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

Nov 1860:
Kangaroo Flat Division
The population is as follows:
European Chinese
Alluvial miners 2,827 637
Quartz miners 1,521
4,348 637
The machinery is as follows:
Alluvial mining:
Steam-engines winding, pumping and puddling, 6-160hp
Horse puddling mills at work, 647 at work, 120 idle - 767
Quartz mining:
Steam engines winding, pumping, and crushing, etc, 64 - 1,135hp
Whims, 30 at work and 17 idle - 47
Whips, 10 at work and 4 idle - 14
Alluvial Mining - I am happy to have to state that this month (November) has been a most
prosperous one for the alluvial miners, puddlers, &c. of Bendigo. There has been a constant
and steady fall of rain all over the district, in just sufficient quantities not to do any injury to the
dams, the inspiring effects of which upon this gold field is quite gratifying, as this branch of
mining more nearly concerns more or less the entire population in the number of men and
animals it employs, the maintenance for which is something enormous, taking at the lowest
estimate for each puddling mill, two horses and four men. Taking this season, so far, it has
undoubtedly been the best ever yet known on Bendigo. Quartz Mining - This branch does not
show itself so visibly to the eye, one might walk over the entire length of one of our richest
gold-yielding lines without being a bit the wiser, or even knowing where the principal
operations were being carried on; there is very little show on the surface, as everything is
carried on underground, excepting the indications of their whereabouts, namely the various
pieces of machinery which are kept constantly at work night and day. Quartz mining is
gradually becoming more developed, more ground is being taken up every day in the out
districts, where I am happy to say some good permanent reefs are being opened out; those at
the Axe Creek, both south and north, are turning out some fine quartz averaging from 1/2 an oz
to 7 oz per ton ... Birds Reef - The West of England Company are steadily persevering; three of
their batteries of four heads each are kept constantly going, and I believe they are doing very
well. Birds Reef Company is almost now completed with their pumping machinery, the water
level here was so shallow that the company found it absolutely necessary to erect their pumps...
Mr Wraight, immediately to the north, with a four horse engine, crushes from his claim about
50 tons per week yielding on the average 1oz per ton. Larma Reef - This line is likely toon to
be brought into active work again, there is a company called the Larma Reef Pioneer Company
who have taken up by lease a large area of ground, including that very rich claim of Guss and
Company, which in several crushings yielded 92 oz per ton consecutively. It is a private
company of about 40 £5 shares. Victoria Reef - This line is, with the exception of one or two
claims, entirely at work... The Victoria Quartz Mining Company crushed from it 11 tons,
yielding 17 oz of gold. The Endeavour Company are still working the White Lead and
showing very good returns. The Hercules Company have a body of stone at least 8 feet thick,
which yields all through 1 oz per ton; the stone being near the surface and a large mass, and
having also their own machinery on the spot, an excellent 16 horse-power, driving 12heads.
The Victoria Gold Mining Company is steadily progressing; their eastern shaft is nearly
completed... There is another spur to the very east side of the hill, which was lately struck by
the Try Me Well Company. Tyson’s Reef - This line has proved itself not inferior to any on
Bendigo, so far as it has been worked, and I am sorry to say that this has been confined to three
or four claims. The claim of Enghisch and Myers, 61 feet long, has been a remarkable fine
one... To the south of this comes the Tyson’s Reef Company, composed of 16 original shares...
they have a splendid 30 horse-power engine pumping and crushing; the pipes are down 220 feet
and the reef is being drained to that depth... 1
1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, November 1860