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

June 1881: Sandhurst Division [N G Stephens]. The dividends paid in this division during the past halfyear
amount to the large sum of £136,000, or at a rate of over a quarter of a million sterling per
annum. The Shenandoah Company have discovered a saddle-formed reef in their 877-foot cross-cut
east (no. 13 level) ... A rock borer is driving the level north. ... The adjoining claim to the south (the
New Chum Railway Company) has developed a rich reef at 840 feet in depth; from it 28 tons of
quartz have been raised, which yielded 2920zs. of gold ... This claim contained rich reefs near the
surface, and it affords another example of rich shallow reefs overlying no less rich reefs at great
depths. This company also employs a rock-borer to drive levels north and south on the reef, obtaining
the motive power from the air compressor belonging to the Shenandoah Company. Koch’s Pioneer
and the Windmill Hill companies are both driving cross-cuts east at 400 and 600 feet respectively.
The former company is constructing their cross-cut with a boring machine, and is driving a level at
1300 feet in depth with a second rock-borer. The mining companies here generally are becoming
alive to the importance of thoroughly testing the ground on both sides of their shafts, convinced of
the desirability of so by the splendid reefs discovered by that means in the Ellenborough and the
United Hustler’s and Redan mines. The Confidence Extended Company, on the Windmill Hill,
supplies another instance of s gold-bearing reef having been discovered by cross-cutting a greater
distance into the strata than usual. The results of the enterprise of the Ellenborough Company are
still conspicuous in the Eaglehawk portion of this division. Numerous shafts continue to be sunk,
cross-cuts to be driven, and new machinery to be erected; and no doubt a lengthened period of
prosperity is dawning for many mines in the vicinity of the Ellenborough, in consequence of the
works of this mine proving that the formation of auriferous quartz is not of limited extent. Quite
recently it was estimated that 2,000 tons of vein-stuff fell from the roof of this mine, which showed
that the quartz still higher up was increasing in width, and also continued to be auriferous. Aircompressing
and rock-drilling machines are here at work, and they must continue to reduce the time
considerably that would otherwise be occupied in reaching and developing the continuations of many
of the rich reefs. Several mining ventures have been started to work the reefs at Sebastian and
vicinity, some of which paid good dividends. The quantity of water sold during the quarter for
mining purposes was 88,500,000 gallons. 1
Sept 1881: Sandhurst Division [N G Stephens].... there is evidence displayed of more perfect confidence in the
future prosperity of mining than at any time in the past. The practical proof of the correctness of this
view is provided by the continuous outlay of capital in machinery of all kinds - from expensive
tramways to the erection of large and more powerful winding engines capable of working to depths
below 2,000 feet. In addition, the number of boring machines, for blasting, continues to increase. In
this district it is becoming daily evident that mining is steadily assuming a more scientific industrious
aspect; and it is worthy to note that our miners and mining managers are in request in New South
Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and India. Attention, in mining circles, is still mainly bestowed on
the development of the large and rich formation on Snob’s Hill, Eaglehawk. In cross-cutting, at 180
feet, the Union Jack Company, Golden Gully, have good indications; and in the Lady Barkly
Company’s mine, at Eaglehawk, an auriferous reef, 4 feet wide, was found in cross-cutting at 180
feet. The Great Northern Company at Eaglehawk discovered an auriferous saddle-formed reef
beneath the old formation, which was worked previously; the claims on that line having been lying
idle until recently. The Victoria Reef Gold Mining Company also discovered a new gold bearing
reef, by cross-cutting, at 1,160 feet. New winding machinery is being erected by the New St. Mungo
Company, and a large plant is in course of erection on the Sheepshead line of reef. This reef has been
almost abandoned for many years. The enterprise of our local capitalists extends even to
Kamarooka, where the old Homeward Bound Reef has again been taken up, and work resumed. In
alluvial mining there is little to remark upon, except that the Loyal Liberal Company, at Huntly, have
obtained a good prospect ... This claim is situated close to the Bagshot Paddock, and is on the old
Huntly Deep Lead ... In the same locality Mr. Britt has floated a company, and should they obtain
payable stuff, it will give great impetus to mining at Huntly. I might add that several experiments
have recently been made here with an explosive named “explosive gelatine” which have proved
satisfactory. The Great Southern Company have adopted Needle’s patent gas, and have the various
buildings connected with their pumping, winding and crushing machinery lighted up with it, and, so
far, it has given them so much satisfaction that the directors intend having it laid on to all of their
plats and permanent levels. I am informed that companies using air compressors for rock drills can
utilise the arrangement for making gas instead of using air pumps. The quantity of water sold during
the past quarter for mining purposes was 107,000.000 gallons. 2
1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1881
2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Sept 1881