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

June 1864.
June 1864:
In consequence of the almost total absence of water for washing, the auriferous washdirt has been
for some time past, and still largely stacked awaiting the coming rain. The expense of carting the
washdirt to the only water now to be obtained, the Yarraberb Station precludes any but the holders
of rich claims. While Elysian Flat is again receiving population, caused by new finds to the east of
Raywood, Sebastian opening again for gold to the south, Comoroka, about 10 miles to the NE, and
the Raywood lead rich to the west towards the plains, I cannot refrain from submitting to you my
opinion which is borne out by many intelligent miners, that this portion of the division will, this
winter, support a large population. Nuggets have been constantly found varying from 2oz. to
110ozs. and although the deep leads promises favourably, I am of opinion that a plentiful supply of
water will open up a large amount of surface diggings, in fact, nuggets have been found in Sailor’s
Gully 45ozs. in weight only 6 inches from the surface. 1
Kangaroo Flat Subdivision [H C Campbell]
The population is as follows:
European Chinese
Alluvial miners 1,000 720
Quartz miners 970
1,970 720
The machinery is as follows:
Alluvial mining:
Horse puddling mills at work, 320 at work, 190 idle at work
Quartz mining:
Steam engines crushing, 36 at work, 4 idle, about 500 head of stamps, and 800hp
Whims, 43 at work, 10 idle
Total value of mining plant in the subdivision, £80,000
Number of square miles of alluvial ground, which is being, or may have been worked upon, 5
Number of distinct quartz reefs which have been proved to be auriferous to the present time, 55
Some activity has been displayed in quartz mining; several reefs that were abandoned are again
being worked... The reason that these reefs are being again taken up is, that crushing is cheaper
now than it was, and labour is both cheaper and more abundant. The return I send of the quantity
of quartz crushed and the yield of gold, by no means represents the whole amount; inasmuch as
many of the private companies object to give a statement of what they do; there are some of these
who have crushed a large quantity of very rich stone. There is, in this division, an almost unlimited
amount of quartz, that would give a handsome return if properly and economically worked; but a
very large portion of the reefs is held by persons of limited means who, unless they are fortunate
enough at the onset to strike rich stone, cannot afford to work, and either keep under protection or
abandon their claims altogether. As regards alluvial mining, more is now doing in consequence of
there being more water than in the summer months; no new ground has been discovered. 2
Eaglehawk Subdivision
The total number of miners is as follows:
European Chinese Total for the Subdivision
Alluvial miners 3,000 650 3,650
Quartz miners 1,400 1,400
Total 4,400 650 5,050
In my last report I stated that an improvement had taken place, that the number of miners in this
division had considerably increased, and that more confidence and energy were displayed by the
various owners of quartz claims in this district than had been exhibited for some time previously.
The result of this has been a more thorough working of the different mines, a more energetic
prospecting of the country, and the opening up of several new reefs, and the reworking of others
long abandoned as unremunerative, the yields from which have amply rewarded their enterprising
proprietors. The Apollo Hill offers an instance of this, the new reef there discovered having
averaged one ounce to the ton with a considerable body of stone. While alluvial mining (except in
the deep lead at Huntly) is comparatively neglected, quartz mining is making rapid strides,
machinery has been introduced by most of the companies, and a more economical and efficient
system of management is adopted than in former times.
Among the various companies none stand more conspicuous for their success than the Catherine
Reef United; the crushings from this company’s mine, for the last three months, have been upwards
1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1864
2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1864