struck gold-bearing stone at 960 feet.
Among the miscellaneous mines the Tambour Major Company have struck rich spurs at 585 feet,
but their permanency is not proved yet. The GG Consolidated Company, having received a portion
of the prospecting vote, is resuming work at Golden Gully. The Britt’s Freehold Company
(alluvial), at Bagshot, is persevering in their efforts to drain the Lower Huntly Deep Lead. The
Loyal English Company are reported to have bottomed on payable wash. Eaglehawk Division (FR
Ellis) - Mining in this division during the three months just ended has not been prosperous as
compared with previous quarters. This is no doubt to be accounted for by the fact that most of the
principal mines are carrying on progressive work. There is nothing special to report, but the
following particulars will show the nature of the prospecting work that has been carried on during
the quarter. The Pearl Company has been sinking their engine shaft through very hard sandstone.
Present depth from surface 1,027 feet. The Great Extended Victoria Company - The western crosscut
at 820 feet has been driven 266 feet. Dixon’s Tribute Company - The shaft has been sunk 660
feet from surface. New Victoria Catherine Company - The No. 6 cross-cut has been driven west
155 feet. Duke of Edinburgh Company has sunk their shaft 824 feet from surface. Victorian St
Mungo Company has sunk their shaft to a depth of 450 feet from surface. New St Mungo
Company has sunk their shaft 883 feet from surface.
1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1885