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sandstone
layers received, appeared to have been more pronounced in its effect as
1 proceeded northwards. The ordinary so-called north-and-south-lode
systems run more nearly north-west than observable further south, and
the cross-lode feature (as at the Moonambel Company's lode) is more in
evidence. Rich deposits of gold have heen mined from one cross lode, in
particular, which traverses the ridge of the Spenser range. Indeed,
this occurrence is but one in a system of cross lodes, all of which
have been opened on payable stone. There does not appear to have been
any attempt made to follow the gold-slate with its "indicator channels"
down at points of contact of the latter with these cross
lodes—veritable catchments as the latter are for the gold of the
channels. There is a very wide belt of slate country running through
this Spenser range about 20° to the west of north. It has numerous
auriferous north-and-south lodes in it, and the system of cross lodes
also ; and one main shaft could be sunk in a position to suit the lot.
Dyke material is to be seen everywhere through these mountains; and
here, as usual, I noted it on the mullock heaps of old shallow works.
About half-a-mile to the south, a, Mr. Harvey has a little 4-head mill
at wrork. with two large wheel grinders, and two cyanide
vats. When not crushing he puts in his time treating the sand of past
crushings.
To
the west of the town an immense outcrop of quartz is to be seen. It is
encased in the usual gold-slate, and, as far as its structural
arrangement can be judged from the surface, it is very probable that it
has a favoured situation in its ''makes" at-no great depth. A little
west of south from this formation an immense line of dyke, associated
with gold-slate and quartz lode formations, is to be seen, and here
mining has been carried on to a depth of about 500 feet, by small
parties in the first place, and later by a company, in 100 shares,
known as the Isis. The main shaft was sunk 175 feet vertically, and
thence on the underlay of the formation for a further distance of about
375 feet, at which depth the quartz is said to have yielded about S dwts.
to the ton, the battery sand afterwards yielding about the same. The
"make"' met with at the 500-ft. level proved to be about 206 feet in
length, with an average width of about 5 feet ; 200 feet east of the
shaft, and at the surface, a "make'' was discovered which yielded 40
ozs. gold per ton, but the stone pinched at 25 feet down, and was never
met with again. A drive was then taken east from the 175-ft. level in
search for this rich shallow stone, and the stone met with proved to be
hardly payable. It is doubtful, however, whether or not the stone met
with represented a continuation of the rich "make" met writh
above. The company appears to have had little idea as to the relation
of the lode structure of its area with its points of greatest
deposition of gold, but it is probable, judging by surface indications,
that the shallow-level gold occurrences represent the lower part of a
favoured situation (pitching south as usual), while the works at 500
feet down appear to have entered a lower zone of golden deposit. The
locality is one of the most promising of Stuartmill, and worthy of
comprehensive and vigorous attention.
To
the south of the Isis, old ruins mark the position of a mine known as
the Lancashire. The works have been taken to 100 feet on narrow stone,
said to have been very rich near the surface. The gold-slate and the
dyke material are present. Indeed this gold-slate, associated with
quartz formations and dyke material, is to be seen everywhere in these
mineral-soaked mountains, but the stillness of the wilderness denotes
that the real quartz miner has not arrived yet.
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